For millions of residents and visitors in Mumbai, the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple in Prabhadevi is more than just a landmark; it is the spiritual heartbeat of the city. Every day, thousands line up for hours just to catch a glimpse of the deity. However, devotees planning a pilgrimage early next year will need to adjust their schedules. The temple administration has announced that the sanctum sanctorum will remain closed to the public for five days in January to facilitate the sacred ‘Sindoor Lepan’ ritual.
Understanding the Closure
According to the official schedule released by the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust (SSGT), the temple will remain closed for darshan from January 7 to January 11. This pause is not for structural renovation, but for the spiritual and physical maintenance of the idol itself. The Sindoor Lepan Vidhi is a traditional and intricate process where the idol is coated with a fresh layer of sindoor (vermilion).
This ritual is essential for the preservation of the deity’s form and is treated with the utmost sanctity. Because the process requires precision and time for the application to set, the idol cannot be exposed to the public or subjected to the usual hustle of daily worship during this period.
Key Dates and Timings for Devotees
To avoid disappointment, the Lokmaha News team advises all devotees to carefully note the specific timings of the closure and reopening:
- January 7: Devotees can take darshan as usual until 8:00 PM. Following this, the temple doors will close, and the preparatory rituals will begin.
- January 8 to January 11: The temple will remain completely closed to the public for the duration of the Sindoor Lepan. No darshan will be permitted during these days.
- January 12: The wait ends in the afternoon. The temple will reopen its doors at 1:00 PM, resuming both Ganesh Darshan and Mukh Darshan for the faithful.
Planning Your Visit
The Siddhivinayak Temple is one of the most visited shrines in India, often seeing massive crowds particularly on Tuesdays. The trust has issued this advance notice to ensure that travelers coming from outside Mumbai, as well as locals who visit regularly, do not arrive at Prabhadevi only to find the gates shut.
While the temporary closure may cause a slight disruption to daily routines, the ritual ensures that the deity continues to be preserved in its traditional glory for generations of worshippers to come. Devotees are encouraged to plan their visits for the afternoon of January 12 onwards, when the temple returns to its bustling, spiritual normalcy.
