Annual Festivals in Siddhatek

Ganesh Jayanthi (Birthday of Shri Ganesha)

This festival is celebrated twice a year, from the 1st (Sh)day to 5th (Sh) day of Bhadrapada month and 1st (Sh)day to 5th (Sh) day of Magha month.

Naivedya during the festival:

First three day the regular naivedya is offered. On Chaturthi, special naivedya of 5 sweets are offered.

Schedule during the festival:

The activities are as usual till 12 noon even during festivals.

From the Pratipada (1st day) to Tritiya (3rd day) pooja is performed at 6 P.M. The Lord is adorned with Poshak. The Bhogamurthi (Lord in the palanquin) is also adorned. On that day the naivedya is offered at 7.30 P.M. The palkhi (palanquin) procession begins at 8 P.M and returns at 9 P.M.

On Chaturthi, after the morning pooja, the Abhishekas are performed from 8 A.M to 9 A.M. Mahapooja is performed from 9.30 A.M to 10.30 A.M and 10.30 A.M to 12.30 P.M. This mahapooja is performed by Siddhatekkar Maharajdev – Jahagirdar. This pooja is a hereditary honor conferred to them. The Mahanaivedya is offered. Then Keertan of Ganesh Jayanthi and Ganesha’s birth follows from 12 noon to 1 P.M.

On this day, the palkhi procession of Siddhivinayaka begins at 5 P.M. Various sports (khel) are exhibited. The palkhi is welcomed by the people of the village by performing aarti. The procession comes to end with the palkhi entering into the premises of the temple and kapur (camphor) aarti. All the dignitaries are served tea and the program concludes.

The evening pooja is Alankar Pooja with Poshakha at 10 P.M. The aarti is performed at 12 A.M. At 2.30 A.M. the Mahaaarti is performed; the specialty of this aarti is that Shri Moraya Gosavi has created 21 poetic verses, they are sung in this aarti, this aarti lasts till 6 – 6.30 A.M. in the morning.

On the 5th day (Panchami) the festival concludes with Mahaprasada. On every festival the temple organizes Alamkar Pooja in the evening at 8 P.M.

On Somavati Amavasya (full) the god is taken in palanquin to bathe in river Bheema.

Singing of the padas on festivals and their order:

On pratipada (1st day) 5 verses are sung. On the 2nd day, 7 verses are sung. On 3rd day, 11 verses. Later there is Shej aarti and the temple closes. This program lasts till 12 midnight.