Siddhivināyaka Temple at Śrīkṣetra Siddhatek celebrates both the Chaturthis (Fourth day of bright & dark half) of the month. Bhādrapada Shuddha Pratipada to Panchami (First to fifth day of Bright half of the Bhādrapada month) & Magh Shuddha Pratipada to Panchami (First to fifth day of Bright half of the Magh month) are Gaṇeśa Jayanti (birth) Festivals which are celebrated annually.
During this festival period after Maha Puja, Lord Śrī Siddhivināyaka is dressed up in an apparel and decorated with various traditional ornaments. Kirtan (Musical praise of God) of Śrī Gaṇeśa birth ceremony is organized.
Descendants of Mahasadhu Śrī Morya Gosavi and Inamdar Family of Siddhatek, a large number of villagers along with honorable members of the Deo family are present on this occasion. Palkhi (palanquin) festival starts around 5:30 and 6:00 in the evening. The Silver idol of Lord Gaṇeśa donated by Haripant Phadke, a Chieftain of the Peshwas is placed in a palanquin. As Śrī Inamdar is a member of honor, the palanquin is worshiped & moved after his arrival.
The Bankar family has the honor of holding Abdagiri (An ornamented umbrella borne over Kings or Deities in a procession) in this palanquin ceremony. The Shendge family has the honor of holding Palitas (cloth rolled compactly steeped in oil or gunpowder, to serve as a firestick). The Joshi family of Śrīkṣetra Siddhatek has the honor of serving as Chopdars (Mace Bearers) in front of the palanquin. Whereas the Kalaskar family has the honor of Chowrie (The tail of Domestic yak used to whisk off flies) on the palanquin. In this manner, the tradition of uniting all the prominent families of the village with the festival is of the utmost significance.
This festival is celebrated by people of all ages by chanting various verses, hymns, etc. In front of various houses in the village, rangolis are drawn in the joy of Lord Siddhivināyaka coming home. Flags are hoisted. The palanquin rests between all the necks on the circumambulation path. In each temple, worship of that particular temple deity is performed. Aarti, Pada-compositions on Bhagwan etc. are sung there. All people gathered there hail Lord’s Name as palanquin marches on. Villagers are always eager to experience this Palkhi ceremony which is very delightful to watch. Many Gaṇeśa devotees from outside the village visit Śrīkṣetra Siddhatek on this occasion to enjoy this palanquin ceremony. On the day of Chaturthi, the honor to perform the entire palanquin ceremony has been given to the family of Mr. Nalge Patil. The palanquin completes its course through the circumambulatory path and again comes in front of the main temple.
At night, traditional hymns of Śrī Moraya Gosavi Maharaj are sung. Mahaprasad is organized on Panchami (fifth day). As such the Palkhi ceremony of this special festival is a distinct attraction of Śrīkṣetra Siddhatek.
After completing the Yātrā to Śrī Kṣetra Morgaon in the month of Magh, Śrī Maṁgalamūrtī goes to Śrī Kṣetra Theur. On Magha Shuddha Navami (ninth day of bright half of the Magha Month) Lord Śrī Maṁgalamūrtī arrives at Śrī Kṣetra Siddhatek after gathering with Śrī Cintāmaṇi.
Śrī Maṁgalamūrtī is welcomed in Śrī Siddhivināyaka Temple with bells and percussion from the village border. On this occasion various compositions composed by Śrī Moraya Gosavi Maharaj are sung in the presence of Śrī Deo Maharaj. On the next day, Lord Śrī Siddhivināyaka and Lord Śrī Maṁgalamūrtī are worshiped jointly and those scenes enriches the lives of the devotees. Mahaprasad is distributed by Chinchwad Deosthan Trust to all the villagers and devotees. Later in the afternoon, Lord Śrī Maṁgalamūrtī leaves for Chinchwad. Many Gaṇeśa devotees make special efforts to attend this ceremony of worshiping both idols.
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