Ganpati Bapa Morya (Shivangi Bhotika)

On a rainy Sunday, people like to sleep late or go for breakfast to their favourite restaurants, but it was surprising to see most of the people of Mumbai shouting enthusiastically “Ganpati Bapa Morya” The whole atmosphere was of a divine serenity state. When one goes there, one feels at peace even if there is noise or chaos, the feeling in the temple and the closeness that one can feel towards God cannot be described in words.

This temple of Ganpati Bapa not only attracts common people, but it also attracts famous celebrities. The news of Rahul Mahajan and Dimpy Ganguly’s split was all over the news, and so, to get public attention, this newly wedded couple was spotted at the temple with media around them, trying to get their picture. The end news that was out, the next day in the paper, was of Rahul Mahajan and Dimpy Ganguly at the temple to thank god for saving their marriage. So Ganpati Bapa helps every one, be it the rich or poor.

This place is not only a place where people go to worship, but also where many other people, like the poor section of the society earn their living, like some sell flowers, some sweets, some offer to help people to get a ‘VIP darshan’, some offer to keep shoes and some even offer to hold umbrella if one is standing in the line and it starts raining heavily. This is amazing because people just find employment opportunity in any way or state or place. If one has to see the spirit of Mumbai, one should definitely go to ‘Siddhi Vinayak Temple’. The joy and enthusiasm with which people go to the temple is incredible and it’s really amazing to see them.

As the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi is coming closer, people of Mumbai are getting more and more enthusiastic and they have already started preparing for it. It’s just the beginning, during the festival there is no place left for people even to stand, there is a mad rush in the temple. People fight just to get the glimpse of the god.

This place also brings different people together, while waiting in the line and when one is all-alone one tends to start talking to a stranger and get to know that person in the bargain. “I am new in Mumbai and I have got married here and I have come here with my husband for the first time and I really like the place.” Says Priyanka Gandhi an IT consultant. Sidhivinayak gets a donation of 100-150 million every year and this makes it the richest temple of Mumbai. It is also found out the trust of the temple mismanage the donation.

Therefore Sdihivinayak temple is the heart of Mumbai and in a way it brings the people of Mumbai together.