The Siddhivinayak temple of Siddatek is one of the eight holy shrines of Ashtavinayaka. It is located on the northern bank of the river Bhima in Siddhatek in Jarjat Taluk of Ahmednagar district. The temple is dedicated to the God of Wisdom, Lord Ganesha and it is only Ashtavinayak temple in the Ahmednagar district. This temple is the second one to be visited in the Ashtavinayak circuit after Moregaon. The temple is situated on a hill surrounded by thick flora of Babul trees and the devotees perform the pradakshina around the hillock seven times to please the God. The Ganesha idol here sits with the trunk turned to the right which is quite unusual. This is the only deity among the ashtavinayak deities with the trunk turned to the right. Ganesha with the trunk turned to the right is said to be very powerful and at the same time difficult to please. The idol with the trunk to the right is called Siddhivinayak which means giver of Siddhi (success, accomplishments).
Accroding to the stories related in Mudgala Purana, at the beginning of Creation, Brahma emerged from the lotus which rose from the navel of Vishnu sleeping in the Yoganidra. When Brahma started creating the universe two demons Madhu and Kaitabha rose from the dirt in Vishnu’s ears. The two demons started creating problems to Brahma and Vishnu had wake up because of the disturbance. Vishnu started the war with the demons but was not able to defeat the demons. Vishnu was surprised and asked Lord Shiva for the reason and Shiva informed that He is not able to defeat the demons because Vishnu had not pleased Ganesha who is the God of beginning and obstacle removal. Vishnu performed a penance at Siddhatek and pleased Ganesha with his mantra. Ganesha granted his blessing and different powers and Vishnu defeated the demon. The place where Vishnu received the Siddhis was later known as Siddhatek.
