Category Archives: Ganesha Shrines in Kanpur
Stamp of nationalism in Sutarkhana temple
Some customs often go a long way in making places of religious importance very sacred. One such custom is in existence at city’s renowned Siddhi Vinayak temple situated in Sutarkhana area at Ghantaghar. Here devotees whisper their wishes in the ear of Mushak (brass made mouse) sitting outside the temple and they believe that Ganpati will surely fulfill it as the wishes would be forwarded to him by his favourite Mushaka.
Apart from this special custom, this Siddhi Vinayak temple is also famous for being one of its own kinds in the entire state.
From having religious importance, the Siddhi Vinayak temple situated in the industrial city is also having a significant role in the struggle for Indian independence.
The city’s only Ganpati temple at Ghantaghar, established by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1918 was deep-seated with the message of unity in diversity. This temple of Ganpati Deva, worshipped majorly in Maharashtra, being a hub of the independence struggle, witnessed many plans made by the city based revolutionaries inside its premises during the freedom movement.
Though this temple was firmed around some 92 years ago, yet it came into limelight after its re-establishment done by Satya Mitra, founder of Bharat Mata temple. He renovated this historical temple into a three floored big synagogue with nearly 50 different types of Ganpati placed in it.
This temple has been carved with innovative ideas and folklores. For those who believe that Ganpati only sits on mouse, they will see this deity riding peacock, lion and even Sheshnag.
Apart from the various statues, the temple also has a special statue of Ganpati as god of universe. “The statue depicted the fourth shloka of Ganpati sutra in which he claimed as god of universe.
The statue depicted the Ganpati as Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Durga and all the other important deity,” informed Khemchandra Gupta, one of the caretaker of the temple.
Gupta added that this big statue of Ganpati in nine forms was setup here in the temple by ‘Jagat Guru’, Shankaracharya.
According to the locals, this temple was established with the thought of spreading the message of national unity.
My Lord Ganesha 