Mumbai: Siddhivinayak temple to remain closed till January 14

Mumbai: Devotees would not be able to seek blessings at Siddhivinayak temple in Prabhadevi for the next four days. The temple would remain closed for application of new layer of ‘sindoor’ or vermilion and would reopen on January 15, the trust said on Wednesday.

“The temple would remain closed till Sunday and would begin the ‘darshan’ after noon from Monday post prayers. The move was also taken in order to prepare for Maaghi Ganeshotsav, which falls in February,” said Aadesh Bandekar, chairman of the Siddhivinayak Trust. Maaghi Ganeshotsav will be celebrated on January 21.

Thousands of people throng the temple to seek blessings on Maaghi Ganeshotsav, also known as Ganesh Jayanti. The festival is celebrated on the fourth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Maagh, as per the almanac. Even though the celebrations are nowhere as big as Ganesh Chaturthi, many believe that Ganesh Jayanti is more important day than Ganesh Chaturthi. Replica of the idol will be available for `darshan’ for devotees.