One of the most famous temples of Ganesh in Maharashtra is the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai. Considered to be a rich temple, millions of Bhaktas visit the temple every year. The earlier temple structure is said to be 200-years-old. The temple was completely renovated in 1990. Spaces on the ground floor are created for the gathering of large masses and for the pooja at various levels. However, unlike any other temple of India the spaces required for Mahaprasad distribution and kitchen are on the upper floors. The first floor of the temple is a mezzanine floor mainly used for pooja and darshan. The second floor houses the kitchen used to make Shree’s Maha Naivedya (offering) and a restroom. Office of CEO, conference halls, seminar rooms and other spaces are designed for the contemporary management style of the temple.
Perfect crowd management through architectural spaces is demonstrated in this temple structure. The architectural expression and the elevation of the temple are fully blocked by the canopies and covered surrounding open spaces. The courtyard is full of small shops of pooja material vendors.
As one approaches the temple, it is only the crowd that is seen and experienced. This is the scenario in most of the famous temples of India. The role of an architect in such temple design is to manage the fast movement of the crowd and not as normally envisaged to design the external façade and the so-called aesthetics associated with it.
Temple structures are changing with the changing requirements of society. However, the core value of bhakti bhav is eternal.
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