Ans. The interesting thing about this temple is that Mr. Narendrabhai Purohit, who fulfilled his mother's wish by being Shravan, is the trustee of the temple. This temple was conceived by his mother, Pujya Dahibha, which his son has fulfilled today. This temple, which has gained fame in the country and abroad, has an interesting history.
Mr. Narendrabhai Purohit's father, Mr. Maganlal Purohit, passed away when he was very young. Mr. Narendrabhai Purohit was only 3 months old at the time, and his mother, Pujya Dahibha, was now responsible for 4 daughters and 1 son. This was 67 years ago. At that time, there were no facilities. There was no one to help them from their family at that time, so it was very difficult for a middle-class family. Even in this difficult situation, they worshipped God with full devotion and had great faith in Lord Ganesha. Pujya Dahibha involved her children in it to instil these values of faith and made tireless efforts to inculcate religion in them.
Pujya Dahibha was a devout woman who was always immersed in devotion. She would often have dreams of Lord Ganesha, who would tell her to build a temple. However, her children were young and the family's financial situation was not ideal. So, Dahibha would pray to Lord Ganesha in her heart, asking him to wait until her son was settled in his job or business. She also vowed to make the temple as beautiful as possible. At that time, Narendrabhai Purohit completed his primary education in his village and secondary education in a nearby village. He came to Ahmedabad with only one pair of clothes and Rs. 100. He worked hard day and night, following the values instilled in him by his mother. He also had great faith in Lord Ganesha, which helped him to be successful in business.
When his mother told him about the dream, he decided that he would build a grand temple for Ganesha, just as his mother wanted. He began working on the temple project. He consulted with many scholars to plan the temple, and he made sure to include every detail. The only question he had was where to build the temple. He searched for seven years, but he could not find the right place. He told his wife about his dilemma, and she suggested that he pray to Lord Ganesha. So, Lord Ganesha’s prayer became a daily routine for both of them. After five months, Lord Ganesha appeared to Narendrabhai and gave him some clues about the location. Narendrabhai immediately set out to find the place. When he arrived, he found a riverbank, a white jasmine flower, and other signs that Lord Ganesha is present at this holy place. He then met with the owner of the land, and with Lord Ganesha's grace, he was able to buy the land for the temple.
Shri Siddhivinayak Temple is located on the banks of the Vatrak River and it is a source of pride for Narendrabhai Purohit, his family, and the community. It is a tribute to the love and devotion of his mother. Every brick in the temple is a testament of Pujya Dahiba’s inspiration.