Siddhivinayak Temple goes tech savvy...

Font Size

Print

Feedback

Email

Discuss

Mumbai’s most revered temple, Siddhivinayak, has jumped on to the product modernisation bandwagon. It will soon offer non-toxic (lead-free) tilak (vermilion), as well as facilities for e-pooja, e-shopping and external audit.

The temple trustees have decided to market tilak in the name of ‘Siddhivinayak Sindoor’. The vermilion will be available in three fragrances namely kewda, sandalwood and rose and will be priced competitively compared to counterparts available in the market. Ravi Bhandari, a temple trustee, told FE that the product had been approved after six months of extensive research. Vermilion, available in the market at present, contained lead that made it toxic, Mr Bhandari said.

Every Tuesday, over five lakh Lord Ganesha devotees come for darshan, of while on Angaraki Chaturthi, a record 10 to 20 lakh devotees visit the temple.

Sanjay Bhagwat, chief executive officer, Siddhivinayak Temple Trust said the trustees were working out marketing and distribution strategies.

The trustees have also undertaken e-initiatives wherein devotees from any part of the world can send donations online with the help of cash card and text messages. Temple trustees also offer webcam service. “Ours is the only temple which webcasts the puja live,” says Mr Bhagwat.

With two webcams installed in the sanctorum, devotees can log on to the temple website and see the puja being performed live. The temple has an official website that allows devotees to book a puja online or through e-mail. The trustees will soon initiate e-shopping wherein products other than the sindoor can be booked online.

This apart, the temple trust has recently tied up with a mobile content provider for a service where people can send their prayers via SMS. Says Mr Bhagwat: “Technology has become a vital part of everyone’s life and the latest service we have started is to make praying convenient for people who may not be able to visit the temple.” He said the temple had received more than 10,000 SMSes in the first week itself.