Shri Siddheshwar Mahadev Mandir was established by Param Pujya Shri Dadaji Mouni Maharaj aka Keshav Vinayak Kunte, a well known spiritual personality, in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, India in 1952.
Shri Siddheshwar Mandir is located in the city of Chhindwara. Initially the temple was constructed with bricks and had a temporary roof of galvanised tin sheets. Gradually expansions were made to the temple and the grounds, and today it stands as one of the most beautiful temples with mirrored walls, artwork doors, and serene idols. The atmosphere is filled with the sounds of softly chanted shloks and mantras. A huge, beautifully decorated Yagna mandap is located on the grounds. It is a temple in its own class not only in Chhindwara, but in the surrounding areas of Madhya Pradesh, India. Today the temple is known as Shri Siddheshwar Mahadev Mandir. It was thus named in 1956 after Dadaji did the "Shiv "Linga Sthapana". The stone for the Shiv Linga was brought by Dadaji from Varanasi when he concluded his "Moun Vrat" at Shree Kashi Vishweshwar in Varanasi, UP India. The temple's main diety is Lord Shiva, but it also houses many Hindu Gods and Goddess under one roof. There are seven small temples within the main temple, which house beautifully decorated marble idols of "Devi Durga", "Shri Krishna", "Shri Dattatreya", "Shri Narayan Maharaj", "Shri Gajanan Maharaj", "Shri Shirdi Sai Baba" and "Shri Ram,Laxman and Sita". "Shri Hanumaan" temple is situated outside within the temple grounds. The temple looks like a crystal palace (Sheesh Mahal), designed with intricate mirror-work of the finest quality. Thousands of tiny coloured mirror pieces are inlaid into walls and ceilings creating a stunning effect. This is one of the attractions for the daily stream of devotees and visitors.
The temple and its activities are managed by Shri Dadaji, who makes sure that various religious events and programmes are executed with utmost planning throughout the year. There are different religious functions happening in the temple round the year, including lectures on spiritual and mythological subjects, classical and religious music performances, by various artists and local groups. He is assisted by many volunteers in his endeavours, making these events a grand success. Shri Siddheshwar Mandir is open to all devotees for darshan and worship. Shri Dadaji Maharaj is always available for any religious consultation and guidance. In 2012 a prestigious event was celebrated by Shri Dadaji. This event was attened by thousands of devotees at Dr. Hedgewar Smriti Mandir, Reshimbagh Nagpur. "1151 Satya Narayan Poojas" were performed under one roof. This event was covered extensively by the media in their local and national networks. DADAJI MOUNI MAHARAJ (AKA Shri Keshav Vinayak Kunte)
Born on June 21st, 1923 in the city of Amravati, Maharashtra, to Shri Vinayak R. Kunte and Sou. Annapurnabai V. Kunte, and raised in Yavatmal. He studied up to the 9th grade and then completely turned towards spirituality. He renounced the material world and became an ascetic. Today he holds a saintly status not only in Chhindwara but amongst the thousands of his followers/devotees. Shri Dadaji's life effort has been devotion to God, especially Lord Shiva, also known as Shankar, Mahadev, Bholenath, Neelkanth etc. It seems that Dadaji was destined to spread spiritual awareness and improvement of life through devotion to God. He lays specific emphasis on "Namasmaran" every day. He established the Shiv Mandir in 1952. It was known as "Chaitanya Kuti" (Chaitanya meaning alert and Kuti meaning home). It was so named as per his mother's last wish. Shri Dadaji has had an inclination towards the worship of God since his childhood. As a child he frequently had dreams of a powerful personality, a saint, giving him "Guru mantra". Miraculously in 1939 the dreams turned into reality, when his mother took him to Kedgaon (near Pune, Maharashtra, India) to meet Shri Narayan Maharaj. Dadaji confirmed that Shri Narayan Maharaj was the same person he had seen in his dreams. Shri Dadaji became a Shishya of Shri Narayan Maharaj.
Shri Dadaji Maharaj is known as Mouni Maharaj because he observed complete silence,(Moun Vrat-Vow of Silence) for 14 years. He did not utter a single word since the time her was 19, until he was 33 years old [1942 -1956]. During this period he spent his time in "Tapascharya", "Sadhana" (penance, meditation) & "Gyaan sadhana". Probably a world record for observing silence for such a long period. Although there are no records. Shri Dadaji started his "Maun Vrata" from a "Lord Shiva Temple" in Nagra and concluded it at Shri Kashi Vishweshwar Temple in Varanasi. Shri Madhusudan V. Kunte(Dadaji's brother), has written and published Shri Dadaji's biography in Marathi and Hindi.