For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts

Chintamani Temple:The Holy Dwelling Of Ganesha

By Sneha

The Chintamani temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This is located in Theur, district Pune, Maharashtra. This is also one of the Ashtvinayak temples. Dedicated to the God of prosperity, Chintamani temple is widely visited by pilgrims all round the year. Here are a few interesting facts about the temple that light interest you all the more.

Chintamani Temple

Significance

  • Chintamani temple has great religious importance. According to some of the most popular Hindu beliefs, it is so said that if you worship the great God Ganesha in the Chintamani form then you can get rid of all the worries and woes.
  • Kapila is one of the sages who was an ardent devotee of Lord Ganesha. He had a jewel named Chintamani that had wish granting abilities. The King of his territory, Ganaraja was a tyrant. He once plundered the hermitage of Kapila and took away the precious wish granting gem. Sage Kapila then prayed to Lord Ganesha to get back his gem. A thousand handed form of Ganesha Named Laksha slayed the army of Gana while he came to kill Kapila. While Ganesha himself beheaded Gana. But, Kapila Instead of keeping the gem wants the mercy of the Lord himself. He gives away the gem Chintamani to Ganesha, and that is why the name of the temple here is named after it.
  • The three main festivals of this temple are Ganesha Prakatostav (similar to Ganesh Chaturthi), Maghotsav festival (birthday of Ganesha) and Rama-Madhav Punyostav(death of one of the most beloved and well known patrons of the temple named Madhavrao and his wife Ramabai).

Structure

The main gate of this ashtvinayak temple faces north while the main deity faces east. The deity is also known as Swayambhu (something which has originated on its own). Besides the main shrine there are also a number of other shrines of Shiva, Visnu-Lakshmi, Hanuman etc. Though this temple has been there since the ancient times, the present structure has been built by the Peshawas.

Travel

Chintamani temple is just about 26 kms from Pune. Here are a few ways by which you can reach the place.

Air: The nearest airport would be Pune airport. This is an international airport and is well connected by air to the rest of the airports in the country.

Bus: Buses are available from Pune to Theur, a place which is just about 26kms away from Pune. You can also opt for a private vehicle if you like.

Train: It is better if you go through the Pune railway station which is well connected to Mumbai and all other parts of the country.

Visit this temple for a spiritual reawakening of your soul.

Story first published: Tuesday, September 11, 2012, 18:33 [IST]
Read more about: lord ganesha ganesh chaturthi