Chintamani Ganpati Temple

The Chintamani Ganpati temple in Theur is the fifth Ganesha temple to be visited during the Asthavinayak Darshan tour. Theur (Theyoor) is situated at a distance of 22 Km from Pune City and is in Haveli taluk of Pune district in Maharashtra.

At Theyoor in the Haveli Taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra is the Ashtavinayak temple dedicated to Chintamani Ganpati. Theur itself is an important mythological place located at the confluence of three major regional rivers i.e. Bhima, Mula and Mutha. Lord Ganesha as Chintamani is god who brings peace of mind and drives away all perplexities of the mind.

At Chintamani Ganpati Temple, the idol of the deity is swayambhu (self-emanated) and is east facing called purvabhimukha, with his trunk turned left and beautiful diamonds studded in his eyes. The idol is in a cross-legged seated position.

Shri Daharnidhar Maharaj Devji, from the family-lineage of Maurya Gosaviji, constructed the famous Chintamani Ganapati Temple at Theur. After hundred years, Madhavrao Peshwa erected the Sabhamandap of the temple. A few years ago the shikhar (crest), of the temple was anointed in gold.

As Peshwas visited these place very frequently, the two 5 metal bell bought from Europe from the church was one kept in Mahad and other one was kept here. As after the death of Madhav Rao Peshwa, his wife went for sati, the beautiful garden was made in her memory is very attractive to see.

Described as “one of the larger and more famous” of the Ashtavinayaka temples, the temple’s main gate located to the North is relatively smaller compared to the scale of the temple, however the central icon of Chintamani Ganpati faces East. The temple has a wooden Sabha-mandapa (assembly hall), which was built by Madhavrao. The hall also has a black stone water fountain in it. Besides the central shrine dedicated to Ganesha, there are number of smaller shrines in the temple complex: Mahadeva (Shiva) temple, Vishnu-Lakshmi temple, Hanuman temple etc. Behind the temple is the Peshwa Wada – the Peshwa Palace. Once the residence of Madhavrao, today the day-to-day activities of the temple are carried from this place.

One of the interesting things about the temple is that it offers special secluded room for those interested in meditation. It is called as a Overry. This type of separate sections or rooms presently can only be found in the older temples in India.