The Chintamani Vinayaka is one of the Astha Vinayaka temples located at Thevoor/Theur which is 27 km from Pune.
The legend: There are two legends associated with Chintamani.
According to one legend, once Lord Brahma was feeling very restless and disturbed. So He came to this village and meditated on Lord Ganesh and Ganesha pacified Lord Brahma’s disturbed mind. The word Theur is a local variation of the Sanskrit word Sthavar meaning stable. So Lord Chintamani is said to be the God who gives peace mind.
According to another legend, Kapila Muni did great tapasya of Lord Shiva who gave him a great gem called Chintaamani which could fulfill one’s desires. Once prince Ganaraja, also called Guna visited Sage Kapila’s ashram. Kapila Muni used the powers of Chintamani to serve sumptuous food to the prince. The greedy prince forcibly took the gem away. A worried Kapila was advised by Goddess Durga to worship Lord Ganesh’s to get it back. Lord Ganesh fought Ganaraja and defeated him under a Kadamba tree, took the gem Chintamani and gave it back to Kapila Muni. The sage, instead of taking the gem, put it around Ganesha’s neck. So he became famous as Chintamani Vinayak.
The temple in its present form was build in the 18th century during the rule of the Peshwa kings. Daharnidhar Maharaj Devji, who belonged to the family of Maurya Gosaviji, constructed the temple. Chintamani Vinayaka was the family deity of Shree Madhwarao Peshwa and he erected the Sabhamandapa of the temple.
Regular Poojas are offered to Lord Ganesha by the temple priests.
The main festival here is the Ganesha Prakatostav festival. It is celebrated for seven days – from the first to the seventh day Bhadrapada month – with the Ganesh Chaturthi on the fourth day. A big fair is held during this festival.
Temple Timing are from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
How to reach:
By Road: Theur is 27 km from Pune and many buses and taxis operate from Pune and Mumbai.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Pune wich is well connected to the major Indian cities.
By Air: The nearest airport is at Pune.
Accommodation:
Theur Bhakta Niwas: The Bhakta Niwas is a decent accommodation facility at Theur run by Chinchwad Deosthan trust. It has 9 double rooms with attached toilets. Pune city 27 km away has many hotels from 5 star to budget.
