The
Chintamani Vinayak temple at Thevoor
is located in the vinicity of Pune.
Thevoorcha
Shri Chintaamani is considered to be one of the
Ashta Vinayak shrines of Maharashtra, celebrating
eight instances of legends related to Ganesha.
The
legend surrounding this temple centers around the
Chintaamani gem. Sage Kapila was in possession of
a gem by name Chintaamani which was capable of granting
one's desires. He was visited by a young prince
(son of Gunavati and Abhijita) by name Guna. The
sage invoked the powers of the gem and created a
sumptuous meal for the prince. The prince enamored
by the power of the gem, stole it from the sage.
A hurt Kapila Muni prayed to Vinayaka for help.
Vinayaka restored the gem from the prince, however
the sage refused to accept it, and began to rever
Vinayaka as Chintaamani Vinayaka.
Legend
has it that Kapila Muni had received this gem from Shiva
after worshipping him at Talaiaalankaadu near Thanjavur
in Tamilnadu. It is believed that he had walked on his head
to reach the shrine and hence the tamil name Talaiaalankaadu
(talai - head). (Also see Kapilarmalai Murugan temple in
Tamilnadu).
The
Temple: An
east facing image of Ganesha, is enshrined in this temple
which has interesting features such as gold inlays. This
temple is closely associated with the Maratha ruler Madhavrao
Peshwa.
In Bhadrapada
from Pratipada to Saptami and another in Magh are
celebrated in Theur on grand scale. In those days
Ganesh idols in the nearby temples are worshipped
and offered naivedyam. This is called as Dwaryatra.
On Sankashti and Angaraki people
donate food. They have been provided with equipment
for preparing food. Rama Madhav death anniversary
is celebrated here on Kartik Vadya Ashtami on large
scale.
Morya Gosavi of Chinchwad
performed penances in the forest of Theur. As a result Shree
Ganesh emerged in the guise of two Tigers.
1. Shri Chintamani is a family of God
of Shreemant Madhavrao Peshwa. His palace was near the temple
and now it is converted into garden. Madhavrao Peshwe had
stayed in this palace in his last sickness. He renovated
the temple and performed various religious programmes in
the temple. By chanting Gajanan, Gajanan he bestowed his
life on the foot of the Chintamani. Ramabai, wife of Madhavrao
Peshwe became Sati (she burnt herself with the corpse of
her husband). On that place, that is, on the bank of Mula-Mutha
river Sati's Vrindavan is built. That day was 18-11-1772,
Kartik Vadya Ashtami. On this day Rama-Madhav death anniversary
is celebrated every year.
2. It is said that Emperor Aurangzeb
had given grant to this temple. Nowadays administration
of this temple is governed by Chinchwad Temple Trust.
3 . appropriate donations Abhishek, Ekadashi, Sahastravartana,
etc. are done by Poojari. Prasad and Angara (wholy ashes)
are sent by post.
