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Chintamani Temple, Theur
Shri Chintamani · 5th Ashtavinayak · Maharashtra
॥ ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥
The Chintamani Temple at Theur, near Pune, is the fifth of the eight Ashtavinayak and the one sought for peace of mind. Here Ganesha is Chintamani — the lord who removes chinta, worry — having recovered the wish-granting Chintamani jewel for the sage Kapila, and the shrine is bound to the saint Morya Gosavi and the Peshwa dynasty that revered him.
The jewel that ends worry
The legend tells that the greedy prince Guna stole the wish-fulfilling Chintamani jewel from the sage Kapila; Ganesha recovered it and, though Kapila placed it back upon the god, the place became known as the shrine of Chintamani. To worship here is to lay down anxiety at the feet of the lord who removes it.
Morya Gosavi and the Peshwas
Theur is closely tied to the 17th-century saint Morya Gosavi, a great devotee of Ganesha, and through him to the Peshwa rulers of Pune, who were ardent patrons of the shrine. Madhavrao I, the Peshwa, spent his last days here and died at Theur; his queen Ramabai performed sati nearby, and their devotion shaped the temple’s history.
A temple on the river meadows
The wooden-and-stone temple stands amid the meadows where the Mula and Mutha rivers meet, with a central hall and a black-stone sanctum housing the left-trunked swayambhu image. Its closeness to Pune makes it one of the busiest of the eight on weekends and festival days.
How to reach Theur
- By road: Theur is about 25 km from Pune, near Loni Kalbhor off the Pune–Solapur road.
- By train: Pune and Loni are the nearest railheads.
- By air: Pune Airport is about 30 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ashtavinayak is Theur?
Theur’s Chintamani Temple is the fifth of the eight Ashtavinayak, where Ganesha is worshipped as Chintamani, the remover of worry.
Why is the deity called Chintamani?
Ganesha recovered the wish-fulfilling Chintamani jewel for the sage Kapila from the greedy prince Guna, and so is honoured here as the lord who takes away chinta (worry).
What is the Peshwa connection to Theur?
The Peshwa rulers of Pune were great devotees of the shrine through the saint Morya Gosavi. The Peshwa Madhavrao I died at Theur, and the dynasty richly patronised the temple.
Where is the Chintamani temple located?
It stands at Theur, about 25 km from Pune, on the meadows where the Mula and Mutha rivers meet.
How do I reach Theur?
Theur is about 25 km from Pune near Loni Kalbhor, off the Pune–Solapur road. Pune is the nearest railway station and airport.
What is the main festival at Theur?
Ganesh Chaturthi (Bhadrapada) and Ganesh Jayanti (Magha) are the main festivals, when the riverside temple draws large crowds from nearby Pune.
॥ गणपति बाप्पा मोरया ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Position | 5th of the eight Ashtavinayak |
| Deity | Ganesha as Chintamani (remover of worry) |
| Legend | Recovered the Chintamani jewel for sage Kapila |
| Linked to | Saint Morya Gosavi and the Peshwas |
| River | Mula–Mutha confluence |
| Main Festival | Ganesh Chaturthi |