Shri Chintamani Ashtavinayak, Theur, Pune District, Maharashtra

Situated in the village of Theur in Pune district, the temple of Chintamani Vinayak is famous as a Ashta Vinayak shrine and is believed to free devotees from all of their tensions. Hence the name.  Lord Brahma is believed to have experienced tranquility here and as such, the place is considered very sacred and powerful. The Lord’s eyes here, as is the case with most of the eight shrines are studded with precious stones, faces east and the trunk inclined to the left. The complex also houses the shrine of Lord Shiva and also is built on the ancient design whereby a separate space is allocated for meditation. The place is referred to as an Overry.

History
The temple has undergone many enhancements over the years and may have been built in the seventeenth century by Dharanidhar Maharaj Dev of the Moraya Gosavi lineage. A hundred years later the outer wooden hall was built by Shrimant Madhavarao Peshwa while the crest was gilded recently. Records indicate that Madhavarao died at a young age from tuberculosis around 1772 CE.

Legends
Legend has it that there used to live in the region a great king by the name Abhijeet. The king had no children and was very disturbed by the fact. Upon the advice of sage Vaisampayana, the king and queen underwent a severe penance and were blessed with a son, whom they named Gana. The lad was very gifted and was once invited to the hermitage of sage Kapila. The Sage played a great host and served Ganaraja with the best of everything with the help of a powerful gem called Chintamani. The opportunistic Ganaraja desirous of the gem forcibly took possession of it after sage Kapila refused to part with it. A dejected sage Kapila prayed to Goddess Durga and was adviced by her to worship Lord Ganesha. True to her words, after sage Kapila pleased Lord Ganesha with his devotion, the Lord fought with Ganaraja here and brought back the precious gem to sage Kapila. The sage no longer interested in the gem, presented it to the Lord and hence the Lord came to known here as Chintamani. The town of Theur is also known as Kadambanagar as according the legend the battle between the Lord and Ganaraja took place under a Kadamba tree.

Festivals
As with all Ashta Vinayak temples, the days from Pratipada to Saptami in the month of Bhadrapada or August/September and the first eight days of Magha or January/February are celebrated with special rituals and religious fervor.

Places of Interest
The Ashta Vinayak Pilgrimage consists of seeking the blessings of all the eight Ashta Vinayak shrines.

Accommodation
Pune is just a hour’s drive and offers a wide array of accommodative options.