Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi - A Hindu Festival
Ganesh Chaturthi is a lively holiday that honors Lord Ganesha with prayers, celebrations, and actions that are good for the environment.
A Division of Nishnai Holidays
Ashtavinayak temples are one of the most significant temples in Maharashtra. They are eight sacred temples dedicated to Bhagwan Ganesh, the most popular deity in India. These temples are located around Pune city and can be visited in two or three days. Several tour operators offer Ashtavinayak Tour Package From Mumbai and Pune.
Among these temples, Chintamani Ganpati Temple Theur is an important one.
Chintamani Ganpati Temple Theur is the fifth temple to be visited per the traditional sequence of the AshtavinayakYatra. It is located around 30 kilometers from Pune in the Haveli Taluka. The temple is at the union of River Bhima and the conjoint of rivers Mula and Mutha.
As far as historical records are concerned, there is no evidence of when the Theur Chintamani Ganpati temple was built and who the constructor was. But it is believed that the temple has existed for ages. The main temple structure that we see today was constructed by descendants of Moraya Gosavi.
After hundred years of construction, Madhavrao Peshwa I built the Sabha mandap. He also installed a huge bell here. After the demise of Peshwa Madhavrao and Ramabai, a garden was developed on the premises.
If you see the conventional sequence of the Ashtavinayak Yatra, the Chintamani Ganpati Temple Theur is visited on the fifth number. It is located around 25 kilometers from the city of Pune. It falls in the Haveli Taluka of Pune district. The Theur Chintamani Ganpati temple is at the Sangam or conjoint of the Mula and Mutha rivers and the union of it with the river Bhima.
Since Chintamani Ganpati Theur is near Pune, you need not worry about the weather. Throughout the year, you can visit the temple anytime. In rainy seasons, it becomes inconvenient because of heavy showers sometimes. However, the main festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is the rainy season, and there is a heavy influx of devotees during that time despite heavy rains. Many people prefer going on Ashtavinayak Darshan tours during the monsoon season. It makes the tour easy.
In the summer, the heat makes the afternoon uncomfortable in Theur Ganpati Mandir. Wear a cap or sunglasses, or cover your head and ears with a scarf to avoid sunstroke.
The best time to visit Theur Chintamani Ganpati is October to March, when temperatures are moderate and pleasant. Many companies organize Shastrokta Ashtavinayak Yatra during this period.
The temple of Theur Chintamani is very well connected to big cities like Pune and Mumbai. Therefore, it is easy to reach Chintamani Ganpati Theur.
By road
As said, Chintamani Ganpati Temple Theur is nearly 25 km from Pune. You can get state-owned buses from Pune and Mumbai. Apart from that, many private buses and cars are available. People go there in their vehicles, also. One should take the Mumbai-Khandala road while traveling Ashtavinayak Yatra By Car. After Bhor ghat, the town of Theur is situated.
By rail
The nearest railway station to Theur is in Pune. The Pune station is well-connected to major Indian cities. Pune is a big junction of railways, and mail/express trains and superfast trains have their stoppage in Pune. You can go to Theur Ganpati from Pune.
By air
If you want to go to Theur by air, the nearest airport is Pune, which is connected to all major Indian cities. Lohegaon Airport, or Pune Airport, is the operational airport. Regular flights are there to Bangalore, Jaipur, Delhi, Goa, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Nagpur. There is 22 km from Pune Airport.
Timings From To
Morning Darshan 6 AM 1 PM
Evening Darshan 2 PM 10 PM
Darshan Timing on Angarkhi Chaturthi 4 AM 11 PM
Maha Aarti Timing 7:30 AM
Maha Prasad Timing 10 AM 1 PM
Madhyan Aarti Timing 12 PM
Shejaarti Timing 10 PM
Nowadays, it is possible to do Ashtavinayak Darshan Online Booking to avoid any last-minute hassles. You can book it from anywhere.
The temple of Chintamani Ganpati Theur displays vivid architectural styles. It is one of the largest temples of the eight sacred temples called Ashtavinayakas. The temple's entry is towards the North, and the main idol faces the East.
The Sabha Mandap, an extension of the temple, is wooden. On the temple premises, there is a building called Peshwa Wada. Peshwa Madhavrao used to live in this building,
Chitamani Ganpati is considered a "Jagrut Devsthan," which means he is a powerful deity that blesses his devotees and fulfills his wishes. The idol of Bhagwan Ganesh has precious gems in the eyes.
Bhagwan Chintamani Ganapati was the family deity of Peshwa Madhavrao. He used to visit the temple.
Like all other temples in the Ashtavinayak, various legends are also associated with Theur temple. It is said that Bhagwan Brahma meditated and prayed for Bhagwan Ganesh at this place. Since he prayed to get a stable mind, the Ganesha here is known as Chintamani Vinayak.
According to another legend, a king named Abhijeet performed penance with his wife at this place. His wife gave birth to a son named Guna.
Like any other Ganesh temple, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with quiet pomp and glory in Theur. It is in the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar, and it falls in August or September. A lot of people go there during this festival. It is celebrated for 10 days.
Maghi Chaturthi is another important festival in January or February. It begins on the fourth day, or Chaturthi, and lasts till the eighth day, or Ashtami.
The Peshwa Madhavrao I was a devotee of Chitaman Ganesh. He left this world on the premises of this temple, and his wife Rama also left the world along with him. On their death anniversary, Rama-Madhav Punyotsav is commemorated. A fair is organized during that time.
The distance of Theur Temple is only 25 kilometers from Pune. Therefore, you cannot find many places to stay. People prefer to go back to Pune. Those who come in their vehicles go back on the same day. Even those with Yatra companies also take the Darshan and move to the next temple.
Hence, there are no better accommodations available here.
Since it is not very far off from Pune, people do not stay here. Therefore, you cannot find big hotels or eating joints. However, there are small shops serving tea/coffee and snacks.
The Chintamani Ganpati Temple is the prime attraction in Theur. This place is very near to Pune, which is a major tourist attraction. It has several historical places as the important place of the Maratha empires during Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and later served as the capital of Peshwas. Shaniwar Wada, Vishrambag Palace, Parvati, Sinhgad are the prime one. Pune is also an important cultural and educational hub that has also gained a name in the field of IT recently.
Famous hill stations Matheran and Mahabaleshwar and twin hill stations Lonavla and Khandala are also not very far off.
One can plan a three- to four-day tour to enjoy these excursions from Chintamani Ganpati Temple.
•Theur to Ozar: 102.1 km via MH SH 61 and Ashtavinayak Hwy
• Theur to Ranjangaon : 42.6 km via NH 753F
•Theur to Lenyadri: 97.9 kilometers via NH60 Highway
•Theur to Siddhatek:82.7 km via NH 65
•Theur to Morgaon: 63.1 km via NH 65 and NH 965D
•Theur to Pali: 143.3 km via Bengaluru - Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai - Pune Hwy/Mumbai - Pune Expy/Mumbai - Satara Hwy/Yashwantrao Chavan Expy and NH 548A
Entry to Theur Ganpati is free of cost, and therefore, no booking is needed. One can plan a one-day trip to this temple from Pune. The best mode is to travel there by personal vehicle. The distance is not much, so it is convenient. You must carry caps and sunglasses if you go there in summer. Particularly, the afternoons are very hot. The temple is crowded during special days and occasions, but you can get the Darshan in one hour. There are small shops around the temple where you can get eatables. However, there are no big hotels or restaurants around. You should bring food if you want to spend the whole day there.
Ashtavinayak Yatra has gained a lot of popularity since ancient times. In modern times, it has become further convenient with the availability of the Ashtavinayak Tour From Pune. It is a two- or three-day program that covers all eight temples.
