Overview
Chintamani Temple in Theur, roughly 25 km from Pune, is one of the larger and more famous of the eight Ashtavinayak shrines, closely associated historically with the Peshwa rulers of Maharashtra, particularly Madhavrao I, who both renovated the temple and spent his final days within its precincts.
History
Though believed to have existed since antiquity, the current structure is credited to the Ganapatya saint Morya Gosavi (whose dates are variously placed between the 13th and 17th centuries) or his descendants. The temple was subsequently renovated and expanded by Peshwa Madhavrao I (reigned 1745-1772), who is said to have visited both before and after military engagements to seek Ganesha's blessing and give thanks, and who ultimately spent his last days at the temple.
Spiritual Significance
The temple takes its name from the Chintamani, a mythical wish-fulfilling gem which, according to legend, Ganesha recovered from a greedy demon named Guna and returned to the sage Kapila, giving the deity his name here as the bestower of the gem's wish-granting power. Beyond the main Ganesha shrine, the temple complex includes several smaller shrines (to Shiva, to Vishnu-Lakshmi, and to Hanuman), giving Theur a broader devotional complex than some of the other Ashtavinayak sites.
Scriptures & Texts
Editorial note: Scripture references below are based on widely cited scholarly and traditional sources. Specific verse citations should be independently verified before publication.
The Chintamani gem legend is documented in Ganapatya devotional literature associated with the Ashtavinayak tradition. Specific verse-level citation requires expert verification before publication.
Prayers at Chintamani Temple, Theur (Ashtavinayak)
सुखकर्ता दुखहर्ता वार्ता विघ्नाची
जय गणेश जय गणेश जय गणेश देवा
जय गणपति सदगुण सदन,कविवर बदन कृपाल। विघ्न हरण मंगल करण,जय जय गिरिजालाल॥
ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयामदेवाः भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः। स्थिरैरङ्गैस्तुष्टुवाꣳसस्तनूभिः व्यशेम देवहितं यदायुः॥
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय
मुदाकरात्तमोदकं सदा विमुक्तिसाधकं कलाधरावतंसकं विलासिलोकरक्षकम्
Pilgrimage Information
When to visit: October to February offers the most comfortable weather.
Getting there: Theur is roughly 25 km from Pune, which has its own airport and is a major railway junction.
Family Suitability
Well suited to families of all ages, given the easy road access from Pune.
Accommodation
Modest local pilgrim accommodation is available; fuller options are available via Pune.
Local Services
Basic local services are available near the temple, with fuller services available via nearby Pune.
Do’s & Don’ts
Do
- Visit the complex's smaller subsidiary shrines (Shiva, Vishnu-Lakshmi, Hanuman) alongside the main Ganesha sanctum.
- Dress modestly, as at any active Hindu temple.
Don’t
- Don't overlook the temple's distinctive Peshwa-era history, particularly its association with Madhavrao I, when presenting its story.
Nearby Sacred Locations
- Varadvinayak Temple, Mahad
Another Ashtavinayak shrine, in Raigad district.
- Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyadri
Another Ashtavinayak shrine, in Pune district.
- Major Ganesha Temples of India: The Ashtavinayak (overview)
This platform's overview of the full eight-temple Ashtavinayak circuit.
Preservation
Specific current conservation programme details were not found in the sources consulted for this page.
Giving Back
Support the temple through its own official trust donation channels.
Sources
About this page
Researched and written by YatraBeyond from published sources, and not yet confirmed by the temple. Facts here are cross-checked against at least two independent sources, never written from memory, and every source is listed above.
Last reviewed by us: 2026-07-11. Timings, entry rules and access can change without notice; treat anything time-sensitive as a starting point and confirm before you travel.
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