Maa Punyakshetralu - Temples in India

Brahma Srushtyadisakta Sthirmatirahittam Pidito Vighnasandhe |
Aakranto Bhutirakta Krutiganrajasa Jeevita Tyaktu Mischina ||
Swatmanan Sarvyakta Ganapatimamal Satyachintamaniyam |
Mukta cha stapayant sthirmatisukhadam sthavare dhudhi Midhe ||

Meaning :
The one who is search of happiness, whose mind is wavering like Lord Brahma, who is in the midst all calamities should go to Sthavar means Theur & worship Shree Chintamani & get rid of all Chintas (worries) & calamities.

Lord Brahma meditated here to subdue his waveringmind. As his worries (chinta) were removed the idol is called Chintamani. The place is called Sthar (stable) or Theur.

Theur is the nearest place of Ashtavinayak from Pune. Having mythological & historical importance, Theur is popular for various reasons.

GREAT ASCETICS OF THEUR
Morya Gosavi of Chinchwad performed penances in the forest of Theur. As a result Shree Ganesh emerged in the guise of two Tigers.

HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OF THEUR
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.

SHREE CHINTAMANI'S TEMPLE & IDOL
The main archway of the temple faces north. Peshwa had built a concrete road from main gate upto Mula-Mutha river. Temple hall is made up of wood and there is small fountain made up of black stone in the hall. The courtyard of the temple is quite big paved with floor. There is small temple of Lord Shankar in the courtyard of the temple. A big bell can also be seen in the temple.

Chintamani Ganapati's temple was built by Dharanidhar Maharaj Dev in the family of Morya Gosavi. 100 years after that Madhavrao Peshwa built a hall for this temple. Haripant Phadke and other devotees had done timely repairs of the temple and added to the security and beauty of the temple.

Idol facing east is swayambhu (self emanated) and has a left side trunk. There are carbuncle and diamonds in the eyes of Vinayaka.

ROUTE
In Haveli Taluka of District Pune, Theur is at the distance of 25 km from Pune. Theur is situted on the confluence of the Mula, Mutha & Bhima rivers.

Various routes available for going to Theur are as follows :

1. Regular P.M.T. ( Poona Motor Transport ) buses are available from Sarasbag or Poolgate bus stand of Pune.
2. On Pune Solapur highway, after Hadapsar and Loni, at a distance of 3kms. From Loni a small road to the left leads to Theur.

Sugarcane is cultivated on large scale in the Theur. Vasantrao Naik sugar factory is nearby. Number of trucks loaded with sugarcane will be seen in the Theur.

FESTIVALS
Two festivals, one 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.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. It is said that Emperor Aurangzeb had given grant to this temple. Nowadays administration of this temple is governed by Chinchwad Temple Trust.
2. On giving, appropriate donations Abhishek, Ekadashi, Sahastravartana, etc. are done by Poojari. Prasad and Angara (wholy ashes) are sent by post.