Chintaman Ganesh Temple

Overview

The Chintaman Ganesh temple is ancient and is the biggest temple and of Lord Ganesha in Ujjain. It helps in relieving tensions for devotees. This temple is built across the Kshipra River on the Fatehabad railway line. The temple is very old and the sight of the temple itself reveals its age. It consists of the colossal image of Lord Ganesh and according to the Hindu Mythology; he came into the earth and created the temple for himself.

About The Temple

It dates back to 11th -12th centuries. This ancient temple is highly revered and one of the most visited shrines of Ujjaini in Madhya Pradesh. It is believed that the temple was built during the reign of Paramaras in Madhya Pradesh (Malwa). Chintamani Ganesha Mandir is wholly made out in stone. The very appearance of the temple suggests that it belongs to prehistoric times. Still, the temple has not lost its charm; in fact, it has become unique with its ancient origin. Chintaman Ganesh Temple boasts of its artistically carved pillars that are placed in the assembly hall. The age-old sanctity of the temple is preserved till date. The belief of the devotees for this shrine makes it all the more sanctified. People visit this temple, in large numbers, to get the graceful blessings of Lord Ganesha.

Temple Tank

Shipra River

About The deity

The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, who is regarded as the Lord of beginnings as per the Hindu beliefs. In the traditional times, the Lord is known as Chintaharan which literally means remover of all worries and tensions. The temple is thronged by crowds of people that come to do away with all their worries at the shrine of the Lord. The term Chintamani is another name used for Lord Vishnu, who is considered as the preserver of the Universe as per Hindu Mythology. Inside the temple, the ‘Garbhgriha’ comprises the image of Lord Ganesha. The main point is that this idol is supposed to be ‘swayambhu’ (self-manifested), unlike other idols. The site is adored by the two wives of Lord Ganesha, Riddhi and Siddhi that are placed on the either side of the Lord. Here, Lord Ganesha and Lord Vishnu are worshipped together with great devotion.

Legend and Stories

The history of the Chintamani Ganesh Temple dates back to the ancient period when the people used to believe in the notion that the gods and the goddesses come alive on the earth for their purpose or to attend their follower's ardent prayers; from such a notion came the idea that the Lord Ganesh came into the earth and created the temple for himself in Ujjain is very popular. During Sagar Manthan, churning of the sea by the Gods and the Demons, Amrita or nectar came up from the ocean. One drop fell in Ujjain thereby making it sacred. Whosoever visits this place shall be filled with all the blessings of the Gods and Goddesses residing here.

Special Days and Festivals

People who visit the temple believe that Wednesday is the ruling day for Lord Ganesh so most of the people visit Chintaman temple on Wednesday. On this particular day the temple is crowded with people one can find long queue just to take the darshan of Lord Ganesh. Ganesh Chaturti is the main festival of Lord Ganesh as during this period the temple is decorated and there are thousands of people waiting for the blessing of Lord Ganesh.

Prasad and Offerings

Besides a Fair is held on every Wednesday of the Chaitra Month and Sawa Lakh (1.25 lakhs) Laddus (Ball-shaped sweets popular in the Indian sub-continent) are offered to the lord as Bhog. At the time of Ganesh Chaturthi, free milk is also distributed as Prasada. According to the beliefs, for making wishes in this temple one among the following milk, curd, rice and coconut is offered to the lord and when the said wish becomes fulfil then the same offering is donated here.

Best Time to Visit

October to March.

Rare Facts

Traditional bells have given way to mobile phone rings in this hi-tech world at the ancient Chintaman Ganesh temple here. Here Lord Ganesh, though not in flesh and blood is taking the phone calls of his devotees from across the world. When any devotee expresses his/her desire to convey wishes to the ‘Chintaman Ganesh’, the priest of the temple takes his cell phone instrument close to the ears of the elephant-headed God. The temple receive more than 400 calls daily from devotees across the world to get their wishes fulfilled during the Ganesh festival. The unique practise of listening to the wishes of devotees by Lord Chintaman Ganesh began in this 12 century old Parmar Temple when an Indore-based devotee settled in Germany and rang over the temple cellphone and requested for sending his message to God by it. The devotees were sending letters to the deity for the last 35 years for accomplishment of their wishes but in this hi-tech era, they have started ringing the Lord Ganesh to fulfill their desires since last five years. Nowadays mobile is ringing more than the bells put up in the Chintaman Ganesh Temple.

Significance

Chintamani is a magical stone told in mythology. It fulfills our wishes immediately. As Lord Ganesh in this temple is just like the stone Chintamani, granting their wishes when asked with devotion. Hence devotees call him with the name – Chintamani Ganesh / Chintaman Ganesh. He is also called as Chinta haran Ganesh as he removes all the Chintas (sorrows) of the devotees. People around Ujjaini will give first invitation of their marriage to this Ganesh. It is believed that he will remove all the obstacles in marriage and bless the couple. New vehicles are taken to this temple, so that no accidents will occur while riding on them.

Accessibility

Air

The Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore is the nearest airport to Ujjain, which is situated 55 Km away. Indore is air connected to major cities in India by public and private domestic airlines. Indore is mostly connected to places like Jaipur, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Bhopal and Chennai. Taxi services are also available from Indore airport to Ujjjain city. International visitors can get connecting flights to Indore from Delhi (800 Km) or Mumbai (655 Km) airport.

Rail

The city of Ujjain has Junction Railway Station which is an important railway station in Western railway zone. It is well connected to all major railway stations in India. Direct train services are available to Bhopal, Indore, Pune, Malwa, Delhi and many other cities.

Road

Ujjain is well connected by state road transport public bus services. Regular bus services are available to visit the temple from Indore (55 Km), Gwalior (450 Km), Ahmedabad (400 Km) and Bhopal (183 Km) to Ujjain. Super fast and Deluxe A/C buses are also available in these routes.

Address

Chintaman Ganesh Temple,
Road No 2 Teen Puliya, Nanda Nagar, Ujjain
Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh – IN.