Chintamani of Theur

Near Pune, on the banks of the Mula-Mutha rivers, the village of Theur holds the temple of Chintamani — the fifth of the Ashtavinayak, and the form of Shree Ganesh most sought by those seeking relief from worry and disturbance of the mind. His name itself explains why: Chintamani removes chinta, anxiety, from the hearts of his devotees.

The Sage and His Wishing Gem

The sage Kapila once possessed a rare and powerful gem, the Chintamani, capable of granting any wish to whoever held it. One day, Prince Guna, son of Gunavati and Abhijita, came to visit the sage's hermitage. To honor his guest, Kapila invoked the gem's power and conjured a magnificent feast in the prince's honor.

A Guest's Betrayal

Prince Guna, enchanted by what the gem could do, let greed overtake him. Before departing, he stole the Chintamani from the sage who had shown him such hospitality. Grief-stricken at the loss and the betrayal, Kapila turned to Shree Ganesh and prayed for his help.

Shree Ganesh Restores What Was Taken

Shree Ganesh sought out Prince Guna, recovered the stolen gem, and returned it to Sage Kapila. But Kapila, having seen how easily even a wishing gem could corrupt a heart, refused to keep it. Instead, he offered the Chintamani to Shree Ganesh himself, asking him to bear it and to remain at Theur as its protector.

The Remover of Worry

From that day, this form of Shree Ganesh has been worshipped as Chintamani Vinayaka — the one who wears the wish-fulfilling gem, and who dissolves the restless worry of anyone who comes to him in sincere prayer. In later centuries, the temple's story wove itself further into Maharashtra's history, becoming closely tied to the Ganapatya saint Morya Gosavi and revered by the Peshwa rulers who followed in his devotion.