The Chintamani Vinayak temple at
Thevoor is located in the vicinity of Pune.
Thevoorcha Shri Chintaamani is
considered to be one of the Ashta Vinayak shrines
of Maharashtra, celebrating eight instances of legends related to Ganesha.
The legend surrounding this temple
centers around the Chintaamani gem. Sage Kapila was in
possession of a gem by name Chintaamani which was capable of granting one's desires. He
was visited by a young prince (son of Gunavati and Abhijita) by name Guna.
The sage invoked the powers of the gem and created a sumptuous meal for the prince. The
prince enamored by the power of the gem, stole it from the sage. A hurt Kapila
Muni prayed to Vinayaka for help. Vinayaka restored the gem from
the prince, however the sage refused to accept it, and began to rever Vinayaka as
Chintaamani Vinayaka.
Legend has it that Kapila Muni had
received this gem from Shiva after worshipping him at Talaiaalankaadu near Thanjavur in Tamilnadu.
It is believed that he had walked on his head to reach the shrine and hence the tamil name
Talaiaalankaadu (talai - head). (Also see Kapilarmalai Murugan temple in Tamilnadu).
The Temple: An east facing
image of Ganesha, is enshrined in this temple which has interesting
features such as gold inlays. This temple is closely associated with the Maratha ruler
Madhavrao Peshwa.