Chintaman Ganesh Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Chintaman Ganesh is an ancient holy and the biggest temple and of Lord Ganesha in Ujjain. As it is the temple of Ganesha, people take the blessings of Ganesh for starting every new venture. This temple is built across the Shipra river on the Fatehabad railway line. 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.

Chintaman Ganesh Temple, Ujjain,Madhya Pradesh

History and Architecture
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This Ganesha stone temple is located in the middle of the market and dates back to 11th and 12th centuries when the Paramaras ruled over Malwa. The finely-carved stone pillars in the assembly hall and the white shrine define the age-old sanctity of the temple. A boadi that is within the premises is associated with the myth of Shri Ram who on his return from Lanka after killing Ravana, passed this way and on feeling thirsty asked his brother to fetch some water. Laxman on not finding water anywhere pierced the earth with his arrow from where emerged Ganga quenching their thirst and making the site sacred.

Worshippers throng to this temple because the deity here is traditionally known as Chintaharan Ganesh meaning “the assurer of freedom from worldly anxieties”.

The temple is mentioned in ‘Prabandha Chintamani’ treatise. The mandapa and the garbhagriha have a granite shikhar over the domed roof. The temple sits in premises protected with a fortification wall with an entrance gate. The temple, which was of Parmara times originally, was reconstructed during Maratha period. It consists of pradakshina patha and mandapa constructed out of artistically carved sandstone pillars in the assembly hall date back to the Paramara period.

The temple is open for devotees from 6 AM to 12 PM and from 5 PM to 10 PM.

The Ganesha idol enshrined in this temple is supposed to be swayamabhu (born of itself). Also called Vighneshwara, the moderator of grief, Ganesha is always the first to be worshiped in the Hindu pantheon, lest he decides to sow obstacles in the devotees’ path. His consorts, Ridhhi, and Siddhi flank Chintaman, the assuager of all worries. Locally, Ganesha is also referred to as Chintaman.

By 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.

By Rail

The nearest railhead is the Ujjain Junction at a distance of 4 km from the temple.

By Air

The nearest airport is the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport at a distance of 63 km from the temple.