Shri Ganesh Mandir Tekdi Nagpur
In Nagpur there are number of oldest and ancient temples, Shri Ganesh Tekdi Temple is one of them. This temple is most popular and famous in Nagpur. Looking it’s popularity, the number of devotees are increasing day by day. The atmosphere is very pleasing and pure beside the temple.
It’s name is given as Tekdi Ganapati because it is constructed on a hill and in Marathi Language a hill is called as a Tekdi. It is believed to be approximately 250 years old. When first built, there was a ordinary tin shade and a small platform. It started improving after 1970, after the Military defense took its possession and in 1965 Late honorable then defense Minister Shri Yashwantrao Chavan arranged the possession of the temple and adjoining land to temple trust. In 1978 the big project of the construction of Ganesh temple started in full swing. All the devotees generously contributed heavy amounts for the construction and the resultant temple got present shape in 1984.
The main role was played by Late Shri Ganpatrao Joshi and other devotees who were taking active part in this construction. But it was found that the allotted land was comparatively small in respect of huge crowd of devotees. Again the trustees of the temple appealed to ministry of defense to approve sanction for some more expansion of the premises and in 1995 fruitful result came and 20,000 more Sq. feet land was added to previous premises. Now the new project intended is the beautification of the surroundings of this temple like lawns, water fountain and free parking zone etc.
It is said that this idol is self existent. Originally this idol was very small in shape, but gradually it grew bigger and increased as per present situation. The idol is having golden decoration at forehead. Other silver ornaments are also available. In all these ornaments particularly Mukut (a diadem) is specially exhibited on Chaturthi and Ekadashi only.
It is said by devotees that this temple is a Jagruta (awake) devasthan, so it is crowded by devotees from early morning upto midnight. This temple is such a place where the whole mankind or devotees come together in one place and gather together with a goal of religions performance with purity, equality and with a pure mind.
Around 5000 devotees come to the temple daily for worship. Specially on Chaturthi the number of devotees is raised upto 10,000. It is said that monthly Alms-giving from devotees of this temple is about 3 to 4 Lakh. In this temple a waving of a lamp (Arti) is done three times daily. It is done in early morning at 6:30 am, in afternoon at 12:30 pm and in evening at 6:30 pm. As a divine gift, a Modaka is distributed after these Artis. This is a specialty of this temple.
