Sri Chintamani Ganapati Temple Kalamb
Sri Chintamani Ganapati Temple- Kalamb
Sri Chintamani Ganpati Temple is located at Kalamb in the Yavatmal district of Maharashtra.This unique underground temple (around 27-30 feet) is well maintained and devotees need to climb down medium height steps to reach the sanctum- sanctorum (Garbagriha).
Located on the banks of the River Chakravarti, it is said to have been the site where Lord Ganesh blessed Lord Indra, who prayed to him to get relieved from the curse of Gautama Rishi.
Kalamb’s temple is known as Shri Chintamani Temple, based on another name for Ganesh that emphasizes the belief that praying to him can remove worries (‘Chinta’ means worry in Sanskrit and in local Marathi language).It belongs to Vidarbha Ashtavinayak, one of the eight Ganapati kshetras in Vidarbha. It is one of the 21 kshetras of Ganapati throughout India and is considered to be constructed in the 7th or 8th century.An annual fair of Shree Chintamani is held here.
Legend
4.5 feet idol of Lord Ganesha in this Temple is facing the south. Lord Indra, performed austerities facing the north and Shri Ganesh appeared before him and the idol is placed exactly the way he appeared, and hence Lord Ganesh is facing southwards.
Lord Brahma created a beautiful woman and named her Devi Ahilya. Gods, demons, yaksha and gandharva (Demigods), kinnar (Celestial musicians), spirits all were attracted by her beauty and prayed to Lord Bramha to marry her. Lord Brahma declared that he would marry her to the one who circumambulates the earth once. Everyone left to complete the race.
Maharshi Gautam on receiving this news circumambulated the pregnant cow in his ashram, based on a quote from the scriptures that circumamblating a pregnant cow is equivalent to circumambulating the earth. After this he went to Lord Brahma and asked for the hand of the beautiful woman and Lord Brahma happily wedded his daughter to the Sage groom with honour.
Having completed the race first, King Indra came to Lord Brahma but it was of no use. Being dejected he then decided to acquire her through deceit. Accordingly once when Maharshi Gautam was not present in the ashram, he assumed the form of Maharshi Gautam and misbehaved with Ahilya.
When Ahilya confessed this to Maharishi Gautam, enraged sage cursed Lord Indra of being inflicted with hundred diseases. Terrified King Indra pleaded before his Guru Brihaspati. Along with Indra the Guru too surrendered unto Sage Gautam and asked for forgiveness. Forgiving Indra Maharishi Gautam asked him to chant Ganesh Mantra and to perform austerities to please Shri Chintamani in Kalamb region.
Bhagwan Shri Ganesh pleased with the penance of Indra blessed him to get rid of the curse and cure from the diseases. Thereafter, Indra installed an Idol of Shri Chintamani at that place. This is the famous Shri Kshetra Kalamb.
In this temple Ganesh kund is in front of the Idol of Shri Chintamani. King Indra had first brought the Holy Ganga here for the worship of Shri Chintamani. A proof of that exists even today.
Once in 12 years, in the Hindu month of Ashwin (Sept-Oct), the water from the Ganesh Kund in front of the idol, begins to rise and partially submerges the idol.
Shri Chintamani Yatra starts on the Magh Shukla Paksha Pratipada. Thousands of devotees gather here to be a part of this auspicious event. Fairs and other events are organized from Chaturthi to Saptami.
Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Puja are two of the most popular occasions celebrated here. People from different parts of the country visit this spiritual abode to witness ultimate peace in the almighty and to fulfill their wishes.
