The article Chintamani Ganapati Temple and Ganapathy Homam is a guest post by Sri. K. Ananda Ram from Kerala. Hindu Devotional Blog expresses our sincere thanks for sending such a detailed text about Chinthamani Ganaesh Temple, its history, Chinthamani Ganapathi Maha Mantra, and the Ganesha Homam.
Chinthamani Ganapathi Temple History and Conducting of Chinthamani Ganapathi Havanam
The Chinthamony Ganapathy Temple, one of the Ashtavinayaka Temples of Ganesh, is situated at Theur, 25 kilometers from PUNE, in Maharashtra, India. Morya Gosavi attained Siddhi here and his son built the temple to commemorate the event. According to the legend King Abhijit and his wife Gunavathi had a son called Gana, on his visit to Saga Kapila he coveted the Chintamani (Wish fulfilling stone) which Kapila used to fulfill his wishes. Kapila refused to part with the stone but Gana took it forcibly. Goddess Durga advised Kapila to worship Ganapathy. With the powers of the worship Kapila fought and killed Gana. Abhijit returned the Jewel to Kapila but he did not wish to posses it any longer. Ganapathi stayed on the spot under
the Kadamba tree and called himself CHINTAMANI.
Ashta Vinayaka Temples
In the State of Maharashtra there are eight temples dedicated to Ganesha, which are related to various episodes from the Puranas and other legends, and these deities are collectively known as ASHTA VINAYAKA. “ASHTA” means eight and “VINAYAKA” is another name of Lord Ganesh, the God loved and worshipped by every Hindu. Lord Ganesha is the protector of his devotees. Eight effigies found among the nature, and sculptured by nature have been housed in these temples created ages ago at the places where the effigies were first identified. These “Swayambhu” effigies include the Ganesha idols at Morgaon Mayureshwar, Ranjangaon, Lenyadri, Ojhar, Thevoor, Mahad, Pali, Siddhatek. These Sacred idols, make up the famous Ashta Vinayak. All the eight places are located within the range of 20 to 110 kilometers near Pune.
Thevoorcha Sri Chintamani is considered to be one of the Ashta Vinayak shrines of Maharashtra, celebrating eight instances of legends related to Ganesha. The temple at Thevoor, near Pune in Maharashtra State, enshrines the idol of Chintamani Vinayaka. This temple and the deity relates to the Kapila Rishi and the Chintamani gem that he had obtained from Lord Shiva. An east facing image of Lord Ganesha is enshrined in this temple which has interesting features such as gold inlays. This temple is closely associated with the Maratha ruler Madhvrao Peshwa.
It is believed that there were three wish fulfilling items in the ancient days. They are
(1) The Kamadhenu (a Cow)
(2) Kalpa Vruksha (Tree)
(3) The Chintamani (a gem)
All these 3 wish fulfilling items are now believed to be in possession of the Deva’s.
According to legends Kapila Rishi had received this gem, Called Chinthamani, from Lord Shiva after worshipping him at Talaiaalankaadu near Thanjavoor in Tamilnadu. It is believed that he had walked on his head to reach the shrine and hence the Tamil name Talaiaalankaadu (Talai - Head).
The Legend surrounding this temple centers on the Chinthamani gem. Saga Kapila was in possession of a gem by name Chintamani which was capable of granting one’s desires. He was once 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 Rishi prayed to Vinayaka (Lord Ganesh) for help. Vinayaka restored the gem from the Prince.
However the sage refused to accept it. He had developed such a conviction that when Lord Ganesha is himself available for him, there was no necessity to have gem like Chintamani. This Chintamanai gem had also found it way to Devaloka. Saga Kapila began to revere Vinayaka as Chintamani, as wish fulfilling God. Chinta means Sorrow. Saga Kapila through the powers of penance, (Thaposakthi), was able to compose a rare Moola Mantra, known as Chintamani Ganapathi Moolam.
The Chinthamani Ganapathi Maha Mantra
Saga Kapila, composed the Great Mantra on Chintamani Ganapathi. The Mantra is given below.
Om Hreem Sreem,
Chinthamani Ganapathaye Namaha:
Om Namo Ganesaya
Om Eeem Chinthamani Chinthithaha:
Artha Labha Pooraya Pooraya,
Lakshmee Aanaya Anaya,
Nama Swahaa….
“Hreem “Sreem” and Eeem are Beejakshara’s.
Sri Kapila Bhagavan Rishi,
Thrishtup Chandaha
Ganapathir Devatha:
This, in essence is the Moola mantra of Chinthamani Maha Ganapathi.
The Mantra invokes the Grace of Chinthamani Ganapathi, prays for fulfillment of desires to have all prosperity, and prays again to bring Goddess Lakshmy, through Grace of Chinthamani Ganapathi.
Upadesha (The Initiation)
The Moolamantra of any specific deity is to be received as Upadehsa from a Guru who himself had undergone the vigorous chanting exercises of the Mantra as had been stipulated by elders. A Mantra is composed using many aksharas in Sanskrit. It is stipulated that the Mantra is chanted one Lakh for every letter contained in that Mantra.In this Chinthamani Ganapathi Maha Mantra, there are about 58 letters, and this means the requirement of minimum chanting of Mantra is 58 Lakhs times over a period of stipulated time.
The initiation is generally offered on three different counts.
The Manthra can be given for a specific ceremony and rituals that may be undertaken, individually or by a Group.
Next is the individual upadesa, which allows the seeker to chant the Mantra everyday as a spiritual sadhana.
It is also permitted to a deserving few, who wish to undertake “Anushtana” a ritual for a specified period which stipulates chanting of the Manthra 1008 times everyday, to ward off any calamity, or fulfillment of any specific desires, or to achieve any other specific achievements.
The new seeker should first get himself charged well before he undertakes to impart this Manthra to anybody else. He has to complete “Akshara Laksha” within a stipulated time, and then seek his own guide’s permission before he/she could initiate others. Chanting of this great Mantra may not give the desired results, unless this Manthra is received directly from a Guru who had attained Sidhi on this Mantra.
CHINTHAMANI GANAPATHI YAGNA
While Chinthamani Ganapathi Maha Manthra can be chanted as a daily spiritual practice, the same Manthra can also be invoked for Homams and Yagnams. Homam is normally performed in the houses or temples on small scales. Yagnas, which is also known as ‘Yagaa’, is conducted on a large scale.
Chinthamani Ganapathi homam can be performed with a single Priest, with chanting of Moola Manthra for 108 times, and offering “Aahuthies” into the sacred fire 11 times. Normally, the minimum number of priests for conducting Chinthamani Ganapathi Yagna is 12. One Chief priest is assigned to conduct to organize the sacred fire and organizing the entire function. Since Chinthamani Ganapathi Manthra is a very rare and powerful one the organizer normally initiates all the 12 priests into this Manthra, before commencement of the Yagna.
The other 11 Priests sit around the Sacred fire pit (Homa kutam) to offer different Aahuthis into the sacred fire, chanting the Mantras. In this Yagna, the Moola Manthra is chanted jointly. Each Priest accounts for 1008 times of chanting the Manthra. Each Priest offers different items as Aahuthis for 108 times only. The devotees, who gather to witness this great Yagna, can also get initiated during the occasion and all of them can join in chanting this Manthra.
While Chanting of the Manthra is in Progress, the Chief priest conducts “Avarana” pooja. After invoking Sacred Agni, ahuthies are offered by the chief Priest, chanting Ganapathi Moola Manthra, and also “Vallabha Ganapathi” Mantra.
The Yagna Concludes with Poorna Aahuthi.
“Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu”.
The Details regarding Chinthamony Ganapathy Havanam Collected during a Function of the same Organized and conducted at Ettumanoor in Kerala in the year 2003 by K. Ananda Ram, Geethanjali, Parippu.P.O, Kottayam – 24, Kerala
Phone – 0481-2516486
The above Article is based on the above Function.
Contact The Author
K. Ananda Ram
Retd Manager, (S.B.T)
Geethanjali,
Parippu PO,
Kottayam - 24
Kerala.
Contact Phone Number – 0481 - 2516486
Email - anandaram_geethanjali@yahoo.co.in.
--
If any of our respected readers are interested in submitting articles in http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/ feel free to send them by email to hindudevotionalblog@gmail.com. We will submit the article in website in your name.
Chinthamani Ganapathi Temple History and Conducting of Chinthamani Ganapathi Havanam
The Chinthamony Ganapathy Temple, one of the Ashtavinayaka Temples of Ganesh, is situated at Theur, 25 kilometers from PUNE, in Maharashtra, India. Morya Gosavi attained Siddhi here and his son built the temple to commemorate the event. According to the legend King Abhijit and his wife Gunavathi had a son called Gana, on his visit to Saga Kapila he coveted the Chintamani (Wish fulfilling stone) which Kapila used to fulfill his wishes. Kapila refused to part with the stone but Gana took it forcibly. Goddess Durga advised Kapila to worship Ganapathy. With the powers of the worship Kapila fought and killed Gana. Abhijit returned the Jewel to Kapila but he did not wish to posses it any longer. Ganapathi stayed on the spot under
the Kadamba tree and called himself CHINTAMANI. Ashta Vinayaka Temples
In the State of Maharashtra there are eight temples dedicated to Ganesha, which are related to various episodes from the Puranas and other legends, and these deities are collectively known as ASHTA VINAYAKA. “ASHTA” means eight and “VINAYAKA” is another name of Lord Ganesh, the God loved and worshipped by every Hindu. Lord Ganesha is the protector of his devotees. Eight effigies found among the nature, and sculptured by nature have been housed in these temples created ages ago at the places where the effigies were first identified. These “Swayambhu” effigies include the Ganesha idols at Morgaon Mayureshwar, Ranjangaon, Lenyadri, Ojhar, Thevoor, Mahad, Pali, Siddhatek. These Sacred idols, make up the famous Ashta Vinayak. All the eight places are located within the range of 20 to 110 kilometers near Pune.
Thevoorcha Sri Chintamani is considered to be one of the Ashta Vinayak shrines of Maharashtra, celebrating eight instances of legends related to Ganesha. The temple at Thevoor, near Pune in Maharashtra State, enshrines the idol of Chintamani Vinayaka. This temple and the deity relates to the Kapila Rishi and the Chintamani gem that he had obtained from Lord Shiva. An east facing image of Lord Ganesha is enshrined in this temple which has interesting features such as gold inlays. This temple is closely associated with the Maratha ruler Madhvrao Peshwa.
It is believed that there were three wish fulfilling items in the ancient days. They are
(1) The Kamadhenu (a Cow)
(2) Kalpa Vruksha (Tree)
(3) The Chintamani (a gem)
All these 3 wish fulfilling items are now believed to be in possession of the Deva’s.
According to legends Kapila Rishi had received this gem, Called Chinthamani, from Lord Shiva after worshipping him at Talaiaalankaadu near Thanjavoor in Tamilnadu. It is believed that he had walked on his head to reach the shrine and hence the Tamil name Talaiaalankaadu (Talai - Head).
The Legend surrounding this temple centers on the Chinthamani gem. Saga Kapila was in possession of a gem by name Chintamani which was capable of granting one’s desires. He was once 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 Rishi prayed to Vinayaka (Lord Ganesh) for help. Vinayaka restored the gem from the Prince.
However the sage refused to accept it. He had developed such a conviction that when Lord Ganesha is himself available for him, there was no necessity to have gem like Chintamani. This Chintamanai gem had also found it way to Devaloka. Saga Kapila began to revere Vinayaka as Chintamani, as wish fulfilling God. Chinta means Sorrow. Saga Kapila through the powers of penance, (Thaposakthi), was able to compose a rare Moola Mantra, known as Chintamani Ganapathi Moolam.
The Chinthamani Ganapathi Maha Mantra
Saga Kapila, composed the Great Mantra on Chintamani Ganapathi. The Mantra is given below.
Om Hreem Sreem,
Chinthamani Ganapathaye Namaha:
Om Namo Ganesaya
Om Eeem Chinthamani Chinthithaha:
Artha Labha Pooraya Pooraya,
Lakshmee Aanaya Anaya,
Nama Swahaa….
“Hreem “Sreem” and Eeem are Beejakshara’s.
Sri Kapila Bhagavan Rishi,
Thrishtup Chandaha
Ganapathir Devatha:
This, in essence is the Moola mantra of Chinthamani Maha Ganapathi.
The Mantra invokes the Grace of Chinthamani Ganapathi, prays for fulfillment of desires to have all prosperity, and prays again to bring Goddess Lakshmy, through Grace of Chinthamani Ganapathi.
Upadesha (The Initiation)
The Moolamantra of any specific deity is to be received as Upadehsa from a Guru who himself had undergone the vigorous chanting exercises of the Mantra as had been stipulated by elders. A Mantra is composed using many aksharas in Sanskrit. It is stipulated that the Mantra is chanted one Lakh for every letter contained in that Mantra.In this Chinthamani Ganapathi Maha Mantra, there are about 58 letters, and this means the requirement of minimum chanting of Mantra is 58 Lakhs times over a period of stipulated time.
The initiation is generally offered on three different counts.
The Manthra can be given for a specific ceremony and rituals that may be undertaken, individually or by a Group.
Next is the individual upadesa, which allows the seeker to chant the Mantra everyday as a spiritual sadhana.
It is also permitted to a deserving few, who wish to undertake “Anushtana” a ritual for a specified period which stipulates chanting of the Manthra 1008 times everyday, to ward off any calamity, or fulfillment of any specific desires, or to achieve any other specific achievements.
The new seeker should first get himself charged well before he undertakes to impart this Manthra to anybody else. He has to complete “Akshara Laksha” within a stipulated time, and then seek his own guide’s permission before he/she could initiate others. Chanting of this great Mantra may not give the desired results, unless this Manthra is received directly from a Guru who had attained Sidhi on this Mantra.
CHINTHAMANI GANAPATHI YAGNA
While Chinthamani Ganapathi Maha Manthra can be chanted as a daily spiritual practice, the same Manthra can also be invoked for Homams and Yagnams. Homam is normally performed in the houses or temples on small scales. Yagnas, which is also known as ‘Yagaa’, is conducted on a large scale.
Chinthamani Ganapathi homam can be performed with a single Priest, with chanting of Moola Manthra for 108 times, and offering “Aahuthies” into the sacred fire 11 times. Normally, the minimum number of priests for conducting Chinthamani Ganapathi Yagna is 12. One Chief priest is assigned to conduct to organize the sacred fire and organizing the entire function. Since Chinthamani Ganapathi Manthra is a very rare and powerful one the organizer normally initiates all the 12 priests into this Manthra, before commencement of the Yagna.
The other 11 Priests sit around the Sacred fire pit (Homa kutam) to offer different Aahuthis into the sacred fire, chanting the Mantras. In this Yagna, the Moola Manthra is chanted jointly. Each Priest accounts for 1008 times of chanting the Manthra. Each Priest offers different items as Aahuthis for 108 times only. The devotees, who gather to witness this great Yagna, can also get initiated during the occasion and all of them can join in chanting this Manthra.
While Chanting of the Manthra is in Progress, the Chief priest conducts “Avarana” pooja. After invoking Sacred Agni, ahuthies are offered by the chief Priest, chanting Ganapathi Moola Manthra, and also “Vallabha Ganapathi” Mantra.
The Yagna Concludes with Poorna Aahuthi.
“Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu”.
The Details regarding Chinthamony Ganapathy Havanam Collected during a Function of the same Organized and conducted at Ettumanoor in Kerala in the year 2003 by K. Ananda Ram, Geethanjali, Parippu.P.O, Kottayam – 24, Kerala
Phone – 0481-2516486
The above Article is based on the above Function.
Contact The Author
K. Ananda Ram
Retd Manager, (S.B.T)
Geethanjali,
Parippu PO,
Kottayam - 24
Kerala.
Contact Phone Number – 0481 - 2516486
Email - anandaram_geethanjali@yahoo.co.in.
--
If any of our respected readers are interested in submitting articles in http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/ feel free to send them by email to hindudevotionalblog@gmail.com. We will submit the article in website in your name.
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