Chintamani Temple, Ujjain
The temple is built across
the Shipra on the Fatehabad railway line. The Ganesh idolenshrined here is
supposed to be swayambhu - born of itself. The temple itself is believed to
be of considerable antiquity. Riddhi and Siddhi, the consorts of Ganesha,
are seated on either side of Ganesha. The artistically carved pillars in the
assembly hall date back to the Parmar period. Worshippers throng to this
temple because the deity here is traditionally known as Chintaharan Ganesh
meaning "the assurer of freedom from worldly anxieties".
This Ganesha
stone temple is located in the middle of the market, and dates back to 11th
and 12th centuries a.d. when the Paramaras ruled over Malwa (Madhya
Pradesh).
The finely-carved stone pillars in the assembly hall and the white shrine
define the age-old sanctity of the temple.
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 worshipped in the Hindu pantheon, lest he decide 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.
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