Pavitra Moraya Gosavi Mandir, Chinchwad, Pune

Chinchwad village is located in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area, adjacent to the city of Pune. It was in this village that a great devotee of Lord Ganesha named Morya Gosavi was born on Magh Shuddha Chaturthi in the year 1375. This sacred site, famous for the residence and Sanjeevan Samadhi of Saint Morya Gosavi, is situated on the southern bank of the Pavana River. The chant ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya… Mangalmurti Morya…!’, which is echoed across the entire world while praising Lord Ganesha, originated from this very Morya Gosavi.

Vamanbhatt Shaligram and his wife Parvatibai came to reside at Morgaon in the year 1324. For 48 long years, the couple performed rigorous penance to Mayureshwar to be blessed with a son. Following this prolonged devotion, Lord Ganesha himself promised to be born to them as their son. With this blessing, Morya Gosavi was born on Magh Shuddha Chaturthi in the year 1375. From his childhood, he began his devotion to Ganesha along with the worship of the Sun and the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra. After his Upanayana ceremony at the age of eight, he completed a pilgrimage to the Ashtavinayak shrines on foot. During this spiritual journey, he imbibed the essence of Ganesha from each location.

In his further travels, he met Yogiraj Nayan Bharati. Nayan Bharati initiated him into the Nath sect and bestowed upon him the title ‘Gosavi’. Thereafter, he would walk from Chinchwad to Morgaon every month to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha. When he began to face difficulties in traveling due to old age, Mayureshwar appeared to him in a dream. The Lord promised Morya that instead of him coming to Morgaon for the pilgrimage, the Lord himself would come to Chinchwad. Following the instructions of Mayureshwar, while offering Arghya in the Chaha River, an orange-colored Ganesha idol appeared in Morya Gosavi’s palms. At that very moment, a divine voice proclaimed that in the future, the devotee’s name would be prefixed to the name of the Lord. Since then, the chant ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya… Mangalmurti Morya…!’ became popular.

Following the command of Shri Chintamani Ganesha of Theur, Morya Gosavi married a girl named Uma at the age of 96. They had a son named Chintamani. Morya Gosavi attained Sanjeevan Samadhi on the banks of the Pavana River in Chinchwad on Margashirsha Vadya Shashthi in the year 1561, at the age of 186. After his passing, his son Chintamani Maharaj installed a Ganesha idol at this site and built the main temple. This shrine received significant royal patronage from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Peshwas. Even Aurangzeb, impressed by the spiritual powers of Narayan Maharaj, granted a decree for eight villages. This place in Chinchwad is considered one of the primary power centers (Shaktipeeth) of the Ganapatya sect.

The current Morya Gosavi Ganpati Temple was completed between the years 1658 and 1659. The structure is built entirely of black carved stone. It is an excellent example of Maratha-era architecture. This shrine is situated in a grove of tamarind and banyan trees on the banks of the Pavana River. The main entrance is on the north side of the temple. From here, one enters the paved courtyard of the temple. In this courtyard, there are seven Samadhis of the saints from seven generations of Morya Gosavi’s lineage. The main temple’s Sabhamandap (assembly hall) is square-shaped. The ceiling of this hall is made of wood and features Peshwa-era craftsmanship. Since the sanctum sanctorum is below ground level, one has to descend a few steps to enter it from the assembly hall. The interior of the sanctum is octagonal in the Hemadpanti style. In front of Morya Gosavi’s Samadhi, in a deep cave, lies the Samadhi of Shri Chintamani Maharaj. There is a two-armed Ganesha idol here as well.

Looking through a small window on the west side from the Samadhi hall of Chintamani Maharaj, one can get a direct view of the main Ganesha idol.

Looking down, one can see the Samadhi of Chintamani Maharaj in a square room within the cave. In this same area, there is an old north-facing idol named Shrikoteshwar and a tall lamp pillar (Deepmal). The temple’s spire is in the traditional Maratha style, topped with a gold-plated finial (Kalash). A stone ghat has been built on the banks of the Pavana River behind the temple. Various cultural programs and devotional singing (Bhajan-Kirtan) are organized here throughout the year. An old Shami tree in the premises becomes the center of special worship on the day of Vijayadashami.

This shrine is known for its unique festivals and traditions. The Punyatithi (death anniversary) festival of Morya Gosavi is celebrated on a grand scale here from Margashirsha Vadya Tritiya to Shashthi. During this time, the premises are beautifully decorated with lights. Ganesh Jayanti, celebrated on Magh Shuddha Chaturthi, is another important occasion here. The ‘Dwaryatra’ tradition held in the month of Shravan is considered extremely rare. The lighting in the area on this day further enhances the temple’s charm. The tradition of taking the idol of Morya Gosavi to Morgaon in a palanquin during the month of Jyeshtha is still preserved today. On behalf of the temple trust, Mahaprasad is organized for devotees every afternoon. The temple is open for devotees daily from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Devotees can have ‘Mukhdarshan’ (view of the deity’s face) between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery