Ancient Chiman Ganapati Temple Chavadi Naka, Pen, Pen, Raigad

Pen, renowned as ‘Ganapati’s Village,’ is a place where, apart from the ten to twelve days of Ganesh Chaturthi, the crafting of Ganesh idols continues throughout the year. Due to the exquisite shadu clay idols and their captivating colour schemes, the murtis created here are sought after from both within Bharat and abroad. In this area, wherever one goes, one is blessed with the darshan of Shri Ganesha in the form of these beautiful idols. In this very village, which offers such omnipresent darshan of Shri Ganesha, there stands a beautiful and famous temple dedicated to Him. The name of the Ganesha enshrined within is Chiman Ganapati.

Though there is a global demand for the sacred Ganesh murtis crafted in Pen, precise information regarding when and how the art of murti-making began here is not readily available. It is said that approximately one hundred and fifty years ago, vatan-holders (hereditary landholders) with the surnames Joshi, Tilak, and Paranjape resided here. Many artisans who had come from Bijapur worked for them. After completing their regular duties, these artisans would spend their leisure time crafting clay toys, pottery, and murtis. There was a good demand for the items they created here. Pilgrims and devotees travelling to the Konkan region have, for a very long time, carried these items and murtis from this place. After Lokmanya Tilak initiated the public Ganesh Utsav, the making of clay toys and pottery here gradually ceased, and the art of crafting Ganesh murtis rose to prominence. Exquisite Ganesh murtis began to be fashioned from the locally available clay. As the significance of Ganesh Utsav grew during this period, these murtis began to be in great demand. 

In Pen, Shri Bhikaji Krishna Deodhar initiated the sacred craft of Ganesh murti creation. This endeavour was further propelled by the succeeding generations, Shri Vamanrao Deodhar and Shri Rajabhau Deodhar. In the times that followed, some of the artisans who trained under them… He embarked upon his own venture, and this enterprise began to flourish. Initially, these sacred murtis were sent to Mumbai and Pune, including the Konkan region. Thereafter, demand started pouring in from across the entire state. Over the past few years, requests have also come from Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. Furthermore, there has been a growing demand for the Ganesh murtis from this sacred place even from countries such as America, Australia, England, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and Mauritius. Thus, in the truest sense, the Ganesh murtis from here are now journeying across the seven seas. 

This village-like town, renowned worldwide for crafting Gaṇeśa murtis, is also famous in the district for its Chimaṇ Gaṇapati Mandir. The fame of this Gaṇapati has spread far and wide. It is said that prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-five, a maṭh of Chimaṇājī Raghunāth Jośī, also known as Chimaṇ Sādhu, stood on the site of this temple. Within that maṭh, he consecrated a Gaṇeśa murti. He would celebrate Gaṇeśotsava and Śrī Kṛṣṇa Janmotsava with the youth from the surrounding areas. To ensure the tradition of these festivals continued, Chimaṇ Sādhu, before his passing, entrusted his land and the murti was entrusted to the Āḷīkar family. Thus, this Gaṇapati came to be known as Cimaṇ Gaṇeśa.

This temple, located a stone’s throw from Chavadi Naka on the Pen-Khopoli road, appears from the outside like a tiled-roof house; yet, upon entering, one comprehends its ancient wooden architecture. Standing on a high plinth, this two-storied temple is structured with a sabhamandapa (assembly hall) and a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The entire wooden construction of this temple, dating back approximately one hundred years, remains robust even today. Within the sabhamandapa, images of the Ashtavinayaka are enshrined. Beyond the sabhamandapa, leaving space for a pradakshina marga (circumambulatory path), lies the garbhagriha. In this garbhagriha, a beautiful murti (idol) of Shri Ganapati is gracefully seated upon a large, intricately carved stone. 

This divine murti, carved from marble, stands but sixteen inches tall. Lord Ganesha is seated with His left foot resting on His right knee, and His trunk curves to the left. His lower right hand is in the abhaya mudra, bestowing fearlessness, while His lower left hand holds a modaka. In His upper right hand, He holds a parashu, and in His upper left, a pasha—these are the sacred weapons of Ganapati. Near His feet is a small murti of Mushaka, His divine vehicle. A unique feature of this murti is that Lord Ganesha is seated upon a peacock throne, a Mayurasana. Peacocks are carved into the golden prabhavali behind Him, their feathers adorned with various precious stones. Intricate patterns grace the arched prabhavali, and the sacred Omkara is carved at the top. Though this temple has undergone renovations from time to time, the original structure of the temple and the sacred murti have been lovingly preserved. The murti currently enshrined in the garbhagriha was consecrated in nineteen eighteen, and the present temple structure was built in nineteen twenty-seven. An old-style clock, still ticking faithfully, remains in this temple. It bears an inscription stating that it was offered by Shri Bhaskar Ra. Damle in nineteen thirty-three.

In this sacred temple, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with immense fervour and devotion. Similarly, the auspicious occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami is also observed here with great festivity. During these times, the temple is adorned with beautiful and captivating illuminations. On the day of Dahi Handi, a grand procession of Shri Krishna is taken out from here. As Chiman Ganesha is renowned for fulfilling the wishes of devotees and rushing to their aid when called upon, hundreds of devotees visit daily for darshan.

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