Chintaman Ganesh Temple
Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh · Lord Ganesha · Ganesha Temple
The largest Ganesha shrine in Ujjain, listed on MP Tourism as a core Malwa tirtha stop.
Chintaman Ganesh is listed among the principal temples of Ujjain on Madhya Pradesh Tourism’s Ujjain pages. Devoted to Ganesha, it is described as the largest Ganesha shrine in the city and is traditionally linked to Paramara-era building in the Malwa region.
History
MP Tourism’s Ujjain guide places Chintaman Ganesh among the city’s must-visit mandirs alongside Mahakaleshwar, noting an 11th–12th century Paramara-period association for the present architectural tradition.
Pilgrims commonly visit before or after Mahakaleshwar darshan as part of the same Ujjain yatra.
Stories
The self-manifested Ganesha who removes worries
The Ganesha enshrined at Ujjain is believed to be swayambhu, or self-manifested. Locally he is called Chintaman, and in older usage Chintaharan, the remover of worries. He is shown flanked by his consorts Riddhi and Siddhi. It is also said that the original shrine goes back to the age of the Ramayana and was established by Sita. This is a matter of belief rather than recorded history.
A Paramara-era shrine in the Malwa market
The present temple is dated to the eleventh and twelfth centuries, when the Paramara dynasty ruled Malwa. Its finely carved stone pillars in the assembly hall and white shrine speak of that age.
It stands across the Kshipra river from Ujjain, around 7 km south-west of the old town centre, and today sits amid a busy market. Pilgrims commonly visit it along with the Mahakaleshwar temple.
Good to know
Largest Ganesha temple in Ujjain per MP Tourism listings
Paramara-period Malwa architectural tradition
Natural stop on the Ujjain tirtha circuit
Getting there
Reach Ujjain by rail (Ujjain Junction) or air via Indore (~55 km). Local autos connect the temple precinct within the city.
Best time to visit: Oct – Mar