One of the renowned and an ancient temple of Nagpur is Tekdi Ganesh, which is also known as ‘Tekadicha Ganpati’. The name Tekdi Ganpati is attributed to its location as the temple stands on a hill which is called Tekdi in Marathi language. It is the most frequently visited Ganesh temples in the city.
The idol at Ganesh Mandir Tekdi is known as Swayambhu, which means originated on its own. It is said that when the Sitabuldi hill was being broken down by explosions to construct the railway station, the idol was found beneath the ground after one such explosion.
While, some believe that, few years ago, the idol of Lord Ganpati was identified below the Shami tree. Later, the ancient idol of Ganesha was re-installed and was considered as the deity of the town.
The temple carries huge importance among Nagpurians, who daily visit the temple. The forehead of Lord Ganesha is adorned with gold ornamentation. Several worshipers believe that Tekdi Ganesh temple is a Jagruta Devasthan. The lamp lighting and Aarti ceremony are performed thrice in a day. ‘Modaka’ is distributed after performing the Aarti.
According information, Ganesh Tekdi Temple is 250 years old. The idol of Lord Ganesha is believed to be increasing in over a period.
Earlier, Tekdi Ganapati Temple used to be an ordinary shrine with a tin shade and a small platform. Later, the Defence department took its possession and renovations began in the year 1970. After acquiring the adjoining land in 1965, the construction of the temple began in 1978 and completed in 1984.
Late Ganpatrao Joshi and other devotees took an active part in the construction of the Shri Ganesh Tekdi temple. But the allotted land was comparatively small in respect to the large crowd of devotees. The Ministry of Defence granted an additional 20,000 sq ft land.
Every month on Sankashti Chaturthi (fourth day of the month), a large number of devotes visit the temple to pay their respects to the idol of lord Ganesha. Every year on Til Chaturthi – the day that falls during maker sankrati, a grand yatra called Tekdi Ganapati Yatra is organised by the devotees. Ganesh Chaturthi and Ganesh Jayanti are also celebrated every year with great enthusiasm.
