Tekdi Ganapati Temple, Nagpur is so called because it has been constructed on a hill, and in Marathi, `tekdi` means hill. The Tekdi Ganapati Temple, Nagpur is believed to be 250 years old. During its early years Tekdi Ganapati Temple used to be all of an ordinary tin shade and a small platform, but after the Military Defense wing took over its possession, improvements began in the 1970s. And in 1965 Late Honourable Defense Minister Shri Yashwantrao Chavan arranged the possession of the temple and its adjoining areas to the temple trust. The construction of the Ganapati Temple started in 1978, completing it in the year of 1984, by the grace of the pious devotees contributing in heavy amounts.
Late Ganpatrao Joshi and other devotees who took active part in the construction of the Shri Ganesh Tekdi temple played the main role. But it was found that the allotted land was comparatively small in respect to the huge crowd of devotees. The trustees of the temple again appealed to the Ministry of defense to sanction the expansion of more land, as a result 20,000 more sq. ft. land was awarded to the previous premises. Now, the new project intends to beautify the surrounding lawn, garden, water fountain and the parking zone.
The idol is legendary to have been self-existent. Originally the idol was small, but gradually it grew bigger and bigger, increasing in size. The idol has gold ornamentation on the forehead. Other silver wares can also be noticed. Amongst all these fineries, particular pieces like Mukut (diadem) are exhibited on Chaturthi and Ekadeshi only. The worshippers believe that this temple is Jagruta (awake) Devasthan, so it is crowded at all times, from morning till midnight. Around 5000 people visit the temple daily. The number goes up to 10,000 during the time Chaturthi. The monthly alms giving of the devotees of Tekdi Ganapati Temple is about 3 to 4 lakh. The lamp lighting (Aarti) ceremony is performed thrice a day- morning at 6.30 AM, afternoon at 12.30 PM and in the evening at 6.30 PM. As a divine gift, a `Modaka` is distributed after these Aartis, this being the specialty of the temple.
The existing managing body of Trustees is adapted by the High Court. Generally the election of the temple is held after every five years.
