Travel the World!!!: hyderabad

Oct 3, 2013

Chilkur Balaji Temple, Chilkur, Hyderabad, India

Location: Chilkur, Hyderabad

Built by: In the reign of Akkanna and Madanna, the uncles of Bhakta Ramdas

Also known as: Visa Balaji Temple or Visa God

Primary deity: Lord Balaji

Important Festivals: Poolangi, Annakota and Brahmothsavams.

Attraction: Hundi-less temple

INTRODUCTION

Chilkur Balaji is a well-known Temple, it is prevalently known as Visa God or Visa Balaji Temple. It is an olden Hindu temple of Lord Balaji located on the banks of Lake Osman Sagar, which is near Hyderabad, India. This temple is around 17 km from Mehedipatnam.

Apart from this, it is known to be the only temple in

India

where no money is accepted from devotees.

HISTORY

By viewing, the visitors can infer that Chilkur Balaji Temple was constructed half a millennium ago. Being the oldest temple in Hyderabad, it attracts loads of visitors every year. It was built or constructed during the reign of Akkanna and Madanna, the uncles of Bhakta Ramdas. The devotees are sure to find this temple as the appropriate place to follow meditation and sequestered retreat.

Discovery of Holy Cave

The discovery and construction of this holy temple were carried out during the reign of Akkanna and Madanna. And in a year after the Sino-Indian War in 1963, the statue of Ammavaru was mounted.

HOW TO REACH

The Chilkur Balaji Temple is positioned on the banks of Lake Osmansagar. And is surrounded by serene neighborhoods having plush small rocks and green trees in a village named as Chilkur. The temple is approximately 33 km away from Mehedipatnam.

By Air

If you travel by air to the temple then the nearest Airport Hyderabad will supply you with taxis to get to the place.

By Rail

Nampally Railway Station is 32 kms (20.00 miles) away or far from the Chilkur Balaji Temple. You can also avail or hire a rented car for the same.

By Road

If you favor economical transport, you can catch a city bus from Hyderabad or Secunderabad railway station to Mehidipatnam and get into a share auto rickshaw from there otherwise hire a call taxi. They charge approximately 10 rupees per kilometer.

IMPORTANT SHRINES

The shrine is influential for the temple's attractiveness as Visa God. The Shiva shrine within the temple grounds is among the more notable features.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TEMPLE

The common and majority wishes made in this temple by devotees are related to visa. This is why, Chilkur Balaji is also denoted to as 'Visa' Balaji. And the devotees have to keep their eyes open while performing darshan of God idol in the temple.

WEATHER AND TIME TO VISIT

Generally temple gets a heavy rush on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. If you want to go on the weekend better go in the early hours around 5.30AM

ACCOMODATION

There are hundreds of accommodation choices available for the visitors, including mainly hotels which are surrounded nearby the location itself. Being a popular tourist and destination, it is advised to make prior bookings.

TIPS FOR DEVOTEES

The place is generally crowded during the weekends, hence you should travel in early hours to avoid rush at these days.

RULES AND RITUALS OF THE TEMPLE

The usual rituals carried out by devotees include prayer and 11 circumambulations of the interior shrine, and makes a vow. After the wish is fulfilled, then the devotees have to walk 108 times round the shrine Sanctorum.

IMAGES

http://www.travel.ithappensinindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Chilkur-Balaji-Temple.jpg

http://undiscoveredindiantreasures.blogspot.in/2012/04/chilkur-balaji-god-with-visa-power.html

VIDEOS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GiuJ4ivbzs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmZZGABWG0E

REFERENCES

http://chilkurbalajitemple.blogspot.in/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilkur_Balaji_Temple

http://wikimapia.org/4086149/Chilkur-Balaji-Temple

Oct 2, 2013

Ashtalakshmi Temple, Andhra Pradesh, India

Location: Vasavi Colony, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Built by: Kanchi Kamatoki Peetam

Primary deity: Goddess Lakshmi

Important Festivals: Brahmotsavam

Attraction: Eight Forms of Goddess Laksmi

INTRODUCTION

Ashtalakshmi Temple is devoted to Goddess Lakshmi located in Hyderabad, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. It is popular hindu temple and is situated on the outskirts of the capital city between L B Nagar and Dilsukh Nagar in Vasavi colony close to Kothapet on National Highway 9. Since this temple has South Indian Architectural touch in its design, it stands out as different from other monuments of the area which mostly have touch of Islamic architecture. Goddess Lakshmi is known as the goddess of wealth and prosperity among Hindu pantheon and thus it holds special significance in devotees’ mind and heart. The temple seems to be made of marble when seen from a distance and the illumination of this temple at night enchants the devotees. There are suggestions and proposals of constructing a Kalyana Mandapama and Archaka Nilayam at an additional cost of rs 1.5 crores.

HISTORY

The construction of the temple completed in April 1996 under the aegis of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. The structure and design was conceived by M. Mathiyalagan Sthapathi and Padmashri S.M. Ganapati Sthapathi. A temple in Chennai was taken as the model for coming up with design and architecture for Ashtalakshmi temple. But, later on, several changes were introduced after the commencement of the construction. It was a collective effort with donations coming from people belonging to different walks of life. To come to its present magnificent grandeur, the temple took Rs 1 crore and five years.

HOW TO REACH

By Air

The nearest airport is in Hyderabad located near Shamasabad which has flights coming from almost every corner of the country.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Hyderabad station which is merely at 12 km from the temple complex.

By Road

The temple is very well connected via road as it lies on the NH 9. The buses and taxies ply at regular intervals for the temple.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TEMPLE

The temple is famous for being adorned by eight magnificent forms of Goddess Lakshmi. Adilakshmi. Sanatanalakshmi, Gajalakshmi, Dhanyalakshmi, Dhanalakshmi, Aishwarylakshmi, Varalakshmi and Vijayalakshmi are the eight idols of Goddess Lakshmi in eight different postures that adorn the temple.The gopuram of the temple is decorated by complex and fascinating carvings. The Mahagopuram of the temple is adorned by 134 idols of less popular gods.

It is also believed that the devotees who come here with full faith and belief are bestowed with prosperity and happiness.

WEATHER AND TIME TO VISIT

The temple receives the highest influx of devotees during the period of Brahmotsavam. It is a festival held annually from September to October. The best time to visit this temple is August to February.

ACCOMODATION

There are several modes of accommodation available nearby the temple complex. One can easily find hotels offering from budget to luxury accommodation.

TIPS FOR DEVOTEES

The temple remains open from 6 in the morning to 12 noon and 5 in the evening to 9 at night. On Fridays, the timings extend one hour towards the end of each session i.e. 6AM to 1PM and 5 PM to 9PM. On Sundays, the timings are 6AM to 1 PM and 5PM to 9PM.

There is no entrance fee charged for this temple.

IMAGES

http://hyderabad.clickindia.com/tourism/ashtalakshmitemple.html

http://www.ebharat.in/andhra-pradesh/hyderabad/ashtalakshmi-devi-temple-hyderabad

VIDEOS