Chilkur
Balaji Temple
Chilkur Balaji
Temple
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Name
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Proper name:
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Chilkur Balaji Temple
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Location
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Location:
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Architecture and
culture
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History
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Date built:
(Current structure) |
1500s
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Website:
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Chilkur Balaji Temple (Telugu: చిలుకూరు
బాలాజీ దేవాలయము) popularly known as Visa
Balaji Temple or Visa God is an ancient Hindu temple of Lord Balaji on the banks of Osman Sagar Lake near Hyderabad,
India. It is 17 km from Mehedipatnam. It is one
of the oldest temples in Hyderabad built during the time of Madanna and Akkanna,
the uncles of Bhakta Ramadas.[1]
the shrine is instrumental for
the temple's popularity as Visa God.
It is also the only temple in
India that does not accept any money, does not have a hundi,
from the devotees,[2] no green channel or privileges for
VVIPs, and it fought and won the right to stay out of government control except
for the temple "Ramanuj Kot", a temple in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.[3]
Contents
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History and
legend
From the style, structure and
appearance, it can be inferred that the temple was built half a millennium ago.
Set in sylvan surroundings, Chilkur Balaji Temple attracts millions of pilgrims
every year and is an ideal place for sequestered retreat and meditation. It
enjoyed in the past, great days of pomp and glory.
The temple is one of the
oldest in Hyderabad, having been built during the time of Akkanna and Madanna,
the uncles of Bhakta Ramdas. According to tradition, a devotee who used to
visit Tirupati every year could not do so on one occasion owing to serious ill
health. Lord Venkateshwara appeared in his dream and said, "I am right
here in the jungle nearby. You don't have to worry." The devotee at once
moved to the place indicated by the Lord in the dream and saw a molehill there, which he dug up. Accidentally,
the axe struck Lord Balaji's idol (covered by the molehill) below the chin and
on the chest. Surprisingly blood started flowing profusely from the
"wounds", flooding the ground and turning it scarlet. The devotee
could not believe his eyes. He could not believe his ears when he heard a voice
from the air saying, "Flood the molehill with cow's milk." When the
devotee did so, a Swayambhu idol of Lord Balaji accompanied by Sridevi and
Bhoodevi (a rare combination) was found, and this idol was installed with the
due rites and a temple built for it.
Sri Balaji Venkateshwara, the
Pratyaksha Daiva in Kaliyuga, is thus available at Chilkur to shower blessings
on His devotees who for any reason are unable to go to Tirupati. Many devout
worshippers flock to the temple to receive the blessings of the Lord and his
consorts throughout the year particularly during Poolangi, Annakota and
Brahmothsavams.
With the earnest desire to
revive the former glory and importance of the temple, the idol of Ammavaru was
installed in 1963, the year following the Chinese aggression. When the
aggression was unilaterally vacated, Ammavaru was given the name of Rajya
Lakshmi, signifying this welcome event. The unique feature of this idol is that
lotus flowers are held in three hands and the fourth hand is in a position
towards the lotus feet which signifies the doctrine of Saranagathi.
The temple has been visited by
great Acharyas from time to time. A visit to the temple is a must for the Jeer
of Sri Ahobila Mutt every time he visits the twin cities, and in the temple is
installed the idol of the first Jeer. The Tilakayaths of Sri Vallabhacharya
Sampradaya have been regularly visiting the shrine. Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya
of Sringeri Mutt and his disciple graced the efforts of the trustees in
improving the temple.[4]
Visit ritual
During a visit the devotee
goes through the usual rituals of prayer, including 11 circumambulations of the inner shrine, and makes
a vow. Once the wish is fulfilled devotees then walk 108 times around the
sanctum sanctorum. The majority of wishes by devotees are visa related, thus Chilkur Balaji is also
referred to as 'Visa' Balaji.[5]
The 11 circumambulations
represent the secret of creation — 11 means "1 soul and 1 body" —
uniting both with devotion and full determination to fulfill wish, dedicate on
the lord; there is no second, everything is god.
In the 108 circumambulations,
1 represents the Existence, Almighty, God (Paramathma, Balaji in
the minds of the devotee), 0 represents Creation (Illusionary World, Jagath)
and 8 represents Human Body need to come to this universe 8 months (Jivatma).
God is everything; God does
not want anything from devotees; God expects Devotion, Determination and
Dedication from devotees. This temple has chance to surrender the above aspects
with God.
Location and
transportation
The temple is located on the
banks of Osmansagar Lake with serene environs with lush green trees and small
rocks in a village called as Chilkur.
Bus
service is available to Chilkur Balaji Temple from Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad with
APSRTC(Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) bus bearing service
number 288D every 15 minutes, with 40-minute drive through Langer
House,Artillery Centre,Maisamma Temple, Police Academy. A few other services
are available from APSRTC Bus Service.
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