Chilkur Balaji Temple

Chilkur Balaji Temple
Name
Proper name:	Chilkur Balaji Temple
Location
Country:	India
State:	Andhra Pradesh
Location:	Chilkur Village, Gandipet, Hyderabad
Architecture and culture
Primary deity:	Lord Venkateswara
History
Date built: (Current structure)	1500s
Website:	chilkurbalaji.org

Chilkur Balaji Temple (Telugu: చిలుకూరు బాలాజీ దేవాలయము} {Tamil: சில்குறு பாலாஜி தேவாலயம்) 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 33 Kms away from Mehedipatnam. The Balaji temple is one of the oldest temples in the Telangana region built during the time of Madanna and Akkanna, the uncles of Bhakta Ramadas.^[1]

Approximately, 75,000 to a lakh devotees visit the shrine during the week, but on Fridays and Saturdays, the temple gets close the cumulative of a week.^[2] Many of whom come to pray to Balaji for visas to travel or move to the US and other Western countries.^[3] And its head priest Gopala Krishna is instrumental for the temples 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.^[4] 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.^[5]

History

Twenty Five kilometers from Hyderabad off the Vikarabad road and on the banks of Osmansagar is the picturesque village of Chikur with its hoary temple dedicated to Sri Balaji Venkateshwara. From the style, structure and appearance, it can be inferred that the temple was built half a millennium ago. Set in sylvan surroundings, the temple attracts thousands 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 Telengana, 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 mole- hill there, which he dug up. Accidentally, the axe struck Lord Balaji's idol covered by the mole-hill below the chin and on the chest, and surprisingly blood started flowing profusely from the "wounds", flooding the ground and turning it scarlet. The devotee could not believe his eyes when he saw this. Suddenly he could not believe his ears also when he heard a voice from the air which said,"Flood the mole-hill 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 the 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, and 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 such 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. ^[6]

The Ritual

During the visit the devotee goes through the usual rituals of prayer, including eleven (11) circumambulations of the inner shrine, and makes a vow. Once the wish is fulfilled devotees then carry out 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.

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 devotte), 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.

Thanks to inventor of this Ritual.^[7]

Location

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. BRT is available to Chilkur Balaji Temple from Mehdipatnam,Hyderabad with APSRTC bus bearing service number 288D for every 15 minutes a bus, with 30 minutes drive from heart of Hyderabad City, Few other services are also available from APSRTC BRT. ^[8]

Other Temples

ISKCON Bangalore, also has the deity of Sri Srinivasa Govinda. The archa-vigraha is an incarnation of the Lord in a form appreciable by a devotee. Devotees engage in devotional service of the Lord in His archa-vigraha form, which according to the shastras can be made of material objects such as stone, metal, wood, jewels or paint. These are called sthula, or physical representations. Devotees follow the regulative principles of worship, as enjoined by the scriptures, accepting the physical form of the archa-vigraha as non-different from His original spiritual form. Thus services rendered to the archa-vigraha enable the devotees to achieve the ultimate goal of life which is to be always absorbed in thoughts of the Lord.

Book

Chilukuru Kshetra Charitra is a historical and research book on this most powerful Chilkur Balaji Temple written by noted journalist and Nandi Award Winner Bulemoni Venkateshwarlu in 2005. The Nextstep Publications & Entertainments are released this research book. This is the most popular book on Chilkur Temples History.

The author Bulemoni Venkateshwarlu published stone inscriptions details its trancelations of historical evidences in this book.

References

1. ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chilkur_temple_weaves_dress_code/articleshow/2872372.cms
2. ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chilkur_temple_weaves_dress_code/articleshow/2872372.cms
3. ^ http://www.livemint.com/2007/12/31210623/Indians-seek-help-from-the-8.html?atype=tp
4. ^ http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/04/stories/2008030458260400.htm
5. ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chilkur_temple_weaves_dress_code/articleshow/2872372.cms
6. ^ History of Temple
7. ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1469705.cms
8. ^ http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Earth/Hyderabads_waning_green_glory/articleshow/3272003.cms

External links

• Official site
• GaramChai Feature on Visa God