- December 16, 2024
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Shree Balaji Temple located in the Venkatnarayana Road is a famous temple. The presiding deities in this temple are Lord Venkateshwara and his consort Alamelu Mangai. Both are worshipped at one place.
On entering the temple complex, one can see the Bali Peetham and the tall Dhwaja stambha (flag staff). Next to the Bali Peetham and the Dhwaja-stambham, there is a Thiru Mamani Mandapam. This is the entrance hall, with dimensions exactly same as at Thirumala temple. In this entrance hall, the two statues are of Dwara Baalakas Jaya and Vijaya are seen. There is also the Ardha Mandapam and Garbha Griham (sanctum sanctorum) built according to the Aagama/Shilpa shaastras. The architecture is almost the replica of the sacred Thirumala Shreene. The inner dimensions of the Garbha Griham are similar to that of Thirumala Thirupathi. Below the Mani Mandapam is Kalyana Mandapam.
Before reaching the main god, you can see Lord Hayagrivar engraved in gold and silver. As you exit after the main dharshan (vision), you see Lord Ranganathar in his resting posture along with Goddess Laxmi, Bhoo Devi, and Brahma. There are also a few beautiful Panchaloha idols of Shreenivasa with Shreedevi and Bhoodevi. These are known as Utsavar (procession) idol images for festivities.
There are also the idols of Shree Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya. There are also the beautiful idols of the Shree Krishna with Rukmini. These images are similar to those at the Thirumala Shrine. There is also an image of Shree Chakkarathalwar — Shree Sudharsana. On the other side of the same idol is the image of Shree Narasimha. In the Ardha Mandapam, is the Panchaloha idol of Shree Ramanuja. The Shreevari Hundi is housed patterned after Thirumala in the courtyard.
People can stand close to the lord and see the omnipresent lord looking divine, powerful and smiling. The advantage for people here is they can stand really close to the deity and pray for a few minutes. People visit in thousands to this temple on New Year Day to seek the blessings of the Lord and Goddess. The people are not allowed to enter beyond the Ardha Mandapam. Just behind the Ardha Mandapam is the Garbha Griham (sanctum sanctorum) where the Lord stands smiling majestically.
Lord Venketeshwar has a beautiful crown adorning him embedded with precious stones. The majestic deity stands tall from Pheetam to Kreetam and was sculpted at Mamallapuram near Chennai out of a single rock. The deity Lord Venkateshwar looks very similar to the one Swayambhu in Thirupathi. At the right foot of the lord is a small silver idol which is called Bhoga Shreenivasa or Kautuka Bera. This idol is loosely bonded to the main Moolavar (main) idol by a string.
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
Airport: The nearest airport is at Chennai International airport.
Railways: Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore are the two main long distance train stations. The nearest railway station to this temple is Mambalam railway station.
Road: The temple is near to the T Nagar bus terminus. Buses are available to T Nagar from all points and locations in Chennai.
Morning 6 AM to Evening 9 PM
Thirumala Thirupathi Devasthanam / Shree Balaji Temple,
New No:26 Old No:50, Venkatanarayana Rd,
T Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 017.
