Hyderabad - Balaji Mandir

Bhagyanagar, the capital of Andhra Pradesh is not lacking in spiritual wealth, although ruled over by Muslim Kings for over five centuries odd. Many old shrines in their renovated forms are luring perennial streams of devotees round the year. But the irresistible attraction held by the Birla Mandir, built recently by the Hindustan Charitable Trust under the aegis of Brij Mohan Birla lying in front of the Secretariat defies description. Built in Rajasthan white marble on Naubat Pahad, one of the prominent land marks of the twin cities, it turned out a veritable Bhuloka Vaikunta for theists of all denominations of Hinduism. The modernity exuding from curry frame of architectural design and exquisite artistry displayed by the expert sculptors affords a royal banquet to the eyes of the visitors and beckons never ending repetition of visits. Even a casual visitor or the wavering minded sceptic too fails not locking up this unforgettable darsan in his mind. The craftsmanship demonstrated here does not lag behind the Dilwara white marble temples, which make the Viswakarma gape and gaze for hours and hours. The dazzling sheen and glittering polish together with near finish exude sublimity and establish rapport with the divinities at first sight itself. With the multi-storeyed tall tower, balipeetha on high Bias, broad stairs of white marble steps, mini-shrines of Andal and Mahalakshmi, flanking the Mulavirat of Balaji's mandir are assets peerless, priceless and matchless to speak the truth. The temple is complete in its indispensable parts, like mukhamandap, garbhagriha etc. as enunciated in vastu sastra and so gratifies the orthodox bhaktas too. The black granite icon of archamurti Balaji draped in rustling, silks and dazzling jewels casts enchantment and reminds of his original replica at Tirumala. Along the stair-case there are elegantly built pavilions for Anjaneya, Vinayaka, Maheswar etc. Treasuring up all this invaluables, this shrine is drawing an unending influx of paryatakas and asthikas everyday throughout the year. Agamic regular worship is offered and periodical festivals dear to the Lord are celebrated with great zeal. It is provided with lift service for the aged.

It is surrounded by the biggest land marks of the city of Hyderabad, like the Legislative Assembly, AIR Station, Secretariat, Ravindra Bhavan, Lal Bahadur Stadium etc. and accessible by four wheelers from any part of the city.

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