Surat - Balaji Mandir 

This is one of the much-frequented and efficiently managed Vaishnava temple that brought immortality to the builder Sri Krishna Arjunji Nathji Trivedi. Though there are many more places of worship dedicated to Ambaji, Kalika mata, Hanuman, Mahadev and renowned Jain pravaktas, this has greater pull, since it shares many striking features with Balaji of Tirupathi. First and foremost being, it is the household deity of the thriving merchant community migrated from Sourastra and Maharastra, The integral parts of erst- while Bombay state whose devotion to Balaji and their bounteous donation to the shrine are second to none, but to themselves. Moreover, the august icon of the archamurti is an exact prototype of the much-hallowed Tirumala Balaji. This Chaturbhuja Balaji like his counterpart holds in his upperhands disc and conch and the right lower one revealing abhaya, whereas the left touching the knee signifying the knee depth of the samsarasagara, if soulful prayers are off--red. Being a wealthy merchant and banker of the East India Company, he spent lavishly to make it as important as Tirumala shrine. Though not possessing ail the essential parts as its counter parts of the south, and built in spacious ground, it is accommodating all the adorable deities. It was built between 1803-1819 and on account of commendable upkeep, it looks a modern one. Its plus point is-the archamurti is exceedingly graceful with its size, glistening, sheen and dazzling jewels interspersed with colourful garlands. A single visit lifts the souls and wrings veneration involuntarily.

It is about 3 km off railway station in the town of Surat, the famous port city of Gujarat, accessible by four wheelers.

[ Back ] [ Temples Of India ] [ Up ] [ Next ]