Trip to Chilkur Balaji Temple : Hyderabad

This temple was used to be a very small temple in a village called Chilkur, some 25 kilometers from Hyderabad, with very few visitors and that too local only and from nearby villages. It is only in last 10-15 years that fate of this temple is changed and it becomes one of the most popular and crowded temples of Andhra Pradesh. 

It is also known as Visa temple. It is believed to be the only temple of India which is known to help the devotees to get their VISAs to travel abroad with specialization in US VISAs obtaining which is really a very big challenge these days due to the new stringent rules. 

I am planning to visit this place from a long time not with the intention of getting VISA but out of inquisitiveness. And on 1 fine Sunday, my plan materialized. We started from our home at 5:30 am in the morning. We started early because I was very well aware that this temple attracts huge number of crowd especially on weekends. We reached temple at 6:30 am and there was decent crowd in the temple, however no queue. After a Darshan, we take 11 rounds of Parikrama (circumambulation) around main temple. It is believed that once your wish is fulfilled, then you have to come back and do 108 rounds of Parikrama. Since it is quite difficult to remember, numeric card is given free with numbers from 1 to 108 written on it so that once you complete 1 round, you mark it on paper. 

There is an amazing story behind why this temple became as the VISA temple of India. It is believed that few people reiterated their tale of getting Visa after visiting this temple to the priests of the temple. And these tales passed like conflagration with word of mouth and rest is the history, as we all know it. 

This is a temple of youngsters. I have heard this sentence from many people and read it at many places but was not sure what it is implying unless I visited the temple. There is 1 commentary going on in the temple by the priest with really high voice on loudspeakers instead of Bhajan/spiritual songs and he is talking about the attachment of our youth with Facebook and other social media site. I was kind of shocked and at the same time, the cognizant of the priests about Social media were also appreciable.  It is when I realized why this place is called as the temple of youngsters.            

Also, it is continuously announced by the priests that please keep your eyes open during the Darshan as God wants to see the sincerity in your eyes. 

One of the good things about this temple is that they do not have any Hundi for donation; however they have mentioned different bank accounts on the walls of the temple and thus, if you want to contribute, you can directly transfer the amount in bank account and thereby ensuring that your money is going straight to the hands of Temple management committee. 

After completing the Darshan, we had a breakfast just outside the temple. This place reminds me of Shakumbara Devi near my hometown Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where we used to go frequently with my family members.

We have completed everything by 7:30 am and decided to go back. Early morning ride on Activa and that too in villages of Andhra Pradesh away from the traffic of Hyderabad was quite a break. 

I would recommend this place to everyone especially if you are looking for a small picnic with your family for half day. I will also suggest to go as early as possible in the morning to  beat the crowd and also to enjoy the ride more. 

On our route back to Hyderabad, we passed through Mrugvani National park. As we have lot of time at our disposal and we have already completed everything before the time as we planned so we thought of visiting this place. But then came to know that this place will open at 9am. So, we waited. There was nobody except 2 of us and 1 security guard. 
 

Please let me know if you have any questions/doubts regarding planning your trip to this place.

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Trip to Hampi - Part 3: Day 1 - Mustard Ganesha, Krishna Temple and Queen's Bath

7th Dec, 2013. Saturday

Mustard Ganesha

Mustard Ganesha. Snake is visible at tummy

We started our sightseeing with this great structure. Associated legend is that once Lord Ganesha ate too much and to protect his tummy from bursting, he tied a snake around it. This structure is carved out such that snake is visible on Lord’s tummy. As most of the people start their tour from this place, Site map of Hampi is also installed here to assist the tourists. This place is built in very large area and if you will explore the place, there are also some Jain temples nearby and also , you can also go to Hampi tower as they are connected from behind. I must recommend you to at least go to the top as one can get a very good view of Hampi. Please refer some pictures that I am sharing.  

Another way to Hampi tower through Mustard Ganesha: Famous among those who explore by walking

Sometimes I wonder how these stones are balanced. Even at some of the places, I was scared thinking that stones can fall anytime

  

Krishna Temple

This temple was built by the King Krishnadevraya to push the boat out in memory of successful conquest of the kingdom which is referred as Orissa presently.  King brought the idol of Balakrishna (Lord Krishna as a child) and installed it here, however not the idol is shifted to museum of Madras. One strange thing I noticed that there is no idol in any temple in Hampi except Virupaksha. All the idols were now shifted to different museum where they are more safe, to preserve the culture and history. The walls of the temple are adorned with some very exquisite carvings. 

This temple is also in very dilapidated state like other structures of Hampi. Some construction was going on when we visited the temple to prevent it from collapsing. Outside the temple, you can see the huge hall like structure which was once the happening Market of the era called as Krishna Bazaar. It is evident from the structures that it was kind of Market. Halls were built the way we can see the vendors in any fair and exhibition. 

Krishna Complex

This was a nice place and we spent quite a good time here simply observing the place.The best part was that nobody was here except for 2,3 people. Hampi is a kind of place where in some of the sites, you feel that there is no else in this world, they are acutely desolated.

Just after Krishna Temple: On our way to Queen's Bath

 

 

Queen’s Bath

This looks very splendour and exotic and is used by the Queen’s to take the bath. As soon as I saw this, the song “Is Reshmi Paazeb Ki Jhankar” from the movie Laila Majnu came to my mind where the actresses take the bath in similar striking pool. This place can be compared with the best of Spa’s of this age. It would be difficult for me to explain the grand structure of this place which is also the engineering marvel of that era showcasing the talent of craftsmen of that era who took care of inflow, outflow, and sewage and also heating the water naturally and so on. 

Queen's Bath

It is believed that queen used to take bath with the assistance of other ladies/servants who also used to throws flower from the top. Such majestic baths can be found at many places in India, for example Red fort is one of them. Though the structure is now in very dilapidated state and one can imagine its charm when it was alive.

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Complete Hampi trip Posts Compilation so far

About Hampi and what to expect in Hampi

Day 1:

Day 1 Itinerary

Mustard Ganesha, Krishna Temple and Queen's Bath 

Vijaya Vittala Temple

Day 2:

Day 2: Itinerary 

Trek to Mathanga Hills

Day 3:

Day 3: Itinerary

Restaurants in Hampi

Jagannath Puri Temple : Replicated at Hyderabad

Yesterday evening, I visited Lord Jagannath puri temple in Hyderabad, located in Banjara hills with my wife. I have been to this temple in Orissa also during my childhood. Few years back, this temple is replicated in Hyderabad also. Although not that large but the design is same. 

  

Taken from entrance 1

While the main structure of temples houses the Lord Krishna along with his brother Balaram and Subhadra, it also has  small surrounding temple  of  Lord Ganesh, Lord Shiva , Goddess Bhimala, Goddess Laxmi, Shri Hanuman  and Navgraha (Nine Planet Lords).

There are total 3 entrances to this temple. I have tried to capture the temple from all the 3 entrances.  Different mythological events and gods are painted on the wall of temple both inside and outside. There are more than 50 pictures and each had a story to tell. It is a good way to teach children about the various important events.I saw many people explaining their little ones about the paintings and also taking their pictures.
 

 

Entrance 2 : Taken from across the road

Entrance 3: Also showing small paintings of events of mythological importance

  We reached there at around 4:30 and came to know that it will open at 5pm. Thus, we spent half an hour outside the temple. The temples premises both inside and outside are very clean and the ambiance is also pure. I really like the time I spent in temple. Photography is not allowed inside temple but I think it was not taken seriously because there is no check on people taking camera inside and people were taking photographs freely in front of temple authorities. Initially hesitated but then I have also started taking pictures. So, I think they are referring not to take the photographs of Lord inside the main temple. The unique feature of this temple is its amazing location and cleanliness.

Trip to Holy Pilgrimage: Tirupati Venkateswara Temple - Part 3- Tirupati Balaji temple, Kapileshwara and Padmavati

This post is in continuation to my last post: 

Trip toHolyPilgrimage: Tirupati Venkateswara Temple - Part1

Trip toHolyPilgrimage: Tirupati Venkateswara Temple - Part2 -Sirvari Padam, SiloThoranam, Hathiram Matt and 3 Teerthams

11th August.

We woke up exactly at 00:00 hrs. as the clock hit the beginning  of the new day. We were ready by 1 and begun to go to temple but as soon as we step out, we came to know that wearing Lungi is mandatory for the people going to Suprabhatam Seva. We went back again and changed our clothes. Luckily, we have purchased it in the evening as the VIP protocol person told us that gents need to wear lungi but we were not sure as some of the people also told that wearing Lungi is not Mandatory but when we saw everyone dressed traditionally in lungi, we give up to the benefit of doubt and changed out clothes. We had our challenges in wearing Lungi and carrying it as it was the first time in my life. Many times, I need to hold it with my hand and also I was constantly scared if it unfolds. In the temple, I took a safety pin from my wife and used it to hold the lungi. It was helpful; however, I was not very confident about it also.

We reached at the Vaikuntam Queue complex at around 1:30 am. We met some local guys there and came to know lot of things about the temple. We came to know that local people come to Tirupati 2,3 times every year and the devotion of local people is very real and pure unlike mine, honestly speaking. At 2, the gates opened. Ticket was checked 3, 4 times and wearing Lungi was also mandatory. I was surprised and at the same time, impressed by the fool proof security of the temple. At around 3, we entered in the main temple and the Seva was started. It went for 30 minutes. Unlike last time, this time, i had the opportunity to spend a time and got a good Darshan. The whole experience was very satisfying. After that, we spent our time in temple for 2 hours as the atmosphere was very pure and we can feel the vibrations. 

Courtesy: Google Images

There is 1 very interesting story related to this temple. It is said that Lord Kubera lent money to the God Venkateswara/Vishnu to meet the expenses for his marriage with Padmavati .Lord Venkateshwara will continue to pay Kuber the loan till the end of Kali Yuga which will last for 432,000 years. In remembrance of this, the devotees going to Tirupati donate money and gold in Venkateswara’s Hundi so that he can repay Lord Kubera.

Tirupati Temple. Courtesy: Google Images

Prasadam. Courtesy: Google Images

It seemed that coming to here has pressed the refreshed button of my life. I felt so great. We came out of temple at around 5 am and now it’s the time to collect Prasadam, Laddus. 

Finally we reached at our Guest House at 6am and thought of catching some sleep.  We woke up again at 8am only to go back to Tirupati. Our returning train to Hyderabad was Nine Hills express which was scheduled at 3 pm from Tirupati. 

We have around 4 hours available for sight-seeing in Tirupati. We visited the various places at Tirupati: 

1.ISCKON Temple

First of all, we went to ISKCON temple. I have visited this temple in Mathura, New Delhi and here It is no different. The building and atmosphere was very beautiful, however but I do not like the idea of making ISCKON in Tirupati. This temple looks good in delhi, mumbai but imagine this temple in places like Badrinath, Vaishno devi, i don't think it will be appreciated.

Courtesy: Google Images

2. Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple, Tirupati 

 It is situated about 3 km to the north of Tirupati, at the foot of the Tirumala Hills. The sacred waterfall called Kapila Teertham (also known as Alwar Teertham) is located here. It is believed that in old days, people start their journey to Tirumala from here after taking bath in this Teertham.

 

 3. Tiruchanur Padmavati Temple   

 This temple is about 5 km from Tirupati. The temple of Sri Padmavathi Devi who is the consort of Lord Sri Vishnu is situated here. It is believed that your Darshan/visit to Tirupati Balaji temple will be considered as complete only if you visit the Sri Padmavathi Devi temple.

Folklore is that Lord Vishnu  admired the sage, Bhrigu Maharshi, even though the sage had insulted Vishnu by kicking him on the chest. In anger, Sri Maha Lakshmi (the Lord's consort) reached Patala Loka (hell), where she heard a divine voice stating that a pushkarini was dug on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi, immersed her in penance for 12 years. In the 13th year (during the month of Karteeka) Sri Padmavathi emerged from a golden lotus. It is believed that Goddess MahaLakshmi herself emerged as Sri Padmavathi. When we reached here at 12, we were so tired and the huge crowd discouraged us. We purchased the tickets for Special Darshan, however, still it take around 1 hour to get the Darshan. The statue of Devi was amazingly beautiful. After the main Darshan, I took a rest in temple premises while other members were continued to explore other sub temples in the main temple. 

 Weather was very hot and even we didn't have the proper sleep.

 There were many temples left but we were so tired because of missing a sleep that we decided to go to railway station and waits for a train although there were 2 hours still left. 

We boarded a train at 3 pm and reached Hyderabad at 5 am on 12th August. I must say it was one of its kind experience. Looking forward for many more trips.