Having heard so much about the miracles of Lord Balaji and to take His blessings I moved early from my place to visit the temple by 6 am. Located at Chilkur in Hyderabad and on the banks of Osman Sagar, Sri Chilkur Balaji Temple is one of the ancient Hindu temples of Lord Balaji Venkateshwara. Also known as Visa Balaji Temple, it is one of the oldest temples in Telengana built during the period of Akkanna and Madanna, the uncles of Bhakta Ramadas and is situated 33 km away from Mehedipatnam.
Chilkur Balaji Temple Hyderabad | Image Resource : incredible-india.sanjeevnitv.com
Devotees from all around visits Sri Chilkur Balaji Temple and their numbers reach in lakhs in a week. The temple timings are from 6 am to 6 pm and the temple is open daily. The temple derived its name of Visa Balaji temple as most wishes are visa related. I was touched to know that this temple does not accept any money from devotees and all devotees are treated equally without any privileges for VIPs. As I entered the temple premises I was very much enthusiastic to know the temple story. Temple Pujari on being asked told me how a devotee of Lord Balaji who used to visit Tirupati temple every year once could not go due to illness and Lord Balaji appeared in his dream to indicate this place. So the Swayambhu deity of Lord Balaji along with Sridevi and Bhoodevi was found by the devotee here and later was installed with full rituals and rites.
During Poolangi, Annakota and Brahmothsavams, the auspicious days of Hindus, the temple is heavily crowded by worshippers flocking here. The sight of the Idol and his consorts filled me with immense peace. As per ritual if a devotee seeks a wish he has to do 11circumambulations around the main shrine and vow to revisit on fulfilment of his wish to offer 108 Parikramas around the main Sanctum Sanctorum. I prayed with full devotion feeling the shower of His blessings on me. I chanted the mantra of Lord Vishnu I knew and surrendered myself completely. The visit to this temple has proved to be very relaxing and soothing.