Chilkur Balaji temple, one of the oldest temples of Hyderabad, is a traditional and ancient Hindu temple which is located on the banks of Osman Sagar lake nearer to Hyderabad.
This historic temple of Telangana region was constructed in the time of Akkanna and Madanna, the uncles of Bhaktha Ramadasu (of Bhadrachalam). The legend of Chilkur Balaji is: Madhav Reddy, a devotee of Lord Venkateswara visit Tirupathi every year. One year he was unable to visit Tirupathi due to ill health. Lord Venkateshwara appeared in his dream and told him not to worry. Also Lord told him that he is there in the nearby Jungle. The devotee went to the jungle and found the idol of Lord Venkateswara. Accidentally, while digging up, the axe struck Lord Balaji’s idol below the chin. The devotee got surprised as blood started flowing from the “wounds” of Lord Venkateshwara’s idol. The devotee also heard a voice in the air ”Flood the mole-hill with cow’s milk“. The devotee did the same,a Swayambhu idol of Lord Balaji accompanied by Sridevi and Bhoodevi was found and the temple is constructed at this place.
Approximately 75,000 devotees visit Chilkur Balaji Temple every week. During Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday this temple is filled with huge crowd. The God here is popularly known as Visa God because many of the devotees who come here, pray the Lord Balaji for their Visas. Chilkur Balaji temple is the only temple in our country where they doesn’t accept money. Also there is no ‘Hundi’ in this temple and there is absolutely no special treatment for the VIP’s. The temple management and devotees strongly believe that all are equal to God. The trustee of this temple fought and won the right to stay beyond the government control for this temple.
The tradition of this temple is devotees who visit the temple for the first time, do 11 circumambulations (or Pradakshina) of the temple and makes a wish to God that they will do 108 circumambulations (or Pradakshina) if their wish is fulfilled. The majority wishes to this Chilkur Balaji God are related to Visas. 11 (1 and 1) means 1 soul and 1 body. Its means one has to integrate soul and body with devotion and dedication on the God.
The 108 circumambulations have a special meaning. 1 represents existence of God, 0 represents Creation and 8 represents “human body needs 8 months to come into this universe”.
The temple at Chilkur is managed by the hereditary trustee Sri M.V.Soundara Rajan and Sri C.S. Gopala Krishna. The entire family of the Archakas, including the women are dedicated themselves to serve the God.
Distance:
– 25Kms from Secunderabad Railway Station
– 21.5 Kms from Mehdipatnam
– 26.5 Kms from MGBS Hyderabad
Location: Located near Osman Sagar Lake in Hyderabad (Gandipet)
Temple Timings: Daily 5.00 A.M – 8.00 P.M
Interesting Facts:
1) Chilkur Balaji is also called a Visa God.
2) Very powerful God. Make a wish with 11 Pradakshanas and God will make you do 108 Pradakshanas.
Buses Availability:
– Plenty of Buses from Mehdipatnam. Bus Service Number 288D and 288C are available from Mehdipatnam very frequently.
– Best way is to reach Mehdipatnam and from there catch 288D or 288C bus. Journey time by bus from Mehdipatnam is around 40min.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
– Osman Sagar Lake (also called as Gandipet).
– Himayat Sagar Lake
– Sagar Mahal (Guest House of Nizam)
Address & Contact Numbers:
Chilkur Balaji temple
Moinabad Mandal, Chilkur, Rangareddy – 501504
Contact # +91 8417 235933