The Balaji Temple is the situated in Nerul, Navi Mumbai which is built on the lines of Venkateshwara Temple at Tirupati and has been constructed according to the Shilpashastras.
The Temple :
This temple is built on the lines of Venkateshvara temple at Tirupati and has been constructed according to the Shilpashastras. The subsidiary temples, Vidya Ganapati temple, Shri Padmavati Devi temple, Hanumana temple, Vishvakasena temple, Ramanuja temple, and Lakshmi Nrisimha temple surround the main temple.
As soon as one enters the temple a "Bali Peetham" and the tall "Dhwaja Stambham" are seen. Next to the Bali Peetham and the Dwaja Stambham, a flight of steps leads to the "Tiru Mamani Mandapam". This is the entrance hall, with dimensions exactly same as at Tirumala temple. There are two 'Dwara Paalakas' (doorkeepers) viz. Jaya and Vijaya, who guard the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum.
The structure of the Mani Mandapam is built based on modern architectural practices. The cement concrete surfaces are being dubbed with exquisitely carved granite stones. The Ardha Mandapam and Garbha Griham are constructed in granite stones, following the "Aagama" / Shilpashastras by Sthapathies. Below the Mani Mandapam is the Kalyana Mandapam. Festivities of the temples such as 'Bhajans', 'Keertans', 'Pravachans', 'Kalyana Utsavam' etc. are conducted over here.
The Idol :
Behind this Ardha Mandapam, there is the `Garbha Griham`. At the right foot of the lord is a very small silver idol, which is called `Bhoga Srinivasa` or `Kautuka Bera`. This idol imbibes the essence of the Lord and is bonded to the main `Moolavar` idol by a string. There are also other idols of deities like Shrinivasa with Sridevi and Bhoodevi made out of `Pancha Loha` known as Utsava idols (images of festivities). There are also the idols of Shri Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Anjaneya, Shri Krishna with Rukhmini.
One can also see the Pancha Loha idol of Sri Ramanuja in the Ardha Mandapam. The Srivari Hundi is housed, patterned after Tirumala, in the courtyard. In front of the deity is a standing image of Garuda.
Timings: 06:00 AM To 08:00 PM
HOW TO GET THERE :
Air: The Sahara International Airport in Mumbai is only an hour's journey from Vashi.
Rail: Navi Mumbai is connected to Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai and Panvel via the Central Railway Line. Running on these lines are electric fast local trains carrying thousands of commuters every day.
Road: Navi Mumbai is connected to Mumbai via the Sion - Panvel Expressway, which meets the National Highway from Panvel to Pune.
Local Transport: The Road Transport facilities in the city include Bombay Electric and Suburban Transport (BEST) Buses connecting NaviMumbai to Mumbai. The MSRTC buses run between Mumbai and Panvel via Navi Mumbai as well as connect Thane and Taloja. Also seen on the Navi Mumbai roads are the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMT) Buses running between various routes one of them being Vashi and Thane.
Nerul Balaji Temple
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