Chilkur Balaji Temple is located at Chilkur in Moinabad mandal in the Rangareddy district, just 30 km off Hyderabad on the Old Bombay Highway(Vikarabad Highway).
This temple is also popularly known as Visa Temple because many devotees come here with the wish of going abroad and get their wishes fructify.
It's customary to go around the temple (known as Pradakshina) eleven times and pray to god for a specific wish. Once this wish comes true, the recipient has to go again and take 108 Pradakshinas.
This is one of the few temples in India which does not accept monetary donations.
Chilkur Balaji temple is one of the most famous temples in Hyderabad area. The nice concept that is implemented in darshan of the Lord Balaji, is that all the devotees must stand in queue with utmost discipline. When people ask for wish from the god here, they have to do 11 pradakshinas and ask their wish with the witness of Lord Anjaneya. When the wish gets fulfilled, they need to do 108 pradakshinas. The 11 pradakshinas have a significant meaning according to the temple priests. When people wish anything from god, mind has to think about only god and one's self i.e 11(1-1) signifies that god takes care of everybody and everybody should understand that.
HISTORY
Set in sylvan surroundings, the temple attracts thousands of pilgrims every year and is an ideal place for sequestered retreat and meditation. It enjoyed in the past, great days of pomp and glory.
The temple is one of the oldest in Telangana, having been built during the time of Akkanna and Madanna, the uncles of Bhakta Ramdas. According to tradition, a devotee , Madhav Reddy who used to visit Tirupati every year could not do so on one occasion owing to serious ill-health. Lord Venkateshwara appeared in his dream and said, "I am right here in the jungle nearby. You don't have to worry." The devotee at once moved to the place indicated by the Lord in the dream and saw a mole- hill there, which he dug up. Accidentally, the axe struck Lord Balaji's idol covered by the mole-hill below the chin and on the chest, and surprisingly blood started flowing profusely from the "wounds", flooding the ground and turning it scarlet. The devotee could not believe his eyes when he saw this. Suddenly he could not believe his ears also when he heard a voice from the air which said,"Flood the mole-hill with cow's milk. "When the devotee did so, a Swayambhu idol of Lord Balaji accompanied by Sridevi and Bhoodevi(a rare combination) was found, and this idol was installed with the due rites and this temple built for it.
Sri Balaji venkateshwara, the Pratyaksha Daiva in Kaliyuga, is thus available at Chilkur to shower blessings on His devotees who for any reason are unable to go to Tirupati. Many devout worshippers flock to the temple, to receive the blessings of the Lord and his consorts throughout the year particularly during the Poolangi, Annakota and Brahmothsavams
With the earnest desire to revive the former glory and importance of the temple, the idol of Ammavaru was installed in 1963 the year following the Chinese aggression, and when the aggression was unilaterally vacated, Ammavaru was given the name of Rajya Lakshmi, signifying this welcome event. The unique feature of this idol is that lotus flowers are held in three hands and the fourth hand is in such a position towards the lotus feet which signifies the doctrine of Saranagathi.
About the Temple
Good news for the devotees who are willing to donate to the temple.
Excerpts from Deccan Chronicle: Hundi-less temple gets new scheme
Hyderabad, April 1: Think before donating at Sri Chilkur Balaji temple as the hundi-less temple, which became famous as Viswa Balaji all over AP, will now accept donation only through notified banks. Endowments department has okayed the temple authorities to accept donation of Rs 100 and above through two banks. The interest accruing out of the donations will be utilised for conducting daily pujas. Devotees from all over the world can deposit cash in different branches of Andhra Bank including the one located at Pedda Mangalaram (Moinabad).
Even the branches of State Bank of Hyderabad all over the country, including the one at Moinabad, are authorised for this. The temple priest, Dr Sounder Rajan, said, "Devotees who contribute to this fund will have the satisfaction that their most coveted place of worship will continue to work in this unique system," he said. The Chilkur Balaji temple became famous for its unique hundi-less system. This was done to prevent endowments department taking over the administration of the temple. The cash can be deposited at Andhra Bank branches under head of account "SB A/c No 911/SB/1/8633 of Sri Balaji Venkateswara Swamy Temple or State Bank of Hyderabad SB A/c No. 62055583940.
Outside the temple you will find many shops (as usual) selling coconuts,and flowers to offer to God. The Balaji idols,pictures and prasadam and other paraphernalia are all available on the back portion of the temple near the entrance and Shiva Temple's exit. Floral/coconut offerings are not allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum nor accepted by the priest. So, be ready to crack the coconut yourself.
Don’t forget to carry a pen and take the numeric card (given free).It will make your circumambulatory thanks to the lord that much easier to carry out.
Eat,especially before you start off on the 108 pradakshinas.The Lord or His servents should not be blamed if you can’t sustain the physical exertion.
Take regular breaks beetwen the circumambulations.It’s only human if you head’s spinning from going round and round, so rest.
Last, but not the least ,remember not to close your eyes during darshan . Balaji idol here has four hands.
This Balaji is very flexible and modern too. He is receptive to change or the changing world. Here you dont have to close your eyes while taking darshan which is clearly written on boards in the temple premises.
The best way to reach Chilkur Balaji Temple is, if you have got your own vehicle then it becomes easy. But since many of us go by bus/shared autorikshaws , then the best route is to reach Mehdipatnam from wherever you have put up your accomdation as the frequency of buses to Mehdipatnam is high from almost all parts of the city. And when you reach Mehdipatnam, do take 288D buses which ply almost every half an hour. So your travel becomes easy if you reach Mehdipatnam and there is a good frequency of buses every 30 minutes. Nevertheless, you can catch a shared autorikshaw if you are in a hurry. Visiting early in the morning is however better for anyone who has plans to make 108 pradakshinas, in view of the large crowd of pilgrims.
Directions from Mehdipatnam
From Mehdipatnum, follow the road to Langar house. At Langar house crossroads, follow straight towards Artillery Center (Towards CBIT / Ocean Park). As you pass Artillery Center (towards your right), fork left and continue ahead on the main road until you pass SHAAZ Engineering College . After passing Shaaz Engineering College, as you go ahead, the road Forks ( Y junction), main road continuing on the left and a road leading right. At this Y - junction, follow the road leading right. Continue on this road, passing the houses, until you come across another fork ( Y - Junction), here take the road forking right and this road will take you to the temple.
The Prominence of Vishnu Sahasra Namas (Thousand names of the Lord Vishnu)
Vishnu Sahasranama was first composed & recited by Bhishma, when he was on his deathbed. Lord Krishna went to see Bhishma because he was breathing his last. When Bhishma had darshan of Lord Krishna, he started reciting Vishnu Sahasranama immediately. Vishnu Sahasranama means, rosary of thousand names of Lord Vishnu.
He started reciting Vishnu Sahasranama in the order he saw lord's form continuously and successively.
Vishnu Sahasranama is found in Mahabharata, the great epic of India.
If confers all the mundane transcendental benefits to the person who chants it. There are so many Sahasranamas of Vishnu, but among them this happens to be the most cardinal and important one because right from Sankaracharyalu there are so many Sages and Saints who have recited and commented in their own way. Even today, it is recited with the fervor and gaiety in all the temples of Lord Vishnu.
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