Mini Thirumala

May 24, 2005

Dear sadbhakthas,

ChilukuruA ‘Mini’ Tirumala

The compassionate Lord Venkateswara has been tirelessly fulfilling the wishes of all, especially the foreign visa seekers, ambitious students and lovers.

Pilgrims who visit for the first time have to offer 11 pradakshinas (Circumambulations) seeking fulfillment of their desires and have darshan of the Lord with their eyes open. Once their wishes are fulfilled, they should visit again and offer 108 pradakshinas, thanking the Almighty.

Twenty Five kilometers from Hyderabad off the Vikarabad road and on the banks of Osmansagar is the picturesque village of Chikur with its hoary temple dedicated to Sri Balaji Venkateshwara. From the style, structure and appearance, it can be inferred that the temple was built half a millennium ago. 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 Telengana, having been built during the time of Akkanna and Madanna, the uncles of Bhakta Ramdas. According to tradition, a devotee 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 a 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.

The temple has been visited by great Acharyas from time to time. A visit to the temple is a must for the Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt every time he visits the twin cities, and in the temple is installed the idol of the first Jeer. The Tilakayaths of Sri Vallabhacharya Sampradaya have been regularly visiting the shrine. Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya of Sringeri Mutt and his disciple graced the efforts of the trustees in improving the temple.The temple of Lord Venkateswara, situated at the tiny, remote village of Chilukuru in Andhra Pradesh (approximately 25 Kms from Hyderabad), has become a ‘mini Tirumala’, attracting thousands of devotees from all over the country every day. Known as Chilukuru Balaji temple, it is now the most favoured pilgrimage centre of the masses, after the Seven Hills of Tirumala.

Surrounded by the unpolluted waters of the picturesque Osmansagar lake from three sides, the Balaji temple has the traditional ambience, reflecting its 500-year old history. The presiding deity is Lord Venkateswara (a self-manifested idol), flanked by Sridevi (Goddess of Wealth) and Bhudevi (Goddess of Earth) on either side. All sects of people, especially foreign visa-seekers, ambitious students and lovers throng to this temple. Chilukuru Balaji is affectionately (appropriately also!) called the 'Visa-God'. The compassionate Lord has been tirelessly fulfilling the wishes of each and everyone. The other attractions of this temple are the presence of Sri Sundareswara Swamy (Lord Shiva) and Goddess Padmavathy Devi (known as Rajya Lakshmi Devi). Legends Chilukuru village, was once the capital city of several kings like Kutus, Kalyani Paschima (West) Chalukyas and some followers of Vikramaditya. Once there lived a pious man named Gonnala Madhava Reddy, who

took up agriculture as his main profession and led a saintly life. Being an ardent devotee of the Lord of the Seven Hills, he used to visit Tirumala every year without fail. In his old age also, he never failed to do so; but once he fell seriously ill, when he was about to leave for Tirumala. Despite his deteriorating health, the devotee’s micro vibrations (inner self) were revolving around Sri Venkateswara Swamy only and he cursed his inability to go on the pilgrimage. One night, Madhava Reddy slipped into sleep, thinking of the Lord and he experienced the bliss of a wonderful dream, in which the Lord appeared with Shankh and Chakra in two hands, an Abhayahasta for protecting His devotees and a Katya Valambitha hand (for self-knowing). He was all mercy towards Madhava reddy and assured “My dear devotee! Since you are unable to visit me, I have come to you. You can find me in an anthill under a tree, located near the Muchukunda river (presently known as the Moosi river) flowing east

of your village. I will fulfill the genuine desires of my true devotees,”. The aged devotee, elated at the blissful dream, regained his strength and spread the word to his fellow-villagers. The next morning, the entire village, along with Madhava Reddy went on a mission to the East of Chilukuru, to find the anthill. After a few hours of searching, they found the same. When they dug inside, blood started oozing up from under. Then a divine voice addressed the awe-struck villagers, “Dear villagers, bring cow’s milk and pour it over me.” The villagers then brought cow’s milk in abundance. As they poured it, the remnants of the anthill melted away and there appeared an attractive statue of Lord Venkateswara with cut injuries on the left forehead and also on the left part of the body. Then, they built a temple at that place. After some years, a saint by name Srivan Satagopa Yathindra Sri Srinivasa Swamy (of Ahobilam), visited the temple and regulated the pooja activities

by appointing one of his disciples, as in-charge of the temple. Descendants of this disciple have been looking after the same till date. Records show that Akkanna and Madanna, the respected ministers in the royal court of Abul Hasan Tanisha who ruled Golconda in the 17th century, Sri Ramadas, a great devotee of Lord Sri Rama and several other dignitaries paid several visits to the temple and sought the Lord’s blessings. Contrary to the practice at Tirumala and Dwaraka Tirumala, Chilukuru Balaji does not accept any money offerings; tickets are not sold for darshan. Free distribution of prasad and equal treatment of all devotees, irrespective of their status, are the specialties of this temple. Pilgrims who visit for the first time have to offer 11 pradakshinas (Circumambulations) seeking fulfillment of their desires and have darshan of the Lord with their eyes open. Once their wishes are fulfilled, they should visit again and offer 108 pradakshinas, thanking the

Almighty. The fact that the number of devotees visiting for the second time are growing multifold everyday stands testimony to the underlying principle of worship of the Lord i.e. only devotion and dedicated prayers, and not tickets, offerings and donations, carry weight with Him. Once, an over- flooded Moosi river inundated all the nearby villages forcing the people to evacuate, but the flood waters dared not to touch the Chilukuru village, thanks to the Abhayahastam extended by the Lord to the villagers. Why only 11 pradakshinas are prescribed for first-timers? This practice has an interesting background. During 1969-70, borewells were dug up in the temple premises, to meet the temple’s water requirements; but the early trials ended in a failure. When the work began again, the priest Gopalakrishna, and two other devotees, Lakshminarayan Goel and his brother, offered prayers and started performing Pradakshinas. Water gushed out of the borewells, when they

completed 11 pradakshinas. Subsequently, they offered 108 pradakshinas as thanks-giving gesture towards the Lord. This practice has been followed since then. Sri Sundareswara Swamy: Devotees visiting this temple can find an attractive, beautiful Shivalingam, known as Sri Sundareswara Swamy, on the left side of the temple premises. The Lingam is found behind a Peepal tree, which has sprouted and grown in a place, where a great sage had made penance, 350 years back. Many believe that the sage still lives there in the shape of the tree, which would fulfill the devotees’ desires, when it is touched.It is said that like Lord Balaji, the lingam of Sri Sundareswara swamy is also a self-manifested one. The temple also has an Utsavamurthy of Padmavathi Devi, known as Rajyalakshmi Devi, which was installed during the 1962-63 China war. The day the idol was installed, ceasefire took place between India and China and from that day onwards, devotees began calling her

‘Rajyalakshmi Devi’. Festivals: The temple celebrates Brahmotsavams for 7 days continuously every year, beginning on the Dasami day, which follows ‘SriRama Navami’. Daily rituals are conducted at 6 am and 6.30 pm; special poojas and Abhishekam are performed on every Friday at 9.30 am. Special poojas are conducted on the occasion of all festivals. If you are planning for travel abroad, do visit this temple.

yours in service,

om namo bhagavathe vasudevaya,

subodha

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