Balaji Temple

Khol Galli, Dhule, Taluka and District Dhule 

The Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh is referred to as the wealthiest temple in India. Every year, millions of devotees from across the world visit this temple. Lord Balaji, an incarnation of Vishnu, is also known by names such as Venkateswara and Venkatesh. There are many temples of this deity throughout India. Some of these temples are famous as Prati-Balaji. Among these, a famous and ancient temple of Balaji, built in the Southern architectural style, is situated at Khol Galli in the city of Dhule. The Rathotsav (chariot festival) celebrated here on Dussehra is famous and has a tradition spanning one hundred and forty-five years.

The legend regarding Lord Balaji states that in the Satya Yuga, Sage Bhrigu went to Lord Vishnu to test Him, in order to decide which deity should receive the accumulated fruits of the penance performed by the sages. To test the Lord, Sage Bhrigu kicked Lord Vishnu on His chest. slayed. Then, Lakshmi, who resides in the heart of Vishnu, became angry and left the celestial realm to come to Earth. Vishnu, concerned that Sage Bhrigu’s feet might be tired, gently massaged them and destroyed the eye of ego located on his foot. Thereupon, Sage Bhrigu offered all the fruits of his accumulated merits to Vishnu and blessed Him, saying that in the Kali Yuga, He would fulfill the desires of every seeker on Earth. Following this, Vishnu established Himself on Earth in the form of Balaji and began fulfilling the wishes of His devotees. 

This temple, situated along the main road of the city, is enclosed by a sturdy fortification. The entrance of the temple is designed in the southern Gopuram style. As it is elevated above the road level, there are five steps leading up to the entrance. On the pedestals of the gatekeepers on both sides of the entrance stand four-armed guardians holding a conch, a discus, and a mace. The door frame is adorned with intricate vine carvings, while the lintel features a Vishnu tilak and auspicious symbols are inscribed on the architrave. The entrance has ornate wooden doors. Above the entrance, there is a five-tiered Gopuram spire. In each of these tiers There are kutas, shalas, kalashas, and idols of various deities. At the top of the shikhara, there are horizontal shalas, topped by kalashas. In the marble-paved courtyard of the temple, on a raised platform, stands an intricately carved dhvajastambha, which is an essential feature of the Dravidian temple style. Beside the pillar are small shrines dedicated to Garuda and Hanuman. 

In front of the dhvajastambha is the entrance to the sabhamandapa. The front side of the sabhamandapa is completely open. Since it is situated at a higher level than the courtyard, there are three steps leading to the entrance. Inside the sabhamandapa, there are four rows of four carved pillars each. The pillars feature various geometric shapes such as squares, hexagons, octagons, and circles. At the top of the pillars are brackets and above them are the capitals. Beams rest on these capitals, supporting the weight of the roof. The ceiling is adorned with circular patterns, and brass bells are hung throughout. The enclosed sabhamandapa has windows for ventilation. Stainless steel safety railings have been installed in the sabhamandapa to manage the darshan queue. In front of the entrance to the garbhagriha, there is a kurma-shilpa (tortoise sculpture) on the floor.

The silver cladding on the front walls of the garbhagriha is intricately engraved. The door frames of the garbhagriha feature floral and leaf motifs, and the entrance has ornate silver doors. Inside the garbhagriha, on a vajrapitha, are the idols of Balaji, Padmavati, and Lakshmi in the center. The golden prabhavali behind the idols is decorated with floral and leaf patterns, with a kirtimukha at the top. On the vajrapitha, to the left of Balaji, are the idols of Radha-Krishna, while to the right are the utsavamurtis of Balaji, Padmavati, and Lakshmi, along with sculptures of Garuda, the chakra, and the shankha. On the marble vajrapitha, there is a marble makhar. The makhar consists of four carved pillars, topped by arches and a roof. There is a pradakshina path around the exterior of the garbhagriha. This circumambulatory path also features carved pillars. 

There is a parapet on all four sides of the assembly hall roof. It features small shrines and temple sculptures. The small shrines contain idols of various deities. Above the sanctum sanctorum, there is a spire in the Southern style, topped with a finial and a flag. During the Sharadiya Navaratri, the Brahmotsav is celebrated at the Balaji temple. On this occasion, a grand anointing ceremony and special worship of the deity are performed for ten days. During this period, programs such as continuous devotional singing, discourses, music, and the distribution of sanctified food are organized in the temple. On Dussehra, a chariot procession of the deity is taken out, and the deity is carried around the town amidst the sound of drums and the showering of vermilion. Thousands of devotees from across the state participate in this chariot festival. It is said that this chariot festival has a tradition spanning one hundred and forty-five years. The Vasantotsav of the deity begins on Chaitra Padwa. During this festival, which lasts for about four to five days, a large number of devotees come for the divine vision of the deity and to fulfill their vows. Apart from this, special festivals are celebrated during the months of Margashirsha, Shravan, and Adhik Maas. Various programs are organized in the temple during all these festivals.

Useful Information

• One point five kilometers away from the Dhule bus station
• ST bus and railway facilities available to Dhule from many cities in the state
• Private vehicles can reach the temple
• Many options for accommodation and breakfast in the vicinity