 Venketashwar temple, situated at Sujangarh region of Churu district in Rajasthan, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is also known as Lord Venkateshwara in South Indian scriptures. It was built by a prominent industrialist Late Shri Sohanlalji Jajodia and his family in the year 1994. Lord Venkateshwar, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and also known by the name Balaji, is widely worshipped in South India for achieving divine fulfilment. However in Northern India Venketashwar temple is the only temple dedicated to the deity and allures numerous devotees. It is in fact believed to be an exact replica the Tirupati Balaji temple and has been constructed by the craftsmen from South India. This temple acts as a cultural bridge between South and North India.
Architecture of Venketashwar Temple Venketashwar temple exhibits magnificent South Indian style of architecture. The inner temple has a beautiful hall made of marble. The temple also houses a beautiful Gopuram, a Sabha mandap and an elevated Shikhar which is flat at the top. The idol of Lord Venkateshwar is made of black stone. The construction of the temple completed in seven years. Features of Venketashwar Temple Lord Venkateshwar is the presiding deity of the temple and on his either side idols of Bhudevi and Lakshmi stand. The worship of these deities is very common in South Indian tradition. South Indian Brahmins hold the posts of priest and other servers in the temple and the worship is performed according to South Indian rituals and customs. Preachers and Katha narrators also visit the temple often. Rice forms main ingredient of the temple Bhog. On Saturdays a ritual wash is performed in the temple. A thousand names of Lord Vishnu are recited in the temple every morning. The temple allows people belonging to all religion to pay a visit, however the deity is extensively worshipped by the Hindus following the Sanatan dharma. Venketashwar temple serves as a significant pilgrimage centre and according to its scriptures the worship of Lord Venkateshwar can help people to achieve salvation. Festivals of Venketashwar Temple Brahmotsav is a major festival celebrated for five days in the temple which commences on Vasant Panchami. The event attracts a large number of devotees form all around the nation. Another important annual festival is Pavitra Utsav, also known as Maha Vishnu Yagya, which is observed ten days after Diwali. Dussehra is grandly celebrated in the temple as Lord Balaji's birthday. (Last Updated on : 27-11-2014) |
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