A grand replica of Tirupati Balaji Temple created at the Maha Kumbha, 250 temple staff arrives from Tirupati

Prayagraj – The grand replica of Tirupati’s Balaji Temple, built in an area of 2.8 hectares in Sector 6 of Maha Kumbha Mela, is becoming an attraction. The replica has been created quite accurately. 250 sevaks (temple staff) from Tirupati Devasthanam have arrived to serve Shri Balaji in this temple at the Kumbha Mela. Similar to the temple in Tirupati, proper rituals of Shri Balaji are being performed here as well.

A 9-feet-tall idol of Shri Balaji has been installed in this temple. During the Kumbha Parva, 5 hectares of land has been provided by the Government to the Balaji Devasthanam. On this land, along with the Shri Balaji Temple, a meeting hall, a prasad centre, a dining hall for offerings to the Deity etc. have been constructed. This temple was constructed in just 28 days using cement, steel and plywood. 100 artisans worked day and night for the construction of this temple. Various parts of the temple were created in various parts of Andhra Pradesh, Prayagraj, etc. From there, they were brought to the Kumbha site and this temple was constructed. Engineers informed the representative of daily ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ that 2,000 devotees can stay in the temple premises at a time.

More details about the temple

A grand replica of Tirupati Balaji Temple created at the Maha Kumbha,

The temple of Shri Balaji in Tirupati was built during the reign of various kings. Various parts of the temple have been built considering the style of artwork during the reign of those kings. Accordingly, the replica of the temple has been made. The purpose of doing this is that the visitors will also remember the kings who built this temple. A flagpole has also been erected outside the temple.

All rituals are performed similar to that in the Tirupati Temple

Flowers are offered to the Deity at 6 a.m. This is called ‘Tomal’. In Vaikuntha, Deity Brahma tells Shri Vishnu the tithi. Similarly, the chief Pandit in the temple tells Shri Balaji the tithi and specialty of the day. This ritual is called ‘Kulavu’. After that, Tulsi leaves are offered to Shri Balaji through Shri Vishnu Sahasranama and Bhog, i.e. Naivedya. At 4 p.m., the Deity is swung on a swing. This is called ‘Unjal’ Seva. After that, a procession of the Deity is taken out. Evening puja is performed at 7 p.m. and Naivedya is offered again at night at 8 p.m.