Sixth Tirupati Balaji Temple Opens In Jammu For Devotees

The grand newly constructed Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Jammu, which is seen as another Tirupati Balaji temple, has been thrown open for devotees. The temple is now one of the largest temples in the region and is expected to boost religious and pilgrimage tourism in the Union territory.

Located amidst the scenic lower Shivalik forests in Majeen area on the outskirts the city, the temple has been built by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) at a cost of Rs 30 crore on 62 acre of land donated by the government there. This is the sixth Balaji Temple to be constructed outside Andhra Pradesh, with the TTD having previously built temples in Hyderabad, Chennai, Kanyakumari, Delhi and Bhubaneswar.

Jammu & Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Ministers Jitendra Singh and G. Kishan Reddy and TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy were present at the temple while Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated it through video conferencing with high priests conducting the 'Maha Samprokshanam' rituals amid chanting of mantras.

TTD chief Reddy informed that the temple has been completed in a period of two years. "Whatever system and practice being followed in Tirumala, will be followed here as well," he said and added that the temple's construction is part of a broader initiative by the TTD to establish multiple Balaji temples across the country.

After paying their obeisance at the sanctum sanctorium, the dignitaries attended the ceremony to dedicate the temple to the devotees. "It is a historic moment in the 'Sanatan journey' of J&K and the country. The temple has finally been opened for the devotees," Sinha said while addressing the inauguration function.

"The dedication of Lord Venkateswara Temple will strengthen the religious tourism circuit in J&K and give a boost to spiritual tourism as well as a major fillip to the economic development and employment opportunities in the Union territory," the LG said.

He said Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Shri Kailash Jyotish, Vedic Sansthan and many other organisations are making immense contributions to promote Vedic culture and traditions. "I am confident Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams will develop a Ved Pathshala and health Centre on priority," he said.

In his speech, Kishan Reddy said the temple will carry the message that Kashmir to Kanyakumari, India is one, to the world. "This will be a centre of spirituality and Sanatan traditions. Jammu & Kashmir is looking ahead to a bright future. It is our collective responsibility to contribute to the task of socio-economic growth and to ensure participation and empowerment of the common man," he added.