Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in United Kingdom -43

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(The Blog  is reverently for all the seekers of truth, lovers of wisdom and   to share the Hindu Dharma with others on the spiritual path and also this is purely  a non-commercial blog)

 

 

Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in United Kingdom



 






Shri Venkatewara (Balaji) Temple of UK, Tividale, UK

The Shri Venkateswara Temple is one of the largest temple for the deity Shri Venkateswara in Europe

Address

Dudley Road East
Tividale
West Midlands B69 3DU
England
Phone
0121 544 2256
Fax
0121 544 2257  
Email: temple@venkateswara.org.uk 

History of the Temple

Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple in Tividale is the culmination of deeply felt spiritual aspirations and one of the most remarkable achievements of the Hindu communities in the United Kingdom. The temple is set in a approximately 30 acres of land, with a number of different shrines and other facilities and it has grown over a 10-year period to become the largest Hindu temple of its kind in Europe. Much more than simply a physical complex, it brings together a remarkably wide cross-section of Hindus into a vibrant, thriving organization, and is now recognized as one of the leading Hindu institutions in this country

The Dream

During the 1970's our founders had a dream; a dream to create a sanctuary for prayer & meditation to Lord Venkateswara (Lord of the heaven) and to establish a Hindu spiritual centre in this part of the country to fill the vast gap in the spiritual life amongst a large section of our community. The inspiration was the Thirupathi (heaven on earth) Temple in Andhra Pradesh in South India. The charity Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple as a Charitable Trust was set up in 1984 by a dedicated group of Hindus.

The Site

The Thirupathi Temple which the Tividale temple is modelled on is set amongst seven hills in the lush tropical forest in the second oldest Rock Mountains called Eastern Ghats; the oldest being the Rocky Mountain in Americas. The natural beauty of the setting justifies its name meaning 'heaven on earth'. The Thirupathi temple is the most visited Hindu place of worship in the world and it is the richest in terms of offerings made by the devotees and this fund supports a large number of charities. After three decades of scouring the country for a suitable place for the temple, the trustees found the land here in Tividale. The nearest thing to Thirupathi we got was Brades Hall Farm – a disused farm and a tip called 'Monks Tip' bounded by a canal, a neglected stretch of river Tame and a narrow busy road A457. Who would have guessed that there would be a place of worship here? The site was acquired in 1995.

The Mile Stones

Plans for an ambitious scheme involving a Temple, a community centre and shrines, were prepared and the task of raising the necessary funds began in earnest. In 1996 the Millennium Commission approved the scheme for a grant by way of matching funding. The foundation laying ceremony Bhoomi Pooja (ritually sanctifying the ground) was held in 1997. In the Hindu tradition, installation of Ganesh and Shri Venkateswara Utsava Moorthy (a small statue used during processions) took place in 1999. The installation of the main statues of Shri Venkateswara and Hanuman took place in the main temple in April 2000. In May 2000 completion ceremony of Shri Subramanya Swami (protector of family life) temple was performed. In July 2002 installation of Shri Sudashrana Swami for procession took place. Foundation ceremony for the Community Hall took place in January 2003. In July 2003 installation of Navagraha (nine heavenly bodies including the Sun, moon and the planets) was performed. The grand opening ceremony for the Community Hall took place in August 2004. In August 2006 the grand opening ceremony of the main temple was performed.
In May 2007 the ornamental pond with the statue of Ananthapadmanabha was opened. The shrine for Shiva was built and the statue (natural stone selected from the river Ganges in the foot hills of Himalayas) was installed in 2011

The Architecture

The Hindu style of temple architecture evolved over many centuries has many distinctive features depending on the region and the period. Shri Venkateswara Temple reflects the South Indian Dravidian styles (Pallava, Chola & Pandya) with distinctive granite carved Gopuras (towers) incorporating many traditional stone carvings.
The East facing temple complex with shrines and the main Gopura are planned symmetrically about a truly East West axis. The access road leads one to the courtyard through the main Gopura opening on to a vista with shrines on both sides (yet to be completed) and the imposing main temple with grand ceremonial stairs in front. The community centre reflects the Buddhist style with distinctive vaulted horse-shoe roof form.
The temple complex consisting of the main temple, the shrines and the East tower covers an area measuring 450 ft long and 200 ft wide. The main temple is 166 ft long, 111 ft wide and 55 ft high to the crown. The assembly hall in the main temple is 120 ft long and 74 ft wide with space for up to 700 devotees. The site covers approximately 12 acres and has generous space for the planned seven faith hills and for open landscaped areas for reflective meditation and relaxation. Further 10 acres of landfill area is to be retained as open space mainly as nature reserve. The community Hall containing two assembly halls and a kitchen has the facility for educational, cultural and recreational activity for the community.
The overall plan for the complex includes seven symbolic hills dedicated to major faiths and as a first step, Lord Buddha's statue, carved in wood by a local artist was installed on a hill dedicated to Buddhism in May 2001. In 2008, the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams visited the temple and formally opened the Christian Hill installing a plaque with a quote from the bible.

The vision

The temple and the community centre are open to the public irrespective of one's creed, religion and ethnic origin, for prayers, spiritual fulfilment and meditation. The plans for the future development include the creation of a landscaped park site and amenity area with emphasis on unity in diversity, spiritual, cultural and educational advancement to all.

Faith Hills

Seven hills on the site are to show our respect to seven major faiths and to reflect the seven peaks in Tirupati Temple.

Balaji School


Balaji School for Culture & Education provides strong spiritual and cultural foundation for young children for their future and the future of our culture.

Volunteering

Temple and its activities are primarily supported by much needed army volunteers who work in the spirit of ‘Sewa’. Please come forward and become a volunteer to be blessed.

Shrines in the Temple

Lord Ganesha,  Lord Murugan,  Lord Shri Venkateswara (Balaji),  Goddess Shri Padmavathi

BRAHMOTHSAVAM 2014 - FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 22, 23, 24 AUGUST 2014

Poojas

There are daily poojas for all deities in the morning, noon and evening. The timings are arranged in such a way that a devotee will be able to attend one pooja after another starting from Ganapathy pooja and ending with Balaji pooja. The temple organises various religious activities and functions on a regular basis to enhance the devotees’ spiritual experiences.
  Start Date: 08/08/2014
  •   End Date: 08/08/2014
·           BRAHMOTHSAVAM 2014
·           BRAHMOTHSAVAM 2014 - FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 22, 23, 24 AUGUST 2014
·          Annual Samuha Athya Narayana Pooja
·          Sunday 26th and 27th January 2014 11.00AM Sathya Narayana Pooja
·           PANGUNI UTTARAM
·           PANGUNI UTTARAM-SUNDAY 13 - APRIL – 2014
·           VAIKASI VISAKAM
·           VAIKASI VISAKAM

Archana

The Sanskrit meaning of Archana is honouring / praising the lord.

Archana is a special pooja done on behalf of the devotees by the temple priests by reciting the name(s), birth star(s) and the Gothra of the devotee to invoke specific spiritual guidance and blessings (Sankalpam).

Lord Ganesh Archana

This archana is performed to invoke the blessings of Lord Ganapathi to remove obstacles and hurdles.

Lord Kartikeya Archana

This archana is performed for the spiritual growth of devotees and to take care of health of family and children and for growth of assets. As Karthikeya relates to fire and planet Mars, it is believed that this archana will alleviate ill effects of Rahu, Ketu, Kala Sarpa Dosha.

Lord Shiva Archana

This archana is performed for blessings with health, wealth, the termination of all disturbances, and the fulfilment of all needs.

Lord Ayyappan Archana

This archana is performed for protection from evils. He has the power to restore your Health and prolong life and bring prosperity.

Shirdi Sai Baba Archana

To increase your spirituality

Lord Balaji Archana

Offering pooja to Lord Shree Balaji is to thank him for the wonderful things he has gifted us. We offer pooja to please lord and to get the wish fulfilled. As you go on offering pooja to Lord Balaji, you continuously promote yourself to the next levels in the path of spirituality. One must keep immense patience to upgrade and to be on the top with regards to Bhakti marg. The reward that you would get will be unmaterialistic, you would be honoured in the court of Shree Balaji

Goddess Lakshmi Archana

Devotees pray to Lakshmi for wealth, her gifts are also of spiritual truth and purity, achieved through continual effort. This idea is represented by the lotus which, although it grows from the mud, remains pure and perfect, suggesting that the aim of her worshippers should be a spiritual state which transcends the material world. The goddess is surrounded by an aura of happiness and satisfaction on all levels.
The goddess Lakshmi reminds us that we live in the material realm. Lakshmi tells us that while we make seek comfort and prosperity, we should not be fooled into thinking that these things are important in themselves. Only when wealth is shared, in order to bring happiness and relief of the suffering of others, does it have meaning. It is an energy that flows like any other and you should not adhere to it.

Lord Hanuman Archana

Devotees visiting Hanuman Temple will be blessed with happiness and all their worries and defects will be eradicated. Sins will fade away. Sufferings will disappear Generations will flourish by santhanakrishna praapthi. All wealth will be bestowed Unmarried girls will find a suitable groom. Business will grow and flourish. Since all the Navagrahas are in the tail of Lord Hanuman, any devotee that prays Him will be relieved of their doshams.

Navagraha Archana

·         Sunday - Surya is in charge of Power, Authority, Leadership, Fame, Courage, Will power and father.
·         Monday - Chandra is in charge of Beauty, Brain, Emotion, Imagination & mother.
·         Tuesday - Chevvai (Mangal) in charge of Energy, Physical strength, Self-confidence and anger
Tuesday - Kethu is the most powerful of the nine graha. Ketu is known for sprituality, intelligence and wisdom, material or wealth loss, fantasy, and remove the effects of poison and allergy and gives health, wealth to his devotees.
·         Wednesday - Budha is incharge for Intelligence, communication skill, Education
·         Thursday - When guru see an unfavourable planet, it becomes favourable. Guru is inchage or knowledge, marriage, conceiving, growth.
·         Friday - Sukra is incharge of love, romance, pleasure, reproduction, art, fine arts and harmony in life.
·         Saturday – Sani is for life, property, punish the wrongdoings and reward good deeds.




Volunteer (Sewa)

General statement

Volunteers make a valuable contribution to our business. For this reason, we will take steps to safeguard their health and safety in the same way that we would if they were our employees. This means that we will endeavour to provide a healthy and safe environment which they will enjoy working in. Should any volunteer have any concerns over health and safety, they will be dealt with promptly.

Definition of volunteer

A volunteer is widely defined as a person who freely chooses to give their time for the benefit of others. This is done without any expectation of financial reward, except for the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. A volunteer is not considered to be an employee of our business.

Legal position

We still owe volunteers a common law duty of care to safeguard their health, safety and welfare whilst they are carrying out work on our behalf. This exists irrespective of whether they are working on our premises or not. We also owe volunteers a specific duty under s.3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This requires us to take steps to ensure that non-employees are not exposed to any risks to their health and safety as a result of the carrying out of our business.

Risk assessment

We still owe volunteers a common law duty of care to safeguard their health, safety and welfare whilst they are carrying out work on our behalf. This exists irrespective of whether they are working on our premises or not. We also owe volunteers a specific duty under s.3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This requires us to take steps to ensure that non-employees are not exposed to any risks to their health and safety as a result of the carrying out of our business.

Legal position

In order to comply with our legal duties, a risk assessment will be carried out. This will look at the activities which we would like the volunteer to carry out. If a risk assessment has already been carried out for these tasks, it should be referred to for this purpose. If the volunteer has any health or mobility problems, then these will need to be taken into account. If the identified risks are only trivial, then a written assessment will not be necessary. Assessments will also need to be carried out if manual handling tasks or work with hazardous substances is to be undertaken.
Where a risk assessment has identified the need for volunteers to be provided with personal protective equipment, such as gloves or eye protection, this will be provided by us without charge.

Insurance

All volunteers will be covered by our Employers’ Liability insurance. In the event that a volunteer will work with members of the public, our public liability insurance policy will be extended to cover this. (Amend as necessary.)

Training

All volunteers will be provided with induction training. If a risk assessment has determined that a volunteer needs specific information and training in order to carry out their tasks safely, this will be provided to them. The costs of any training will be borne by us

GOING GREEN 2013

“As from 1 January 2013, In keeping with the Hindu tradition of Dharma and Ahimsa we will use and accept as donation only the ORGANIC MILK as part of our GOING GREEN 2013 policy”. We request and urge our devotees who wish to donate milk to the temple to bring only ORGANIC MILK. We hope that all our devotees will co-operate with us and understand our reasons.”

Navigation

Go green
School visits
Interfaith activities
Community hall
Health and well being
Matrimonial service

Facilities Available

Balaji Temple Community Hall

Designed with vaulted roof in Buddhist Style, the Community Hall provides space and facility for assemblies, functions and weddings. Facilities include stage with lighting, private rest rooms, kitchen and toilets.
Community Hall is available for hire for public regardless of race and religion. Please note that only vegetarian food is allowed. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited in the temple premises.

Play area and Conservatory

Specially laid out play area is available for children. It is in secluded area with easy access from the conservatory, where the food is served during weekends and on special occasions.

Meditation in Balaji Temple

Some members of the temple, as a group, participate in meditation everySunday between 2.30 pm - 3.30 pm.
As a part of meditation, we play Swami Chinmayanada’s ‘The Holy Geeta’ DVD.
To join the meditation group please contact temple office.

Temple Tour

Visitors are always welcome to the temple during normal opening hours. Guided tours are available by pre-booking through the temple office. At present, guiding is only available in English. The guided tour is free when guides are available.
The guided tours can take upto two hours and can be varied to suit the visitors’ needs and expectations. The tour consists of visiting the main temple, various shrines and the Faith Hills in the temple grounds. One is required to remove one’s shoes and place them in the designated areas before entering the prayer halls in the main temple and other shrines. During inclement weather conditions, one may feel some discomfort walking without shoes along the paved paths in open air.
Facilities such as ramps, lifts and wheelchairs are available for the physically impaired. The visitors are reminded that the temple is a place of spirituality and site is a no-smoking zone. Visitors are requested not to bring any alcohol or meat products to the temple site.
Car and coach parking space is available within the site. Light vegetarian refreshments can be provided by prior arrangement. Temple will gratefully accept any contribution or donation from visitors if they wish to do so.
Visitors are advised to note the opening hours from the Temple website before planning the visit.

Code of Conduct

Information to Devotees & Visitors

This is a place of worship and kindly observe the rules appropriate to such a place.
Your safety and comfort is our primary concern while you are at the Temple premises.

Upon arrival:

  • Park your car without blocking the access ways to other car users.
  • For information and assistance, enquire at the reception
  • Do not leave your shoes in the entrance lobby. There are designated areas on the ground floor for shoes in the inner lobby adjacent to toilets. Remove your shoes before going to the POOJA HALL on the first floor.
  • Do not allow your children to wander about without supervision.
  • Help us to maintain the tidiness and cleanliness of the premises by putting your litter in the designated bins. Leave the toilets in as clean a condition as you would wish to find it yourself.
  • Do not enter into unauthorised areas such as priests’ quarters, kitchen, offices and store rooms which are clearly sign posted.
  • Switch off your mobile phone before going to pooja Hall

In the Pooja Hall

  • Stand or be seated leaving the central aisle free for other devotees to walk up to the shrine or to observe the Pooja
  • Maintain silence in the prayer hall, particularly while proceedings are in progress. If you are with young children, try to keep them quiet. Other worshippers would really appreciate this as you yourself would.
  • Join in the Bhajan recital. Devotion counts more than your musical talent. If you have the talent, take the lead in singing.
  • Do not eat or drink in the Pooja Hall.
  • Do not touch any of the statues or other exhibits.
  • Do not use your mobile phone.
  • Attentively listen to any announcements which are made from time to time for your benefit and to ensure smooth running of the Temple activities.
  • After the pooja form an orderly queue to receive blessings from the priests.
  • Feel free to ask for information from the priests, volunteers or Temple staff.
  • After the Pooja, when ‘Prasadam’ is provided, please proceed to the designated place where arrangements are made for the distribution of ‘Prasadam’

Partaking of Prasadam

  • Form an orderly queue to receive Prasadam from the volunteers who are generally available to serve.
  • Be aware of the needs of the young children and elderly persons who might appreciate being led ahead in the queue.
  • On receiving the Prasadam, move away from the serving area to allow the other devotees to be served.
  • In the interest of general tidiness and hygiene, be careful not to spill any food or water on the floor or on the seats. Give special attention to children when they eat.
  • Make sure that you deposit the used plates and cups carefully in the waste bins which are provided at convenient locations.

General

  • Your safety is our prime consideration. As you can see, the temple construction project is still not complete. Therefore the site consists of areas that are somewhat hazardous and therefore unsuitable for children to play or to wander about. Please ensure that your children are always in the main circulation areas and are under your supervision at all times.
  • We need all the help we can get from each and every devotee in order to run the temple. Volunteer support is needed in the serving of food, assistance with normal activities and to be the marshals on special occasions Therefore, if you are able to give your time – however short that may be – please contact the office staff.
  • In addition to religious activities we have an ambitious programme to promote numerous cultural activities in the Temple premises. If you are able to contribute in any way, we will be delighted to hear from you.
  • We have a wealth of information about the Temple. Please ask the office staff.

 Accomodation

There is no accommodation facility available in the Temple complex. However, devotees can stay in the hotels near to the Temple.

Hotels near to our Temple: (we are not responsible for these hotel services)

Cultural Events

Dance is considered as one of the best forms of worship. Classical dance becomes a spiritual path when we offer the performance to the divine and start recognising the oneness in dance and God. Classical dance gives us emotional and intellectual satisfaction and enhances our divine journey. To keep up the tradition the temple provides classical Bharathanatyam classes for children of varying ages during weekends on term basis. These sessions are timetabled and run by very experienced teachers who have dedicated their time on a voluntary basis.

Donations

BENEFIT OF SIGNING GIFT AID

Gift aid is a scheme to enable charities to turn nearly every £1 donated by you into £1.28

To be eligible to give this gift to the Temple:

You have to be a UK taxpayer - either paying income tax on earnings, pensions or savings, or capital gains tax. All the Treasury asks is that you're paying more in tax in any given year than we can claim in Gift Aid on your donation.

How can the devotees contribute:

All you have to do is complete a Gift Aid Declaration Slip/form. This will allow us to claim on your donations, providing you have paid tax from that date. For every pound our devotees donate the Treasury gives Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple around 28p if the devotee has completed a Gift Aid Declaration.
So, take this step in contributing an additional 28% towards your donations.
Balaji Youth:

 

Summer camp
Winter camp
Balaji School
Vedic school
Cultural school
Music school
Hindi classes

Vedic School

A group of Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple Volunteers runs a School for Vedic heritage which organizes a weekly Sunday school between 11.00 am to 12.30 pm for children between the ages of 5 and 12 in order to ensure the best possible teaching, understanding and practice of Hindu Dharma and values. The aims of this school are to preserve and promote Sanathana Dharma, to inspire children and provide an opportunity for them to learn about their rich heritage, to develop a positive personality based on physical, spiritual and mental development and to create an environment where children learn, enjoy, make friends and learn new skills.
This service is free and open to all the devotees. Donations are welcomed.


 Arriving Instructions

Directions by Road

Please note that M6 Toll should be avoide
The Temple site is just 5 miles from the Birmingham city centre and easy to reach by road and rail ... and of course not far from Birmingham International Airport too.
It is on Dudley Road East, Tividale, just two miles from the motorway, M5 Junction 2, and even closer to Sandwell & Dudley railway station.

Coming by Car (For Sat Navigation please use Post Code – B69 3EB)


North London 2 hrs
South London 2½ hrs.
Liverpool 1½ hrs.
Manchester 2 hrs

Coming by Bus

Number 87 bus runs frequently from Birmingham New Street Station to Balaji Temple. Check the West Midlands By Road

Coming by Train

From Sandwell & Dudley Station
Temple is 20 minutes walking distance or five minutes by taxi.
From Birmingham New Street
Number 87 bus runs frequently from Birmingham New Street Station to Balaji Temple.

From North, East and South of England

Follow M6 to Junc.8 then get on to M5
Exit M5 at Junc.2, take 2nd exit at the roundabout and approach the bigger roundabout.
At this roundabout take the 4th exit into Wolverhampton Road A4123 towards Dudley.
Drive straight; then just before the 3rd traffic lights (pedestrian crossing), after the BP station on the right hand side, turn right into Lower City road.
At T-junction turn right into Dudley Road East, A457.
ake a left turn about 100 metres after the small hump-back bridge and before the traffic lights (pedestrian crossing) enter into the Temple complex

From West of England and London - M40

Take the M40 then M42 West and join the M5 heading north.
Exit M5 at Junc.2, take 2nd exit at the roundabout and approach the bigger roundabout.

Car park

Parking

Free coach and car parking spaces are available, including disabled parking. For special occasions arrangements are made for additional parking.
Drive slowly and carefully along the temple access road and park your car within the parking bay. Do not park in the 'No Parking' zones or misuse the 'Disabled' parking bays. Parking your motor vehicle in the temple car park will be entirely at your own risk.
Beware of the slippery pavements during inclement weather conditions.

Disabled Access

Ramps, lifts and wheelchairs are available for the mobility impaired.


Address

Dudley Road East
Tividale
West Midlands B69 3DU
England
Phone
0121 544 2256
Fax
0121 544 2257



  





Om Tat Sat
                                                        
(Continued...)                                                                                                                             




(My humble  salutations to the great devotees  and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection)





(The Blog  is reverently for all the seekers of truth, lovers of wisdom and   to share the Hindu Dharma with others on the spiritual path and also this is purely  a non-commercial blog)


Posted by gopalakrishna Thursday, August 21, 2014
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