Introduction
Out
of the temples of Lord Venkateswara which are scattered all over
India, Sri Venkateswara temple situated at Fanaswadi in South Mumbai
has attained great significance, since it is believed that those who
are unable to visit the sacred Tirumala Venkateswara Temple can visit
this temple, by considering it as the Holy Tirumala Temple, and they
can also fulfil their promises to this temple Lord. The temple has
earned this much reputation since devotees from all over India used
to visit this temple.
During the year 1927, this temple was constructed and from that year onwards to till date, all sorts of puja activities are being properly carried out by the temple management, by appointing nice temple priests.
Apart from the main deity, Sri Lakshmi Narsimha and Sri Sudarsana also occupy the temple. Rama and Krishna idols are also found along with their consorts, and our beloved Hanumanji is also present along with these deities. Some big halls are also available wherein various Temple Utsavas like Kalyana utsava are being performed cheerfully. Sri Venkatesh Devsthanam, Mumbai also involves in various social welfare activities like running an Ayurvedic clinic and medicines are distributed at free of charge.
Since Lord Balaji also called as Lord Venkateswara is the protector god, and since he safeguards us from troubles and turmoil, reciting the precious Sri Venkateswara Ashtakam is considered as a very good activity, and some of the excerpts from the Venkateswara Ashtakam are as follows:-
Oh! The great Lord of seven hills! Your Lotus like hands always blesses your devotees, and you are very benevolent towards your devotees. Your lips deliver the great divine smile. Your cheeks appear reddish. Your beauty is increasing day by day, and you are showing your love on your devotees through your wonderful appearance.
Oh! The great Lord of seven Hills, Your body appears in golden colour, and your eyes looks like the fresh lotus flowers. You contain a stunning beauty, your face is applied with various scented perfumes and it creates a good smell, you are the perfect match of your consort Ma Padmavati, and we cannot find such a wonderful deity from anywhere in the universe.
Oh! The great Lord of seven Hills, the ornaments which was worn by you, are considered to be very auspicious, the flower garlands which was worn by you, become the Divine Parijatha flowers, the milk which was used for your holy bath turned into the Divine Amirtha, the Holy Prasad offered to you are to be considered as the best item in the entire world, the golden crown which was worn by you on your head, is to be treated as the best crown in the entire world!
Oh! The great Lord of seven Hills, even the creator god Brahma, Lord Shiva and other deities are not equivalent before your wonderful beauty, your powers are unlimited and you contain a sweet nature.
Oh! The great Lord of seven Hills, please forgive the sins of those people who would have committed various sins even without their knowledge. Please show mercy on everybody, including me!
Oh! The great Lord of seven Hills, you are the fulfiller of your Devotees desires and you have been worshipped even by the supreme gods such as Lord Shiva, Indra and Brahma. Your lovely consort Ma Padmavati had once playfully pelted stones on you, due to your mischievous acts which closely resembles to that of Lord Krishna.
Oh! The great Lord of seven Hills, you are the holy Gopala who have mesmerised the entire universe through your divine flute music and you are the one who have stolen butter from your neighbourhood, you are the holy Rama, who has killed the evil demons like Ravana, you are the Vamana, who has sent King Mahabali to the Sutala Loka, you are the ferocious Narasimha who has safeguarded his devotee Prahalada from his father Demon Hiranyakasipu, you are the Parasurama, who has removed the ego of the Kshatriya Kings! Due to your grace, Prahalada and Dhruva have permanently attained the divine abode, and still they are worshipping you!
Oh! The great Lord of seven Hills, you have taken the Venkateswara Avatar in order to fill happiness in the minds of the people in the earth, and those who chant your glories would attain all sorts of benefits in the world.
Oh! The great Lord of seven Hills, you have made the Tirumala Hills as your earthly abode, and those who worship you at the Tirumala Temple, are to be considered as the worshippers of Lord Vishnu in the Vaikunta itself.
Oh! The great Lord of seven Hills, those who ignores you, would not get your grace, those who dislike you, would lead a sorrowful life, those who criticise you, would suffer from problems, those who consider just like an ordinary deity, would not lead a comfortable life.
Oh! The great Lord of seven Hills, the blessed ones are those who keeps their full attention on you, who admires your good qualities, who talks only about you, who consider you as the only god, who thinks about you even during the time of their sleep.
Oh! The great Lord of seven Hills, once if your devotees tastes your sweetness, then they would act like a bee by considering you as the divine flower. Those who involve themselves on your wonderful thoughts would never get fear on their mind. I consider you as the mighty Lord Muruga, Vinayaka, Shiva, Brahma, Indra, Shakti, Saraswati and as all other deities. Oh my dear Lord, please grant salvation to me and take me to your abode.
“OM SRI VENKATESWARAYA NAMAHA”
Sent By
R.HARISHANKAR
