Ketkawla Balaji Temple, Maharashtra

Address

Ketkawla Balaji Temple, Maharashtra

Baner Pashan Link Road, Pashan – Sus Rd,

Pashan, Pune,

Maharashtra 411021

Moolavar

Sri Balaji

Amman

Padmavathi Thayar

Introduction

• Location: Ketkawale village near Narayanpur, approximately 45 km from Pune, Maharashtra.
• Surroundings: Spread across 10 acres, the temple is nestled amidst the scenic Sahyadri hills.
• Presiding Deities:
  • Sri Balaji (Lord Venkateswara) as the main deity.
  • Thayar and Padmavathi Thayar in separate sannadhis.
• Significance:
  • The idols and temple structure closely resemble the Tirumala Tirupati Temple.
  • Activities such as prasadam distribution and rituals mirror those at Tirumala Devasthanam.

Puranic Significance

• The temple is a replica of Tirupati Balaji Temple.
• Development: Built by the Venkateshwara Charitable Trust, established by the VH Group.
  • Founded by Dr. Banda Vasudev Rao in 1971.
  • Construction spanned 1996 to 2003, costing ₹27 Crores.
• Priests: The temple employs priests directly from Tirupati Temple, Andhra Pradesh.
• Architecture:
  • Entrance made of stone with beautiful carvings.
  • Various shrines inside the temple complex dedicated to different deities.
  • Materials, such as black stones, were sourced from Kancheepuram.

Special Features

• Unique Idol: The presiding deity is carved from wood and painted with grey oil paint—unlike the original Tirupati Temple, where the idol is made of stone.
• Interior Design: The temple interior is adorned with intricate woodwork and vibrant colors.
• Small Shrines:
  • Inside the temple: Shrines for Venugopala Swamy, Chakratalwar, and Andal.
  • Outside the main temple: A shrine for Lord Kubera.
• Decorative Elements: The top surface of the temple features paintings of Lord Venkateswara.

Festivals

• Major festivals celebrated with grandeur include:
  • Ram Navami
  • Chitra Pournami
  • Vijaya Dashami
  • Vaikunta Ekadasi
  • Kanu Pongal
  • Gudi Padva
  • Tamil New Year
  • Deepavali
• Tamil New Year is especially celebrated with elaborate decorations and enthusiasm by devotees.

Century/Period

1996 to 2003

Nearest Bus Station

Pune-Solapur highway, near Saswad village.

Nearest Railway Station

Pune Station

Nearest Airport

Pune 

Location on Map

lightuptemple