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Located
about 25 kms from the heart of Hyderabad city is located
the picturesque Sanghi Nagar, an industrial suburb. Seen
from several kilometers away is the Sanghi Temple complex
with its 15 feet tall sacred Raja Gopuram. This beautiful
temple complex atop the hillock Paramanand Giri beckons
the faithful devotees who seek gods infinite blessings.
The aura of divinity and the verdant slope around the
temple complex is panoramic and breathtaking.
As one approaches the road leading to the Paramanand
Giri, a huge Maha Dwaram or gateway welcomes the visitors.
A little further away, a long flight of steps leads
to the entrance of the temple complex. Stone elephant
heads form the banisters of the stairway. Standing
at the foot of the hillock, one is awestruck to see
the three Gopurams towering into the blue sky. And
before ascending to the temple complex on top, one
stops by at the shrine of Lord Anjaneya, son of the
wind God, who is believed to guide the devotees to
the abode of Gods. The red-faced Lord Anjaneya is the
embodiment of death to the demons and his very name
drives away all evils.
Once on top of the hillock, a heavy,
beautifully carved door forms the main entrance of the
temple complex.
The majestic temple complex is built in the Chola-Chalukya
style of architecture.
Lord Venkateswara, known as the
bestower of piety and plenty is the presiding deity of
the complex. The
9 1/2 feet tall idol of the deity is a true replica
of the one at Tirumala and resides in the imposing
sanctum sanctorum in the center of the complex. Alankaram
and abhishekam are regularly performed to the Lord
at the Balaji temple.
To the right of the Balaji temple,
stands the abode of Goddess Padmavathi, the consort of
Lord Venkateswara.
The Vimanam of Padmavathi Temple is 32 feet. Described
as the epitome of love, mercy and compassion, the deity
here is seated on a lotus and is also holding lotuses
in her hand.
Residing on the left
of the Balaji temple is Lord Shiva or the "destroyer" among
the trinity. This all powerful Lord is seated on a
lotus with a
crescent moon decorating his hair and a trident in
his right hand. Standing next to the Lord is "Shakti
Swaroopini" Kamalambika.
Close to the shrine of Lord Venkateswara, is the
temple of Lord Rama, the symbol of man's conquest over
evil. Accompanying the Lord are his faithful consort
Sita, devoted brother Lakshmana and fervent devotee
Hanuman, who is seated at the feet of the Lord with
folded hands.The temple of Lord Vijayganapathi is next
to the Rama temple. Known as the remover of all obstacles,
his
blessings are invoked prior to commencing any activity.
The Navagraha deities
are the only ones that are in an open temple. Surya,
the Sun God stands in the
center and other Grahas surround him, each facing a
direction over which he rules.The abode of Kartikeya
is on the left of the Ganesh temple, fulfilling the
tradition
of his being on a
hill top. Holding a staff in his right hand and resting
his left hand on his waist, the loin clothed Kartikeya
is like a Kalpavriksha fulfilling the desires of his
devotees.Further away is the temple of
Goddess Durga. The dark moon faced deity clad in a
saffron robe has three
eyes. Decorated with ornaments and hibiscus flower
garlands, the Goddess holds a lotus in her right hand
and the left hand reposes downward.The Ashtalakshmi
temple is between the Balaji and Padmavathi temples.
Bedecked with jewellery and garlands,
Goddess Aadilakshmi in eight facets is seated holding
a lotus and Abhaya mudra in her two hands and a lotus
and Vara mudra (offering boons) in her other two hands.
The
exotic flowers for the Gods in the temple are grown
in the Pavitra Vanam or "Holy Garden".
Plots have been demarcated for each deity and special
leaves and flowers are grown for performing poojas. The
temple complex also houses a Kalyan Mandapam where
marriages and other auspicious ceremonies are
performed. The Mandapam is a raised platform with a
decorated canopy over it. It is built in a style similar
to the temples in the complex and blends perfectly
into its surroundings. A well tended lawn in front
provides plenty of open space for seating the spectators.Different
poojas are performed each day. Besides, the temple
at Sanghi offers special poojas during festivals.
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The
temple opens in the early morning at 5.00 am. For one
hour, Suprabhatham is done followed by archana to the
deities from 6 am to 8 am. General darshan for the
devotees is allowed from 8.30 am to 10.30 am. and 4
pm to 6 pm. Poojas and sevas are held between 6 pm
and 8 pm. The temple remains closed between 12 am and
4 pm and after 8 pm.
Weekly abhishekam is performed to the deities between
8 am and 9 am - Sri Ramalingeswara (Mondays), Sri Hanuman
(Tuesdays), Sri Venkateswara, Ashtalakshmi, Parvathi,
Padmavathi, and Rama (Fridays).
Festivals like Sivaratri,
Sri Rama Navami, Krishnashtami, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Dussera,
Hanuman Jayanthi and Brahmotsavams
are performed with religious fervor and gaiety. A visit
to the Sanghi temple is indeed refreshing and leaves
the visitors with a feeling of divinity
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