Hyderabad Trips:Mecca Masjid, Birla Temple

After our visit to Chowmahalla Palace, we thought to visit the mecca masjid nearby. It is the oldest mosque in Hyderabad city and one of the oldest and largest mosques in India. It is built by 6^th Qutb Shai sultan of Golkonda. It is said that it can occupy 10, 000 worshippers at the same time!!. It is near Charminar only. U can enjoy the magnificent view of charminar if you visit this. And if you visit charminar , don’t  forget to visit this :-) :-)  It is having many tombs of kings. 

view of charminar from Mecca Masjid

The views of flying sparrows is  simply superb. One has to be there to enjoy it.  After the bomb blasts in outskirts of it, security is enhanced and strict bag checking going on there now. Still, no hindrance to those who visit without Bags except normal checking.

After that we went in Nampally bus to go to Birla Mandir. We have to get down near Ravindra Bharathi. It is nice auditorium.  Yesterday(28 jan) had something to remember for me. At the entrance , we saw a board about  a drama at 4 o’clock in Ravindra Bharathi. You may be wondering whats the speciality in that? Its quite common for dramas to be staged in Ravindra Bharathi. But that was drama in my mother tongue Kannada. Was quite amazed and didn’t expect that here. But we haven’t had tickets for that and our main aim was going to birla mandir. Moreover we were very hungry and eager to have lunch. So went to Kamath Hotel nearby. Near Birla temple you have plenty of good hotels.

     Then we went to Birla temple.Visiting timings for the temple is morning 7 to 12 . It will be closed from 12 to 2. Then from 2 in the afternoon, it will be opened again.  The way to temple is a bit uphill. The narrow path is like a street surrouned by shops in both sides. U can find religious photos, threads, coconut and other things of worship, ornaments etc.  We reached Birla temple complex.  There is also strict security. We can’t carry any electronic gadgets inside. So deposited our cell phones, cameras in the free service clock room. Ofcourse, we can take photos from outside after that. We have to keep our slippers, shoes also in the free service counter for that. Then we started climbing the steps of Birla Temple Complex.

Collection of Temples in Birla Temple

  It is actually a complex of temples. First temple is of the god who removes all troubles. Yes, Vignanivaraka Ganesha Temple.  We prayed him and after pradakshina to that temple, we went to next temple. That is of Kailasapathi. Yes, you are right again ! It is of Lord Shiva. After that we were blessed by red colour idol of Sri Hanuman Bhagavan. After that we seen one more temple of hanuman.   After that we started climbing steps again. There is a library. U can visit that if u have time. While u climb the steps, u get to see the magnificent views of Husain sagar. The budha statue, Lumbini park views are so nice from those steps that it can’t be described in words J. You can also see the views of Hyderabad city.  We also saw the picture of Dasharatha Maharaja’s Putrakameshti Yaga and other of ramarajyam.

way up

Main temple in birla temple complex is of Lord Venkateshwara. That is the top most temple there. Before we get there there is one pravesha Dwaram. The style of that is similar to that of praveshadwaram of  Nanjundeshwara templeof  Mysore. My friend from tamilnadu Santhosh told that it is same in Tamilnadu also. There we have white marble inscription of image of Krishna’s Geetopadesha to Arjuna.

   Then there is Sai Bhaba mandir in the left side when u climb. We went there . It’s a quite place for those who are in peaceful place for meditation. We enjoyed the calmness and views from that place. After that there is one more place. There you find a lift. The lift is for old age people and other s who are unable to come using steps for the temple. The view from that point is also good. To the astonishment of me and more to appreciate the people who built it, it the main sayings from almost all major religions in the world even including that of confusious.  After that we saw the Yaga shala. It is having the image of Lord Ganesh along with his 2 wives Ridhi and Siddi.

  After that we came back and started climbing the steps to Lord Venkateshwara temple. There are separate ways to ascend and descend the temple. On the walls of both the ways, there are white marble stone inscriptions from Tulsi Ramayan and corresponding verses from tulsi ramayan. After enjoying the views of those in ascending way, we entered the premises of venkateshwara temple. It is having all 10 avataras of Lord Vishnu outside the temple.  The temple is said to be constructed in Rajasthani and Utkal Style. It is also having the images of Sri Shankaracharya, Sri Ramanujacharya, and Swamiji Of Chinmaya Mission. Infront of the temple there is Garuda Temple. And Garuda Dwaja for that. Santhosh told that they call it “Kodi Maram” in Tamil. Praveshadwaram is beside Garuda Dwaja itself. Surya pointed out people throwing coins from garuda temple to a floar of praveshadwaram. There is one foot or so space there. Couldn’t get the reason behind that exactly. It may be somewhat  like if the coin stays there there wish will be satisfied. If it falls from there, wish won’t be satisfied or somewhat like that.

  There is temple of Godess Padmavati @the Right of Lord Venkateshwara and Godess Andalamma @ the left.  After praying to these deities we went inside.  The statue of Lord Venkateshwara is in Black Marble. In the entrance also there is 2 dieties welcoming and wishing us.  In the Entrance there is picture of Samudra Mathana.  We stepped in first entrance.  After that we are having the pictures of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma to the left of us or to the right of  Venkateshwara.  Then there are  those of Godess Parvati, Godess Lakshmi, Godess Saraswati in the opposite site accordingly. There is picture of Sita Rama, Radha Krishna also. Then in the centre there is lord Venkateshwara decorated beautifully with flowers. Santhosh told that Shanivar(Saturday) as . the day of Lord Venkateshwar. So we were double delighted.  After praying there, we took the prasadam and came out.

Birla Mandir@night(Courtesy: Indiamirror.com)

If you happen to visit that temple in the evening, it would be more beautiful in focus light.

@ the base of Birla Temple

After seeing the main temple also there is place to sit and meditate or enjoy the magnificent views of the city from there. We decended enjoying the views. Then there is a shopping complex @ the root of the steps.  After collecting our belongings and taking some photos we returned from Birla Mandir with mind full of devotion and satisfaction.