Avtar Mota
Sandeep Mota and his wife took us to another grand temple today. Known as Venkateswara Bala Ji Temple, it is a new temple built in Dravidian style of Temple Architecture with two imposing white Gopurams .The Gopuram refers to the pyramidal-shaped tower at the temple entrance ,an important feature in South Indian temples.A Gopuram is not seen in Nagara style Temple Architecture of North India . style? Nagara architecture originated in northern India and spread to other parts of the subcontinent. It is characterised by its tall, pyramidal towers called Shikharas. These are topped by a bulbous finial called a Kalasha.Laxminarayan Temple of Delhi Is a perfect example of Nagara style of architecture .The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple,Khajuraho is perhaps the best example of Nagara style. We have mixed style temples also .Vesara is a hybrid form of Indian temple architecture that combines Dravidian Southern Indian site layouts with shape details characteristic of the Nagara style of North India. This fusion style likely originated in the historic architecture schools of the Dharwad region in Karnataka.The trend was started by the Chalukyas of Badami (500-753AD) who built temples in a style that was essentially a mixture of the Nagara and the Dravida styles.
In the temples of South India, a Gopuram serves as the entrance to the temple compound through the surrounding walls. From tall, intricately carved gopurams to majestic pillars , the beautiful temples in South India are rich in legend and stunning in their grandeur.In south India, Hindu temples share common architectural elements, including a main entrance (Gopuram), a central shrine (Garbhagriha), an outer hall (Mandapa), and often a circumambulatory path around the sanctum. Temples are adorned with intricate carvings, sculptures, and religious symbolism.The Gopuram of a temple is often decorated with brightly coloured tiles and sculptures. The temples are also typically built on a large platform, with a series of smaller shrines surrounding the main temple.
Spread over an area of 11000 square feet, this Ventateswara Bala Ji Temple is just one hour’s car drive from Jersey city in Waterbridge. The Waterbridge town has a good population of Indians. Many Pakistanis also reside over here . We also visited an Indian grocery store that had spices and grocery products from India and Pakistan.
Entering through the Gopuram, we went up by a speeding lift . The Temple had two lifts each with a capacity of 10 to 12 persons .It was 8.30 am and the Abhishekam of the deity was being performed . We joined the ceremony and had Prasada. Inside the Mandapam, I saw small shrines with statues of Sri Ganesha, Radha Krishna, Shivlingam with Nandi,Sri Rama Darbaar, goddess Durga, goddess Lakshmi, goddess Saraswati , Bhidevi, Sridevi, Garuda, Satyanarayana, Anjaneya and some more Hindu deities . We were told that there are sixteen shrines with one dedicated to Navagrahas.
It was a pleasure to see another grand temple built by Hindus from Andhra Pradesh ,India in Jersey state . The main idol inside the sanctum sanctorum is of Venkateswara Swami . Venkateswara is a form of the Hindu deity Vishnu. He is also known as Venkatachalapati, Balaji, or Srinivasa, and is considered one of Vishnu’s ten incarnations. Venkateswara is the preserver of the universe and represents the function of sustenance in creation.
On weekends lot of devotees and visitors come to this place. There is enough parking place within the temple’ premises. Tasty South Indian snacks are available at the temple’s canteen. The Temple was built by a group of Indians who have settled in the US over a period of time. The temple also provides a spacious hall for Indian weddings.
This temple is being managed by polite and helpful volunteers coming from Telugu speaking Hindu residents some of whom are highly qualified professional living in the US.
While waiting for snacks in the Temple canteen, I met Vinayaka Reddy , 7 year old boy born and brought up in the US.This is my conversation with him.
“ Do you know any Mantra , Vinayaka ? “
“ I know Gayatri Mantra. Mom taught me Shivyajur Mantra . Papa,Mama and grandpa recite it everyday .”
“ Can you recite Shivyajur Mantra ?”
“Yes”
“Please do it for me “
“ Karpura-gaura karua-avataara
sansaar-saram bhujagendra-haaram ..
sada-vasantam hdayaaravinde
Bhavam bhavani-sahitam namaami “
I could only bless Vinayaka. Great for little Vinayaka and his parents to remain grounded and connected to India and its civilisation .
Autar Mota is a noted writer and columnist
