Visit to Balaji Temple (Shri Venkateshwara Temple), near Pune

Location: near Saswad, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Attractions: Lord Balaji Temple
Best time to visit: Anytime

It was 10^th August, 2013 when I left from Wakad (pune) to pick up my friend at Baner. We had a quick breakfast and started our day-tour to temples by 10.45am on my Honda Twister. 

The plan was to visit Sangameshwar and Bhuleshwar temple near Saswad, but we missed the diversion to reach Saswad via Kondhva road and got on the different route to reach Saswad. This route was via Kapurhol–Narayanpura road. On the Narayanpura road we stopped by at Balaji temple.

Route:

From Baner, get on the Pune-Banglore highway and drive towards Banglore. After driving for ~54Kms (from Wakad) you will reach the Kapurhol Junction. At this junction, take left to get on the Narayanpura road. Balaji temple will be visible on your right side in next ~4Kms.

Other route:

From Baner, get on the Pune-Banglore highway and drive towards Katraj. Cross Warje bridge. Skip the bridge before Sinhagadh road, you need to get on the left road skipping the bridge (the bridge will take you towards Kapurhol). Keep driving on this road for ~22-23Kms to reach Saswad. At Saswad junction take right to get on the Naraynpura road. Balaji temple will be visible on your left side after driving for ~18Kms on Narayanpura road.

Balaji Temple:

We took the route via Kapurhol and reached the temple at around 12.30pm. There was a big free parking area available for two/four wheelers vehicles. We had to deposit our bags before entering the temple, no bags allowed inside the temple. Take out your cell phones, cameras which can be deposited later when you actually get in the main temple. 

 

Entrance to the main temple

This temple is believed to be a replica of the famous Tirupati Balaji temple of South India. There was no crowd like that of the Tirupati Balaji temple, where people stand in the queue for hours to get glimpse of god. Here, in no time we were inside the main temple.

Temple is beautifully colored and looked very well maintained. Detailed colorful paintings on the walls and ceiling will definitely grab your attention. We took blessings from lord Balaji and spent some 15minutes inside the temple. We were offered a laddu in prasad which was big enough to fill up my stomach. 

We enjoyed our laddu in the clean divine premises of the temple surrounded by green hills and listening melodious song praising the lord balaji. I did not understand the language of that song except the God’s name, but I liked that rhythm and I can still hum it. 

One of the temple in the premises

Cameras are not allowed inside but once you are out of the main temple, you are free. we collected our phones/cameras and tried capturing the beautiful entrance of the temple and other small temples around.

I have not been to the original temple of Tirupati Balaji, so I found it worth stopping by here and see this temple. This spot should be in your list if you have a plan of exploring area near Saswad, Narayanpura or if you are going via Kapurhol.

We spent some 1.5hr at the temple and then decided to leave for the next stop Sangameshwar temple, near Saswad.

The temple premises clicked while leaving

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Next Stop: Sangameshwar Temple