In a significant move for devotees in eastern India, the renowned Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is set to construct its first Lord Balaji temple in Patna, Bihar. The temple trust, which manages the iconic Tirumala shrine, has received formal approval and land allocation from the Bihar government for this major project.
Bihar Government's Land Allocation for the Sacred Shrine
The Bihar government has agreed to allocate a substantial 10.11-acre plot of land in the Mokama Khas area of Patna to the TTD. This decision was formally communicated by Bihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit in a letter to TTD Chairman BR Naidu. The land will be provided on a long-term lease of 99 years for a nominal token rent of just Re 1, highlighting the state's support for the initiative.
The proposal to build a replica temple of Lord Venkateswara Swamy, commonly known as Lord Balaji, has been accepted by the state administration. To formalize the process, the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the TTD, paving the way for construction to begin.
TTD's National Mission: A Balaji Temple in Every State
TTD Chairman BR Naidu expressed his gratitude to the Bihar government for its positive response. He confidently stated that the new temple in Patna is poised to become one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the state. This project is a key part of TTD's broader national mission.
The trust is actively working to propagate the glory of Lord Venkateswara across the country by establishing at least one replica temple in every state and union territory. Naidu provided an update on this expansive plan:
- The trust has already established Lord Balaji temples in major cities including Jammu, Kurukshetra, Rishikesh, New Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kanyakumari, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
- The construction of a Lord Balaji temple in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, supported by donors, is on the verge of completion.
- Last month, the Assam government allocated 10.5 acres of land in Guwahati for the first TTD temple in Northeast India, and construction will commence soon.
- In October, proposals were approved for a new temple near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.
A Boost for Pilgrimage and Cultural Connectivity
The establishment of a TTD-managed temple in Patna marks a historic moment for devotees in Bihar and the surrounding regions. It will provide easier access to the sacred rituals and architectural grandeur of the Tirumala temple without the need to travel to Andhra Pradesh. This initiative is expected to:
- Significantly boost religious tourism in Bihar.
- Strengthen cultural and spiritual links between different parts of India.
- Offer a full-fledged center for Venkateswara worship, complete with traditional rituals and practices managed by TTD.
With the land secured and the bureaucratic process moving forward, the focus now shifts to planning and constructing the sacred replica, which will soon grace the landscape of Patna as a new beacon of faith for millions.
