The Shri Venkateswara Temple is one of Europe’s largest functioning Hindu temples. It is dedicated in the Vaishnava tradition to a form of the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple is located in Tividale, West Midlands, England between the suburbs of Tipton and Oldbury, northwest of Birmingham city. The temple was designed with inspiration from the Tirupati Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple was consecrated and opened to the general public in August 2006.
Tividale
West Midlands
B69
England
- Air Condition,
- Drinking Water
This is a place of worship; kindly observe the rules appropriate to such a place.
Your safety and comfort is our primary concern while you are at the Temple premises.
A strict dress code doesn't operate in the temple. However, attire appropriate to a Place of worship is welcome.
UPON ARRIVAL
1. Park your car in the designated car park without blocking access to other car users.
2. For information and assistance, enquire at the reception
IN THE GROUND FLOOR LOBBY
1. Do not leave your shoes in the entrance lobby. Shoe racks on the ground floor in the inner lobby are adjacent to the toilets. Remove your shoes before going to the POOJA HALL on the first floor.
2. Do not allow your children to wander about without supervision.
3. Help us to maintain the tidiness and cleanliness of the premises by putting your litter in the designated bins. Leave the toilets in as clean a condition as you would wish to find them yourself.
4. Do not enter into unauthorised areas such as priests’ areas, kitchens, offices and storerooms which are clearly signposted.
5. Switch off your mobile phone before going to Pooja Hall.
IN THE POOJA HALL
1. Stand or be seated leaving the central aisle free for other devotees to walk up to the shrine or to observe the Pooja.
Darshan and Archana queues are clearly signposted.
2. Maintain silence in the prayer hall particularly while proceedings are in progress. If you are with young children, try to keep them quiet. Other worshippers would really appreciate this as you yourself would. Do not use your mobile phone.
3. Attentively listen to any announcements which are made from time to time for your benefit and to ensure the smooth running of the Temple activities.
4. After the pooja form an orderly queue to receive blessings from the priests.
5. Be aware of the needs of young children and elderly persons who might appreciate being led ahead in the queue.
6. Do not touch any of the statues or other exhibits.
7. Do not eat or drink in the Pooja Hall.
8. Feel free to ask for information from the priests, volunteers or Temple’s staff.
PARTAKING OF PRASADAM
1. Prasadam and Annadhanam are served in the conservatory.
2. Form an orderly queue to receive Prasadam from the volunteers who are generally available to serve.
3. On receiving the Prasadam, move away from the serving area to allow the other devotees to be served.
4. Be aware of the needs of young children and elderly persons who might appreciate being led ahead in the queue.
5. In the interest of general tidiness and hygiene, be careful not to spill any food or water on the floor or on the seats.
6. Give special attention to children when they eat.
7. Make sure that you rinse the used plates and leave in the designated areas.
8. Bring your own water bottles as plastic usage has been eliminated in the temple. Water dispensers are available to collect drinking water.
9. Water bottles can be purchased at the office counter.
GENERAL
1. Your safety is our prime consideration.
2. No pets are allowed in the temple premises.
3. As you can see, the temple construction project is still not complete. Therefore, the site consists of areas that are somewhat hazardous and therefore unsuitable for children to play or to wander about. Please ensure that your children are always in the main circulation areas and are under your supervision at all times.
From its humble roots, half a century ago, this steadily growing Hindu temple is now regarded as the largest of its kind in the UK and Europe. Each year, an increasing number of devotees and visitors, currently nearly half a million, visit the temple. Many visiting groups including over 10,000 students from schools, colleges, and University, come to the temple for guided tours.
The journey began in the late 1970s when a group of Hindu Diaspora from the Indian sub-continent shared a vision to create a temple, a sanctuary for prayer, and meditation. The inspiration was the Venkateswara (Balaji) temple located in Tirupathi, in South India.
Initially, the group held regular monthly community prayers at Shri Geeta Bhawan Mandir in Handsworth, Birmingham. In 1980, a deity of Lord Venkateswara, set in an ornately carved wooden Mandapam, was installed in the Mandir. Monthly pujas were performed, initially on the first Sunday of each month and then weekly every Sundays, attended by hundreds of devotees.
Support for building a purpose-built Venkateswara temple grew wider. In October 1984, a fifteen-members management committee was elected to take on the task of raising funds and finding a suitable land. The 15-member committee headed by Dr Agnihorti met regularly in each other’s homes to discuss the ways of realising their dream. A new charity, Shri Venkateswara Balaji Temple, (SVBT) was established and registered in November 1984. After four years, the members decided to change its structure to a five-members elected Trustees. Consequently, the first Board of Trustees were elected in 1988 headed by Dr Narayan Rao. The search for a suitable site and to raise the funds needed to realise the dream began in earnest. An army of dedicated members worked relentlessly searching for suitable land and to gain support from the wider section of the community.
The Yagasala, the hall for performing yagnas (Homam), the first of its kind in UK was completed and became a daily functioning sacrificial ritual hall in 2014.
The complex also includes seven symbolic Hills dedicated to major faiths. A statue of Buddha carved in wood by a local artist was installed on a hill dedicated to Buddhism in 2001, The wooden statue was later replaced by a granite Dharmachakra (Wheel of Dharma). The Christian Hill was formally opened by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams in 2008 unveiling a plaque with a quote from the bible. In September 2013, the Zoroastrian Hill with a steel sculpture by a local artist to represent the faith was erected. The other Faith Hills represent Jainism, Sikhism, Islam and Judaism. The temple facilitates Interfaith events.
Gandhi Peace Centre, the first of its kind outside India, was built in the Balaji grounds and opened its doors in 2018 with a grand opening ceremony presided by its donor Mrs Rajashree Birla of Aditya Birla Group. It is a simple circular building, containing exhibits showing the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi and space for study, yoga, and meditation.
The development of the complex is still continuing with plans for completing the processional way for the chariot, a dining hall, and to complete the extensive landscaping before a long-awaited Maha Kumbabishekam of Lord Venkateswara.
Lord Venkateswara, fondly called Balaji, is the presiding deity of the temple. He is one of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu and is the preserver of the Universe. He represents the function of sustenance in creation.
According to the Hindu Scriptures, Vishnu, out of love for his devotees incarnated as Venkateswara and appeared for the salvation and elevate humanity in this Kali Yuga and is considered the supreme form of Vishnu in this age. Venkateswara means the Lord who destroys the sins of the people. This deity is in similar form to Lord Balaji at Tirumala, Tirupati in India.
Lord has descended from Vaikunta to earth to give blessing of wealth and prosperity to all the devotees who surrender to his Lotus feet as indicated by the posture of his right hand. He also adores Sridevi (Goddess of wealth) and Bhudevi (Mother Earth) in His chest.
Brahmotsavam and Vaikunta Ekadasi are the popular festivals for Balaji. The Great.
- Ayyappan
- Ganesha
- Hanuman Avatar
- Murugan
- Navgraha
- Padmavati
- Shirdi Sai baba
- Shri Vasavi
- Shiva
- Venkateswara
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BY CAR:
- Please use postcode B69 3EB for Sat Nav.
- The temple is located 7 miles (11 km) from the Birmingham City Centre.
- Free parking is available for cars and coaches, including disabled parking.
BY TRAIN :
Sandwell & Dudley Station:
- Sandwell & Dudley station is 1.1 miles (1.8 km) away from the temple.
- From the station, you can travel to the temple by taxi or walk.
Birmingham Stations:
Following Birmingham stations are approximately 7 miles (11 km) away from the temple:
- Birmingham New Street
- Birmingham Moor Street
- Birmingham Snowhill
From the station, you can travel to the temple by taxi or by number 87 bus.
BY BUS:
Bus number 87 frequently runs from the Birmingham City Centre to the temple.
