Nerul Balaji Temple

The Balaji Temple is the situated in Nerul, Navi Mumbai which is built on the lines of Venkateshwara Temple at Tirupati and has been constructed according to the Shilpashastras. The main deity is Lord Balaji, in addition to Lord Balaji there are deities like Ganapathy, Anjaneyar in sitting (yoga) position, Narasimhar and Padbavathy Thayar. There is a sannathy for Ramanujar also and it is known that Ganapathy Sannathy in a Balaji temple is unusual as per practice in the South, the reason maybe due to the stature of Ganapati in Maharashtra.

The Architecture of the temple is very much cool and pleasant to view. As the devotees enter the temple complex, the very first thing that catches the attention of eyes is Bali Peetham and the tall Dhwaja stamba. Moving further, a flight of steps leads to the hall Tiru Mamani Mantapam. The hall consists of images of two doorkeepers-Jaya and Vijaya, who guard the sanctum sanctorum.The structure of the Mani Mantapam is made up of cement concrete following modern architectural practices and is meant for hoisting various temple and religious activities.
There are steps to reach the Balaji Temple from both sides of the hillock. `Bali Peetham` and the tall `Dhwaja Stambham` can be seen as one enters the temple. Next to Bali Peetham and the Dwaja Stambham, a flight of steps leads to the `Tiru Mamani Mandapam`.The structure of the Mani Mandapam has been built based on modern architectural practices. The cement concrete surfaces here are being built with exclusively carved granite stones.

Behind this Ardha Mandapam, there is the `Garbha Griham`. At the right foot of the lord is a very small silver idol, which is called `Bhoga Srinivasa` or `Kautuka Bera`. This idol imbibes the essence of the Lord and is bonded to the main `Moolavar` idol by a string. There are also other idols of deities like Shrinivasa with Sridevi and Bhoodevi made out of `Pancha Loha` known as Utsava idols (images of festivities). There are also the idols of Shri Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Anjaneya, Shri Krishna with Rukhmini.
The temple area has a garden full of shade-giving trees which are under well maintenance. From the near side of the temple, there is a beautiful view of the famous Palm Beach Road that connects Vashi with Belapur and goes via Nerul.