Shri.Balaji Temple, Dist.Washim

Getting there

• By train

  Washim is a railway junction, with trains connecting it to Akola, Purna, Nanded and Khandwa.

• By road

  Washim Bus Station, run by MSRTC, is the main public bus station. Buses to Akola leave about every 15 to 30 minutes.

Why devotees come here

Shri.Balaji Temple is among the oldest and most esteemed shrines in Washim town, in Washim district of Maharashtra's Vidarbha region. It is dedicated to Vyankateshwar Balaji. Legend says its idols were buried in Aurangzeb's time, and one was dug up by chance around 1760.

Washim town counts the Shri.Balaji Temple among its oldest and most esteemed shrines. The town is especially famous for it. Legend says its idols were buried during Aurangzeb's rule to keep them from being destroyed, and that their place was lost over time. Around 1760, a horseman accidentally uncovered one of the buried idols.

The district page says Bhavani Kalu, a Diwan of the Bhosle rulers, built the temple in 1779 AD. The complex has a spacious paved quadrangle, a verandah for pilgrims and a Bhandara for Brahmins. The chief image is of black stone and is decorated with ornaments. The complex also has various other amenities for pilgrims. The district page says the work took 12 years, and an inscription on a pillar marks its completion in 1776 AD.

A dome plated with gold has recently been built over the inner chamber. Beside the temple is the Dev Talav, also called Balaji Talav, a large square tank with stone-built sides. A platform in the middle of its water was made as a resting place for swimmers.

Festivals

• Ashvina month (September to October)Balaji fair

  A big fair in honour of Balaji, drawing about 12,000 to 15,000 people.

Tips for your visit

• The temple gateway has a rather abrupt staircase, but the top gives a fine view of the town.
• The Ramchandra temple stands on the far side of the Deo talav from the Balaji temple.

Questions people ask