Indian Wonder: Largest Golden Temple in the World
The most famous Golden Temple is in Amritsar (Punjab, India). But it is not the largest Golden Temple. There is another Indian Wonder, carrying several times more gold on its roof than Amritsar temple. No doubt Amritsar is the holy city for Sikhs. But if you take the amount of gold, then Vellore Sri Puram Golden temple is the largest in India, perhaps in the world!
The gold used in Amritsar Golden Temple is about 100 kilos. The gold that was used in Sri Puram temple was 1500 kilo gold!!!
Sri Puram Temple was valued Rs 600 crores including the vast land, buildings and gold.
When I went o Sripuram Golden temple of Goddess Narayani (Maha Lakshmi) five years ago I was wonder struck. I felt that I have achieved something great in my life by visiting the temple. When I took my family to Bangalore in India, I cancelled the first class Railway reservations and arranged a car to travel from Chennai to Bangalore. My family was not happy for two reasons: 1.Tedious car journey and 2.cramping too many “unimportant” places in our itinerary. One of the “unimportant”, not heard of places is Vellore Sripuram Golden Temple. I told them to shut up till they see the temple.
As we reached Sri Puram, they could see the big crowd going towards the place and they realised there was something unique there. We stood in the queue like we do in Tirupati Balaji temple even after buying a special ticket. This helped us to cut short the queue. All along the walking route you can buy eatables and other memorabilia. When they saw the golden towers and walls of the temple they were all amazed. One disappointing thing was they didn’t allow cameras or mobile phones inside the temple complex.
The Golden Temple at Sri Puram is a must see place for everyone going to Tamil Nadu. Now I am telling all Londoners visiting Tamil Nadu to include it in their main itinerary.
Some important facts about the temple:
It was built in 2007.
The gold used for the temple- 1500 kilos!
Location: five miles from Vellore. Vellore is 80 miles from Chennai and 135 miles from Bangalore. It is under the foot of a small hill. Don’t miss the famous Jalakandeswarar Shiva temple in Vellore on you way.
Area occupied- 100 acres
Who runs the temple? A saint called Sri Sakthi Amma (amma means madam or mother in Tamil; but he is a man). Swamiji’s books , magazines and booklet about the beautiful temple are available in the temple complex.
What is the secret? The temple itself is constructed in star shape (reminding Sri Chakra of Goddess). Like all South Indian temples there is a sanctum sanctorum (Garba Gruham), Vimanam (tower) and Ardha Mandapam (hall before the sanctum sanctorum).
What does he teach? Like any Hindu saint Worship God, Serve the Community, Respect the Hindu scriptures etc. No cult or anything like we see in some other movements.
One can see the sculptures of all the gods when one walks along the long and winding route to the shrine.
It is a modern wonder, but definitely, a Wonder of the World.
For more of the same, contact [email protected]
*******
The most famous Golden Temple is in Amritsar (Punjab, India). But it is not the largest Golden Temple. There is another Indian Wonder, carrying several times more gold on its roof than Amritsar temple. No doubt Amritsar is the holy city for Sikhs. But if you take the amount of gold, then Vellore Sri Puram Golden temple is the largest in India, perhaps in the world!The gold used in Amritsar Golden Temple is about 100 kilos. The gold that was used in Sri Puram temple was 1500 kilo gold!!!
Sri Puram Temple was valued Rs 600 crores including the vast land, buildings and gold.
When I went o Sripuram Golden temple of Goddess Narayani (Maha Lakshmi) five years ago I was wonder struck. I felt that I have achieved something great in my life by visiting the temple. When I took my family to Bangalore in India, I cancelled the first class Railway reservations and arranged a car to travel from Chennai to Bangalore. My family was not happy for two reasons: 1.Tedious car journey and 2.cramping too many “unimportant” places in our itinerary. One of the “unimportant”, not heard of places is Vellore Sripuram Golden Temple. I told them to shut up till they see the temple.
As we reached Sri Puram, they could see the big crowd going towards the place and they realised there was something unique there. We stood in the queue like we do in Tirupati Balaji temple even after buying a special ticket. This helped us to cut short the queue. All along the walking route you can buy eatables and other memorabilia. When they saw the golden towers and walls of the temple they were all amazed. One disappointing thing was they didn’t allow cameras or mobile phones inside the temple complex.
The Golden Temple at Sri Puram is a must see place for everyone going to Tamil Nadu. Now I am telling all Londoners visiting Tamil Nadu to include it in their main itinerary.
Some important facts about the temple:
It was built in 2007.
The gold used for the temple- 1500 kilos!
Location: five miles from Vellore. Vellore is 80 miles from Chennai and 135 miles from Bangalore. It is under the foot of a small hill. Don’t miss the famous Jalakandeswarar Shiva temple in Vellore on you way.
Area occupied- 100 acres
Who runs the temple? A saint called Sri Sakthi Amma (amma means madam or mother in Tamil; but he is a man). Swamiji’s books , magazines and booklet about the beautiful temple are available in the temple complex.
What is the secret? The temple itself is constructed in star shape (reminding Sri Chakra of Goddess). Like all South Indian temples there is a sanctum sanctorum (Garba Gruham), Vimanam (tower) and Ardha Mandapam (hall before the sanctum sanctorum).
What does he teach? Like any Hindu saint Worship God, Serve the Community, Respect the Hindu scriptures etc. No cult or anything like we see in some other movements.
One can see the sculptures of all the gods when one walks along the long and winding route to the shrine.
It is a modern wonder, but definitely, a Wonder of the World.
For more of the same, contact [email protected]
*******
