The Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy Temple is located in Nekkundi Dommasandra, Sarjapura Hobli, Anekal Taluk, Bengaluru – 560087, Karnataka, India. This is one of the traditional Hindu temples built in Bengaluru, with a mission to provide a space for devotees to worship in the traditional style, while also offering religious, humanitarian, cultural, and educational resources for all interested in Hinduism.

The temple serves as a beacon for spiritual growth and well-being, aiming to propagate ideals for world peace, harmony, and health through the teachings of Sanatana Dharma.

Temple History

Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy Temple, founded and developed by Sri Archakam Srinath Swamy, appears to be a place where devotion and service intertwine deeply with a commitment to both spiritual and educational growth. The temple’s focus on helping underprivileged Brahmin children is a commendable initiative, integrating traditional worship with the important aspect of education.

The Vedha Pathasala, a school for the study of Vedic texts, is particularly significant in this context. Such schools play a crucial role in preserving and transmitting ancient knowledge, and it reflects a deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of spiritual scholars. The temple’s dual role as a center for worship and education showcases a holistic approach to service, where devotion to Lord Venkateswara goes hand-in-hand with improving the lives of those in need, particularly within the Brahmin community.

By combining spiritual teachings with practical educational initiatives, Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy Temple offers a model for community-focused religious institutions that serve both the soul and the intellect. This approach not only upholds traditional values but also helps adapt them to modern needs, ensuring the sustainability of both religious and educational practices for future generations.

The temple was built at a significant cost, with contributions from devotees across Bengaluru, Karnataka, and other states, demonstrating the widespread support for the temple’s mission.

Temple Structure

The architectural design of Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy Temple, crafted by its founder Sri Sri Archakam Srinath Swamy, is unique and stands out from other Sri Venkateswara Temples due to its integrated approach. By incorporating not only the main shrine for Lord Venkateswara but also separate shrines for Sri Lakshmi (Tayar) and Sri Hanuman, the temple creates a spiritually rich and harmonious space that fosters a sense of divine presence.

The inclusion of Sri Lakshmi (Tayar) Temple alongside the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple highlights the traditional relationship between Lord Venkateswara and Goddess Lakshmi. In many Venkateswara temples, Lakshmi is revered as the divine consort, and having her temple in proximity ensures that both deities are worshipped together, symbolizing the divine union of wealth, prosperity, and abundance with spiritual wisdom.

The presence of the Sri Hanuman Temple adds another layer of devotional depth. Hanuman is widely venerated for his unwavering devotion, strength, and protection, and his inclusion signifies the importance of courage, humility, and loyalty in spiritual practice. Hanuman’s blessings are often sought for strength in overcoming personal challenges and obstacles, making his temple an integral part of the temple complex.

Together, these three deities—Venkateswara, Lakshmi, and Hanuman—create a balanced and divine space, reflecting a comprehensive view of spiritual harmony. This unique architectural arrangement is not only a blend of devotion but also a representation of the interconnection between different aspects of divinity, ensuring that devotees receive blessings for both material prosperity (Lakshmi) and spiritual strength (Venkateswara and Hanuman).

The temple’s design, by blending these elements, reflects a deep understanding of spiritual needs, and it serves as a place of worship, reflection, and protection, where the presence of these deities can be felt in unity.

Agama

In accordance with the Agama Shastras (temple manuals), the temple is constructed to symbolize the human body. The structure is designed such that its two sides represent the arms, and the top signifies the head. At the innermost part of the temple, known as the Garbhagraha (sanctum sanctorum), the deity of Lord Venkateswara (a manifestation of Lord Vishnu) resides.

The temple follows the Panchatantra Agama, a set of texts consisting of 108 samhitas (collections), which outline the rituals and practices for worship.

ArchaRoopam

The Agama texts state that Narayana, the eternal Divine Being, should be worshipped in his ArchaRoopam (iconic form) within temples and homes. The worship of the Murti (idol) is believed to invoke the divine presence and connect the devotee with God’s power. A significant event, such as Kumbhabhishekam, is performed to recharge the idol with divine energy, especially when its spiritual potency is diminished due to transgressions or neglect. The ArchaAvatara of Hari (Lord Vishnu) allows devotees direct access to divine grace and protection.

Priests and Rituals

In Hindu temples, priests play a crucial role as intermediaries between the devotees and the deity. According to Agama rules, the priests at Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy Temple are known as Bhaktacharya, Bhattacharya, or Bhattar. These priests come from families with a long tradition of temple priesthood and undergo rigorous training from a young age, often through a Vedhapathashala (Vedic school).

The temple priests perform all the daily and weekly rituals, ensuring the temple’s continuous service to the community. Special events such as Kumbhabhishekam require additional priests, who are invited from other temples in Bengaluru to ensure the proper conduct of the rituals.

Worship and Religious Services

The temple offers a variety of religious services, including:

Archana (ritual worship with offerings)
Abhishekam (sacred bathing of deities)
Sathyanarayana Puja (a special worship to Lord Sathyanarayana)
KalyanaUtsavam (marriage festival for deities)
Homa (sacred fire rituals)
These services are held regularly, and special events and programs are announced on the temple’s Services, Programs & News sections of the website.