About Jodhpur Venkateswara Swamy
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Our History
History and Establishment of the Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple at IAF Jodhpur
In 1989, a group of devoted Lord Venkateswara Swamy followers—MWO A.S.R. Murthy, Sgt. Subash Chandra Bose, and Sgt. G.N. Rao—were serving in the Indian Air Force at Jodhpur. They aspired to visit the renowned Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati. However, travel fro
History and Establishment of the Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple at IAF Jodhpur
In 1989, a group of devoted Lord Venkateswara Swamy followers—MWO A.S.R. Murthy, Sgt. Subash Chandra Bose, and Sgt. G.N. Rao—were serving in the Indian Air Force at Jodhpur. They aspired to visit the renowned Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati. However, travel from Jodhpur to Tirupati during that time was both financially and logistically challenging. Moreover, getting a darshan of the deity for even 10 seconds was considered a divine blessing.
During one such discussion, the idea emerged: Why not build a temple within the Air Force Station itself so that devotees could seek Swamy’s blessings every day? This marked the beginning of the vision for a Venkateswara Swamy Temple at IAF Jodhpur.
Initial Steps and Pooja Commencement
The devotees approached the then Temple Committee and sought permission from Wg. Cdr. S. Bahadur, the Temple Officer-in-Charge. Along with Sgt. Charry, they proposed starting regular poojas within the existing temple premises. Permission was granted, and a small metal idol (which remains in the temple today) was installed. Poojas were performed by the temple pandit and continued regularly every Saturday.
In the following year, the Telugu Association organized grand Ugadi celebrations at the ICRISAT premises. The event was widely publicized and well attended by personnel from the Army, Defence Labs, ICRISAT, and IAF Jodhpur. Inspired by the success of the event, there was a collective agreement to formally construct a Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple at the Air Force Station.
Securing Approvals and Bhoomi Pooja
Senior IAF officer AVM N.S. Sastry approached Air Commodore N.L. Gupta, the AOC Jodhpur, seeking permission to construct the temple. The Bhoomi Pooja was performed at the current temple site with participation from several devotees including:
- AVM N.S. Shastry
- Wg. Cdr. C.G. Krishna (then CEO, AF Jaisalmer)
- Sqn. Ldr. K.S. Babu
- MWO A.S.R. Murthy
- Sgt. M.S. Bose
- Sgt. Chinna Rao
- Sgt. Y.P. Rao
- Sgt. M.E. Rao
- Sgt. Charry
- Telugu personnel and local community members
A souvenir was printed to raise funds, and contributions flowed in from local residents and devotees.
Financial Support from Andhra Pradesh Government
Wg. Cdr. C.G. Krishna approached the Endowments Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Government for financial aid. With the help of Smt. Aruna (from the Endowment Legal Department and a classmate of Wg. Cdr. Krishna’s wife), an application was successfully submitted. The Commissioner of Endowments advised them to approach the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) with approved architectural drawings and site photos. Thanks to Smt. Aruna’s support, the Commissioner released the first installment of ₹20,000. A second installment was promised upon submission of proof of 30% construction progress.
TTD Support and Idol Donation
TTD extended substantial support, offering the following services free of cost:
- Donation of the Balaji idol (moorti)
- Deployment of Veda Pandits, Sthapatis, and Pujaris
- Provision of necessary materials for temple construction and Kumbhabhishekam
- Assistance in arranging a regular pujari, upon request
The Swamy idol currently worshipped in the temple was donated by TTD. Upon completion of construction, TTD notified the committee to collect the idol from Tirupati. Sgt. M.S. Bose and LAC Sridhar were sent to collect it. Mr. Chakradhar Vadayar, Principal of the College of Architecture (TTD), facilitated the smooth handover and transport of the idol to Chennai.
With the help of AVM N.S. Shastry, then posted in IAF Bangalore, an AN-32 service aircraft was arranged to airlift the idol from Chennai to Jodhpur. The idol arrived in March 1992 and was temporarily placed in a wheat-filled "Dhanyavasamu" (sacred storage box).
Idol Installation and Temple Completion
TTD sent Veda Pandits, Sthapatis, and Pujaris to oversee the idol installation and conduct rituals as per Agama Shastra. The construction was supervised by MWO A.S.R. Murthy, Sgt. M.S. Bose, Sgt. G.N. Rao, and AVM N.S. Shastry.
Since the installation, regular poojas have been performed at the temple by designated priests. The temple has received strong support from local communities, particularly from individuals like the late Wg. S.K. Nanda and Shri C.S. Mukesh Bansal.
Present Day
The existing temple committee continues to perform all rituals with dedication and in accordance with traditional scriptures. The Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple at IAF Jodhpur stands today as a symbol of faith, community effort, and divine grace.
Our Beliefs
Our Community
Our History
At Jodhpur Venkateswara Swamy Temple, we are guided by the sacred teachings of the Vedas and strive to lead our lives in accordance with the timeless principles of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal way of life rooted in Hinduism.
Bharat, our revered land, is widely believed to be pervaded by the divine presence of the Lords — their sacred foot
At Jodhpur Venkateswara Swamy Temple, we are guided by the sacred teachings of the Vedas and strive to lead our lives in accordance with the timeless principles of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal way of life rooted in Hinduism.
Bharat, our revered land, is widely believed to be pervaded by the divine presence of the Lords — their sacred footprints and spiritual vibrations eternally imprinted in the very environment we inhabit. This divine presence is most tangibly experienced in temples, the sanctified structures that stand as living testaments to our ancient and rich spiritual heritage.
Restoration of Earth by Adi Varaha and the Manifestation of Lord Venkateswara
The Great Deluge and the Sinking of Earth
During the passage of eight thousand Yugas — equivalent to a day and night in the life of Brahma, the Creator — a great cosmic fire engulfed the Earth, reducing everything to ashes. Humanity sought refuge in Janaloka, forsaking the Earth.
As Brahma’s night approached, Vayu (the Wind God) unleashed furious winds, followed by the formation of immense clouds and torrential rains. This marked the beginning of the Pralaya Kalpa (the Great Deluge), in which the Earth sank into Patala Loka (the Netherworld), remaining submerged for a thousand years during that cosmic night.
Adi Varaha Rescues Mother Earth
Moved by compassion and divine duty, Sri Maha Vishnu took the form of Adi Varaha—a colossal wild boar—and descended into Patala Loka. There, he engaged in a fierce battle with the demon king Hiranyaksha, vanquished him, and then brought up Bhudevi (Mother Earth) on his mighty tusks, restoring her to safety.
The Devas, sages, and Brahma extolled Adi Varaha’s greatness with Vedic chants, praying for the restoration of Earth. Responding to their pleas, Adi Varaha instructed Brahma to recreate the universe and expressed his intent to reside on Earth to bless and protect all beings.
He then commanded Garuda, his divine vehicle, to bring Kridachala—a sacred mountain from Vaikuntha, encrusted with gems and resembling Adisesha. Garuda placed it east of Swami Pushkarini, where Adi Varaha took his abode inside a glorious Vimana that sparkled with divine brilliance.
When requested by Brahma and the sages to assume a benevolent form, Adi Varaha appeared with four arms, a serene countenance, and adorned with celestial ornaments. He resolved to remain at Venkatadri under a divine Vimana to answer the prayers of devotees, especially those who could not attain salvation through Dhyana Yoga or Karma Yoga.
Contest Between Adisesha and Vayu
In Dwapara Yuga, Vayudeva, the Wind God, once attempted to enter Vaikuntha to pay respects to Lord Vishnu. Adisesha, the gatekeeper, stopped him, leading to a powerful clash between the two divine beings.
To settle the dispute, Lord Vishnu proposed a test: Adisesha was to coil around Ananda Hill, an offshoot of Mount Meru, while Vayudeva would attempt to dislodge it with his mighty winds. The contest shook the cosmos until Brahma and other deities requested Adisesha to yield for the greater good.
Adisesha, in his humility, complied, and as a result, both he and the hill were blown to the Swarnamukhi River's banks. Moved by his sorrow, Brahma promised Adisesha that he would merge with Venkatadri and become the eternal support for Lord Vishnu. Adisesha then transformed into the Seshadri Hills — his hood forming Venkatadri, his body becoming Ahobilam, and his tail extending to Srisailam.
Test of the Divine Trinity by Sage Bhrigu
As Kali Yuga began, Lord Vishnu returned to Vaikuntha. Saddened, Brahma sent Sage Narada to bring the Lord back to Venkatadri. Meanwhile, at the Ganga River, several rishis performed a Yagna but could not decide which of the Trinity — Brahma, Vishnu, or Shiva — deserved the sacrificial fruit. Sage Bhrigu was entrusted to make the choice.
- In Satyaloka, Brahma ignored Bhrigu, immersed in chanting the Vedas and gazing at Saraswati. Offended, Bhrigu left.
- In Kailasa, Shiva, absorbed in divine sport with Parvati, also failed to acknowledge Bhrigu, and anger flared again.
- In Vaikuntha, Lord Vishnu too did not rise immediately. Enraged, Bhrigu kicked him on the chest — the seat of Maha Lakshmi.
Vishnu, with humility and grace, massaged the sage’s foot and asked if he was hurt. Awestruck by Vishnu’s calm and compassion, Bhrigu declared him the most deserving and returned to the rishis.
However, Goddess Lakshmi, angered by the insult, left Vaikuntha and began penance at Karavirapura (Kolhapur). Unable to bear her absence, Vishnu left Vaikuntha and wandered the forests in search of her.
Manifestation of Lord Venkateswara
In his solitude, Lord Vishnu took refuge in an anthill under a tamarind tree beside a Pushkarini on Venkatadri Hill. Taking pity, Brahma and Shiva incarnated as a cow and calf, entrusted to a Chola king by the Sun God, disguised as a herdsman.
Daily, the cow poured her milk over the anthill, nourishing the hidden Lord. Noticing the cow’s lack of milk, the queen reprimanded the herdsman. In his investigation, the cowherd saw the divine scene and, in rage, attempted to strike the cow—but struck the Lord instead. Vishnu emerged, injured, and the cowherd collapsed in shock and died.
The cow returned, bloodstained, and led the king to the anthill. On realizing the truth, the king pleaded forgiveness. Lord Vishnu cursed him to be born as an Asura, but blessed that the curse would lift upon receiving a divine crown from Akasa Raja at the time of the Lord’s marriage.
The cowherd’s soul was granted the divine privilege that his descendants would open the sanctum doors of the Lord’s temple in perpetuity.
Marriage and Transformation into Lord Venkateswara
Lord Vishnu later married Sri Padmavati, the daughter of Akasa Raja. When Goddess Lakshmi learned of this, she came to confront the Lord. Faced with both consorts, Lord Vishnu transformed into a granite idol.
Brahma and Shiva then appeared and revealed the divine purpose: for Vishnu to reside at Venkatadri and uplift humanity in Kali Yuga. Both goddesses accepted this destiny and transformed into idols themselves — Lakshmi residing on the left side of the Lord’s chest, and Padmavati on the right.
Thus, Lord Vishnu took the form of Lord Venkateswara, dwelling eternally on the sacred Seven Hills, blessing devotees and offering solace in the age of darkness.
Our Community
Our Community
Our Community
India is often called the land of spirituality, and at its heart lies Hinduism, the world’s oldest living religion. Deeply embedded in India’s identity, Hinduism shapes not only the spiritual landscape but also the cultural, artistic, and social life of the nation. The Hindu community, with its profound beliefs and timeless traditions, m
India is often called the land of spirituality, and at its heart lies Hinduism, the world’s oldest living religion. Deeply embedded in India’s identity, Hinduism shapes not only the spiritual landscape but also the cultural, artistic, and social life of the nation. The Hindu community, with its profound beliefs and timeless traditions, makes India a sacred and unique place on the world map.
Core Belief System of Hinduism
Hinduism is not a monolithic religion but a vast, inclusive spiritual tradition that embraces diversity in belief and practice. At its core are enduring philosophical ideas:
- Dharma – the path of righteousness, duty, and ethical living
- Karma – the law of moral cause and effect
- Samsara – the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
- Moksha – liberation from the cycle of rebirth, the highest spiritual goal
- Brahman – the universal soul or ultimate reality
- Atman – the inner self or soul, divine in nature
Hindus believe in a cosmic order and see the divine in all aspects of life—humans, animals, nature, and the universe.
Deities and Worship
Hinduism is polytheistic yet deeply monistic—acknowledging many gods and goddesses, yet recognizing all as expressions of one supreme reality.
- Major deities include Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Ganesha.
- Worship (puja) is a daily act of devotion, often performed in homes and temples with offerings, chants, and prayer.
- Pilgrimages to sacred rivers (like the Ganges) and holy sites (like Varanasi, Rameswaram, and Tirupati) are spiritual milestones for many Hindus.
Cultural Presence and Spiritual Heritage
Hinduism is deeply woven into India’s culture, making the country a living tapestry of sacred expression:
- Festivals like Diwali, Holi, Navaratri, and Mahashivratri are more than celebrations—they are spiritual experiences.
- Classical arts—Bharatanatyam dance, Carnatic music, and temple architecture—emerge from devotional traditions.
- Yoga and meditation, gifts of Hindu philosophy, are global movements rooted in Indian soil.
- Sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and Vedas continue to guide moral, philosophical, and spiritual life.
India: A Land Made Sacred by Hinduism
India is not only the birthplace of Hinduism but its spiritual heartland. The country is dotted with sacred rivers, mountains, and ancient temples that continue to pulse with devotion:
- Cities like Varanasi, Haridwar, and Kanchipuram are considered gates to divine realms.
- The Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering on Earth, exemplifies India's deep spiritual consciousness.
- The pluralistic and inclusive nature of Hinduism fosters a culture of tolerance, compassion, and coexistence, making India a beacon of spiritual harmony.
We welcome all members of the Hindu community to come together and worship at Jodhpur Venkateswara Swamy. Join us for events and celebrations throughout the year. The Hindu community, with its eternal philosophy, rich rituals, and spiritual practices, is a foundation of India's unique identity. Through its reverence for life, pursuit of truth, and celebration of the divine in all things, Hinduism makes India a sacred and extraordinary land—a spiritual sanctuary for seekers from across the world.
Jodhpur Venkateswara Swamy Overview
Our Mission
Our Facilities
Our Facilities
At Jodhpur Venkateswara Swamy, our mission is to provide a sacred space for devotees to worship, learn, and connect with each other through the teachings of Sanatana Dharma.
Our Facilities
Our Facilities
Our Facilities
Our temple boasts a beautiful prayer hall, classrooms, and a community center for events. We are committed to maintaining a clean and welcoming environment for all who visit.
Our Services
Our Facilities
Our Services
We offer a wide range of services including daily prayers, spiritual guidance, and educational programs for children and adults. Join us for our weekly satsangs and bhajans.
Discover Jodhpur Venkateswara Swamy Temple
Temple Administration
Explore the stunning architecture and intricate details of Jodhpur Venkateswara Swamy Temple, which is inspired by ancient Hindu temples in India.
Trust Board
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Board Resolution
Engage your children in the Hindu faith and culture through Jodhpur Venkateswara Swamy Temple's youth programs, which include classes, camps, and cultural events.
Administrative committe
Engage your children in the Hindu faith and culture through Jodhpur Venkateswara Swamy Temple's youth programs, which include classes, camps, and cultural events.
Spiritual Teachings
Learn about the core spiritual teachings of Hinduism, which are shared and celebrated at Jodhpur Venkateswara Swamy Temple through various events and programs.
Community Events
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Spiritual Retreats
Find inner peace and rejuvenation at Jodhpur Venkateswara Swamy Temple's spiritual retreats, which offer guided meditation, yoga, and other transformative experiences.
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