Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Sanghi Temple is a beautiful hilltop temple complex of Lord Venkateswara at Sanghi Nagar, about 30 km from the centre of Hyderabad, Telangana. Crowning Paramanand Giri hill, its tall Raja Gopuram can be seen from several kilometres away, and the temple – often described as modelled on the great shrine of Tirumala – has become one of the most popular places of worship and pilgrimage on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
History
The temple was built by the Sanghi family, industrialists whose roots lie in Rajasthan and who made Hyderabad their home. It was built in 1991 under the guidance of the late Shri Ram Sharan Sanghi, with Shri Ravi Sanghi leading the work, and it is managed today by Mrs. Anita Sanghi of the Sanghi family. In a short time it has grown into a much-loved temple for devotees from Hyderabad and beyond.
The Temple Complex
The main shrine is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. Around it on the hilltop stand smaller shrines of Goddess Padmavati, Lord Shiva, Lord Rama, Lord Anjaneya, Lord Ganesha, the Navagrahas, Goddess Ashtalakshmi, Goddess Durga and Lord Kartikeya. Three tall gopurams greet visitors at the foot of the hill, and the temple's design follows the Dravidian tradition of South Indian temples, inspired by the work of the Chola and Chalukya builders. The hilltop also offers wide views over the surrounding countryside.
Festivals
- Vaikuntha Ekadasi – the most important festival for devotees of Lord Venkateswara (usually December–January).
- Ugadi – the Telugu New Year (usually March–April).
- Dasara – celebrated with special worship (usually September–October).
Visitor Information
- Timings: darshan has been listed as about 8:30 am – 10:30 am and 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm; timings can change, so please check locally before visiting.
- The climb: the temple is on a hilltop, reached by road up the hill; wear comfortable footwear for walking around the complex.
- Combine your visit: Ramoji Film City is close by, and many visitors see both on the same day.
- Etiquette: traditional dress is recommended; remove footwear before entering the shrines.
How to Reach
- By Road: Sanghi Nagar is on the Hyderabad–Vijayawada highway side of the city, about 21 km from LB Nagar and about 30 km from central Hyderabad; TGSRTC buses run towards Sanghi Nagar and Ramoji Film City.
- By Train: the nearest major stations are Kacheguda (about 30 km) and Secunderabad (about 35 km).
- By Air: the nearest airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad (Hyderabad), about 37 km away by road.
Other Venkateswara and Hyderabad Temples
Devotees of Lord Venkateswara in Hyderabad also visit the Chilkur Balaji Temple, popularly called the "Visa Balaji", and the Birla Mandir. Also on the eastern side of the city is the Karmanghat Hanuman Temple, and further out is Yadadri (about 67 km).
