TIRUPATI: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams on Wednesday ceremoniously conducted Bhumi Puja for the construction of a replica temple of Tirupati Balaji in Navi Mumbai.
The Tirupati temple trust will spend Rs 75 crore for construction of the temple with support of donor-devotees.
Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde with other cabinet colleagues took part in the Bhumi Puja. Eknath Shinde told reporters later that it was a dream come true for Maharashtrians. "Today is a very memorable day for Maharashtra, as the replica of Tirupati Balaji mandir is being constructed in Navi Mumbai," Shinde said.
Not everybody is fortunate enough to visit Balaji in Tirumala. So the upcoming temple will resolve this longing desire of the people of Maharashtra to have darshan of Sri Balaji Venkateswar in Mumbai itself, the Maharashtra CM added.
Priests and officials from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams conducted Bhumi Puja as per agama shastras. It may be recalled that the TTD trust board resolved to construct a new Balaji temple in Mumbai a few years ago. Last year, the Maharashtra government allocated 10 acres to Tirupati trust for construction of the temple.
After clearing CRZ regulations-related hurdles and obtaining all requisite permissions, the Tirupati trust conducted the foundation stone laying ceremony
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