Located in the city of Vellore, Tamil Nadu, the Sripuram Golden Temple is a marvel of architecture and spirituality. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth and prosperity, and is covered with more than 1,500 kg of pure gold. The temple is also known as the Mahalakshmi Temple or the Lakshmi Narayani Temple.
The temple was built and inaugurated by Sri Sakthi Amma, a spiritual leader and philanthropist, in 2007. The temple is part of the Sripuram Spiritual Park, which also includes a meditation hall, a museum, a souvenir shop, and other facilities. The temple attracts thousands of devotees and tourists every day, who come to seek the blessings of the Goddess and admire the beauty and grandeur of the temple.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Sripuram Golden Temple, from its history and architecture to its timings and entry fee, and how to plan your visit with Tripoto. Read on to discover why the Sripuram Golden Temple is a divine destination in Vellore.
Sripuram Golden Temple: History and Architecture
The Sripuram Golden Temple is not just a temple, but a masterpiece of art and engineering. The temple was designed by Sri Sakthi Amma, who envisioned a temple that would reflect the glory and grace of the Goddess Lakshmi. The temple took six years to complete, and involved more than 400 artisans and craftsmen, who worked with gold and other materials to create the temple.
The temple is situated on a 100-acre land, and is surrounded by a star-shaped path, which is about 1.8 km long. The path is lined with trees, flowers, and statues of various Hindu gods and goddesses. The path is designed to symbolize the journey of life, and to prepare the visitors for the darshan (viewing) of the Goddess.
The temple itself is a stunning sight, as it glitters and gleams with gold. The temple is covered with more than 1,500 kg of pure gold, which was donated by devotees and well-wishers. The gold was melted and converted into gold foils, which were then fixed on copper plates that cover the temple. The gold coating is said to last for more than 100 years, and to protect the temple from heat and rain.
The temple has a height of 40.5 meters, a length of 33 meters, and a width of 24 meters. The temple has a gopuram (tower) at the entrance, which is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures of various Hindu deities. The temple also has a vimanam (dome) at the top, which is decorated with gold lotus flowers and peacock feathers.
The main attraction of the temple is the sanctum sanctorum, where the idol of Goddess Lakshmi is installed. The idol is made of stone, and is covered with gold and precious stones. The idol is about 2.5 meters tall, and weighs about 70 kg. The idol is seated on a lotus flower, and is holding a lotus in each of her four hands. The idol is also wearing a crown, a necklace, and earrings, which are studded with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and pearls.
The temple is not only a place of worship, but also a place of learning and enlightenment. The temple has various symbols and messages that convey the teachings and values of Hinduism, such as the importance of truth, love, peace, and service. The temple also has a museum, which displays the history and achievements of Sri Sakthi Amma and the Sripuram Trust, which runs various charitable and social projects in the fields of education, health, environment, and women empowerment.
Sripuram Golden Temple: Timings and Entry Fee
The Sripuram Golden Temple is open to visitors every day, from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm. The temple also conducts various ceremonies and events throughout the day, such as the aarti (ritual offering of fire), the abhishekam (ritual bathing of the idol), and the prasadam (ritual offering of food).
The free darshan allows the visitors to enter the temple and have a darshan of the Goddess from a distance. The special darshan allows the visitors to enter the temple and have a closer darshan of the Goddess, and also receive a prasadam packet. The VIP darshan allows the visitors to enter the temple and have the closest darshan of the Goddess, and also receive a prasadam packet and a photo of the Goddess.
Sripuram Golden Temple: How to Reach and Where to Stay
The Sripuram Golden Temple is located in the city of Vellore, which is about 120 km from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. The temple is easily accessible by various modes of transport, such as bus, train, car, or taxi. Here are some of the ways to reach the temple from different locations:
From Chennai: You can take a bus from the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) or the Koyambedu Bus Stand, which will take you to the Vellore New Bus Stand, which is about 9 km from the temple. You can also take a train from the Chennai Central Railway Station or the Chennai Egmore Railway Station, which will take you to the Katpadi Junction Railway Station, which is about 12 km from the temple. You can also hire a car or a taxi from Chennai, which will take you to the temple in about 2.5 hours, depending on the traffic and road conditions.
From Bangalore: You can take a bus from the Kempegowda Bus Station or the Majestic Bus Stand, which will take you to the Vellore New Bus Stand, which is about 9 km from the temple. You can also take a train from the Bangalore City Railway Station or the Bangalore Cantonment Railway Station, which will take you to the Katpadi Junction Railway Station, which is about 12 km from the temple. You can also hire a car or a taxi from Bangalore, which will take you to the temple in about 4 hours, depending on the traffic and road conditions.
From Vellore: You can take a local bus or an auto-rickshaw from the Vellore New Bus Stand or the Vellore Old Bus Stand, which will take you to the Sripuram Bus Stop, which is about 1 km from the temple. You can also hire a car or a taxi from Vellore, which will take you to the temple in about 15 minutes, depending on the traffic and road conditions.
If you are planning to stay near the temple, you can choose from a variety of hotels, resorts, guest houses, and lodges, that suit your budget and preferences. Some of the best hotels near the temple are Regency Sameera by GRT Hotels, Fortune Park Vellore, Sri Srinivasar Residency and Sri Annamalaiyar Residency.
Sripuram Golden Temple: Other Things to Do and See
The Sripuram Golden Temple is not the only attraction in Vellore. The city has a rich and diverse culture and heritage, and offers many other things to do and see for the visitors. Here are some of the other places to visit and explore in Vellore:
Vellore Fort:
This is one of the most prominent and historic landmarks in Vellore. The fort was built in the 16th century by the Vijayanagara Empire, and later passed on to the Nayaks, the Mughals, the Marathas, the Carnatic Nawabs, the British, and the Indian Army. The fort is a massive and impressive structure, with walls, moats, bastions, and gates. The fort also houses the Jalakandeswarar Temple, the St. John’s Church, the Tipu Mahal, the Hyder Mahal, and the Vellore Fort Museum. The fort is open to visitors every day, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and the entry fee is Rs. 5 per person.
Jalakandeswarar Temple:
This is a beautiful and ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located inside the Vellore Fort. The temple was built in the 14th century by the Vijayanagara Empire, and is known for its exquisite carvings and sculptures. The temple has a gopuram, a mandapam, a sanctum, and a water tank. The temple also has a legend associated with it, which says that once a crocodile lived in the water tank, and guarded the temple from intruders. The temple is open to visitors every day, from 6:30 am to 12:30 pm, and from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
Amirthi Zoological Park:
This is a popular and scenic zoological park, located about 25 km from Vellore. The park was established in 1967, and covers an area of 25 hectares. The park is home to various animals, birds, and reptiles, such as deer, monkeys, peacocks, crocodiles, snakes, etc. The park also has a waterfall, a children’s park, and a picnic spot. The park is open to visitors every day, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and the entry fee is Rs. 10 per person.
Sathuvachari Hills:
This is a picturesque and serene hill station, located about 7 km from Vellore. The hills offer a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside. The hills also have a temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, which is a popular pilgrimage site. The hills are also a good place for trekking, hiking, and camping. The hills are open to visitors every day, from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, and there is no entry fee.
The Sripuram Golden Temple is a divine destination in Vellore, that offers a unique and unforgettable experience for the visitors. The temple is a marvel of architecture and spirituality, that showcases the glory and grace of the Goddess Lakshmi. The temple is also a place of learning and enlightenment, that conveys the teachings and values of Hinduism. The temple is also surrounded by many other attractions and activities, that make Vellore a vibrant and diverse city.
If you are looking for a spiritual and cultural getaway, then you should definitely visit the Sripuram Golden Temple and Vellore.
