History:
The Motibagh Shri Skanda Samaj was formed by a group of railway employees of Nagpur and was inaugurated on the 30th Oct. 1967 by His Holiness Sri Dwarka Shankaracharya. As the name suggests, the Samaj was formed by devout worshippers of Lord Skanda or Muruga or Kartikeya. They started celebrating Skanda Sashti, Panguni Uttiram and Vaikasi Vishakam annually with much fervour. With each passing year the celebrations grew in size, which ultimately culminated in taking up the challenging task of building a temple in the year 1986.
The Samaj identified the calm and serene area of Seminary Hills to build the temple. At that time Sri Bharadwaj Swamiji was taking care of small temples of Sri Sheetalamata and Sri Durga in the area. On his request the samaj decided to build their temple on that plot and also take over the existing temples of the Goddesses.
On 28th Oct 1987 the construction of the Balaji-Kartikeya Temple began and was completed in 1991. It was inaugurated in Oct 1991 which incidentally coincided with the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Samaj. Gold plated Kalashs were installed on the gopuram. On 21st Oct 1991 the consecration of the idols took place. Surprisingly Sri Vel, the weapon of Lord Kartikeya is the presiding deity of this temple.
In 2003 the construction of Rajagopuram started. Simultaneously in 2004 construction of Ayyanar temple began. The renovation of existing temples was also taken up. Gold Plated Teakwood Dhwajasthambas were made for Sri Balaji and Sri Kartikeya.
On 31st Oct 2004 Nutana Rajagopuram Mahakumbhabhisheka (Inauguration of Rajagopuram) and Jeernodharana Ashthabandhana Kumbhabhisheka (existing temples) were performed. This rare 3 day event was witnessed by a large number of devotees.
The Rajagopuram stands at a height of 62 feet with 5 dwaras and 7 gold plated Kalashs. The doors of the gopuram are made of teak wood and reach a height of 18.5 ft. A Temple for Sri Padmavati (Consort of Sri Balaji) was built and consecrated in Oct 2005. The Complex now has temples of Sri Balaji, Sri Kartikeya, Sri Ganesha, Sri Sheetalamata, Sri Durga, Sri Shiva, Navagraha, Sri Padmavati, Sri Hanuman, Sri Aiyanar and Sri Sarparaja.
About the Temple:
On 28th Oct 1987 the construction of the Balaji-Kartikeya Temple began and was completed in 1991. It was inaugurated in Oct 1991 which incidentally coincided with the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Samaj. Gold plated Kalashs were installed on the gopuram. On 21st Oct 1991 the consecration of the idols took place. Surprisingly Sri Vel, the weapon of Lord Kartikeya is the presiding deity of this temple.
In 2003 the construction of Rajagopuram started. Simultaneously in 2004 construction of Ayyanar temple began. The renovation of existing temples was also taken up. Gold Plated Teakwood Dhwajasthambas were made for Sri Balaji and Sri Kartikeya.
On 31st Oct 2004 Nutana Rajagopuram Mahakumbhabhisheka (Inauguration of Rajagopuram) and Jeernodharana Ashthabandhana Kumbhabhisheka (existing temples) were performed. This rare 3 day event was witnessed by a large number of devotees.
The Rajagopuram stands at a height of 62 feet with 5 dwaras and 7 gold plated Kalashs. The doors of the gopuram are made of teak wood and reach a height of 18.5 ft. A Temple for Sri Padmavati (Consort of Sri Balaji) was built and consecrated in Oct 2005. The Complex now has temples of Sri Balaji, Sri Kartikeya, Sri Ganesha, Sri Sheetalamata, Sri Durga, Sri Shiva, Navagraha, Sri Padmavati, Sri Hanuman, Sri Aiyanar and Sri Sarparaja.
About the Temple:
There is a unique blend of Architectural Styles of the North and the South. While the imposing Rajagopuram is remniscent of the South Indian temples, the well ventilated halls are typical of modern day North Indian temples. This synergy brings together people belonging to various states across India who are in search of religious and spiritual solace.
The temple which is situated on 5000 sq. metres of land also houses a Vedic Pathshala, Residential Quarters for Priests and a Community Hall. The Hall is available to the public at a nominal rent for performing small functions like Upanayana (Thread Ceremony) or Engagement Ceremony.
This is also the only Shiva-Vishnu Temple in the State of Maharashtra. Abhishekas and Archanas are performed daily in strict accordance with Agama Shastras and as laid down in our ancient scriptures. Devotees can take part in the Daily/ Weekly/ Monthly/ Periodical or Annual Sevas organized by the Samaj.
The Annual Festival of Brahmotsavam to Sri Balaji is held in October every year to coincide with the Annual Day on Oct 21st. The week long festival draws devotees from across Nagpur. The Festival of Skanda Sashti for Sri Kartikeya is also celebrated for a week beginning from the day of Diwali. During these two festivals, the Samaj organizes various cultural and religious programs in the evenings like Classical Music Concerts, Bhajans, Religious Discourses etc. This temple is fast becoming the centre of religious, cultural and spiritual activities of the people of Nagpur.
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