January 8th 2007
Today I received in my webmail a card which promised me the gift of good luck. It was a "chain mail".The message attached to the image insisted that I send the card to seven fortunate persons in order to become lucky myself.
so here is the card...
Beneath the photo was an explanation saying that this is a rare photograph of the deity in India called Venkateswara or Balaji
The deity is worshipped in one of India's most famous temples,at a place called Tirupati. I've never visited this temple, nevertheless I already feel fortunate to have received the card.
Here is some information and images of this temple to increase the good fortune of anyone who comes to Gopinatha's site.
Tirupati is in South India, Andra Pradesh
It is one of the most famous temples in India.Daily 50,000 people take the time to visit, and sometimes the temple remains open for twenty hours.
The design is made up of a series of walls [built at different times] around sucessively larger compounds.
Balaji is very auspicious and merciful to the many thousands of pilgrims who visit Him.Throughout the year there are festivals and pilgrims often shave their heads or perform other acts of piety to receive some favor from Him.
Sri Venkateswara is Lord Vishnu and therefore the worship in this temple is very opulent in the mood of Vaikuntha. Here [above] is an old engravers depiction of the architecture and sculpture on the gateway entering the temple.
Well I have work waiting so I must go. I do hope we share good fortune together by feasting your eyes on the wonderful form of Balaji in this rare photograph.
Incidently the last line of the message accompanying the picture warned me not treat this card with neglect. Rather than neglecting the Lord may we pray to always remember Him
and
Always chant His Holy Names.
Hare Krishna
