Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 14,014

Date uploaded in Sydney, Australia – 24 DECEMBER 2024 .            

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx  

My Visit to Sri Venkateswara Temple at Helensburgh, New South Wales, Australia

This temple is one hour drive from Sydney. 58 min (54.7 km) via Princes Hwy/A1 and M1

We went to the temple on 23-12-2024 and had good Darshan of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in two shrines adjacent to each other. Temple is well maintained; photography inside the temple is not allowed which is very good; all temples must follow this. Siva has goddess Tripurasundari in the nearby shrine ,so do Vishnu has Mahalakshmi near by. All Hindu Gods from Ganesh to Hanuman, Skanda/Muruga are worshipped. We saw six priests serving the devotees with Vibhuti, Kunkum and Theertham (holy water). They welcomed everyone. Behind the temple was a canteen run by the temple. We paid and got Curd rice, Samaosa and vegetable rolls. All soft drinks such as rose milk, mango lassi coffee tea etc. are available. Spacious car park is there. We saw constant flow of devotees that included Tamils, North Indians, Nepalis, few white people. 100 percent recommended. People in our group put money in the Hundi/money box.

Main shrines have Shiva in Linga form and Vishnu in Tirupati Balaji form.

(Free Prasadam was also kept in the outside Prakara (open corridor; we did not go there).

Special parking slot was there for Car Puja; I understand those who buy new cars come here and  do this puja with the help pf the temple priests.

We saw places to break coconuts like we have in all Ganesh temples in Tamil Nadu

Temple Address

1 Temple Road, Helensburgh, NSW, Australia, New South Wales

(02) 4214 9080

contactus@svtsydney.org

Three families in three cars with grandchildren visited the temple after a three day stay in Shell Cove (Shell Harbour). Three we hired a six bed room house with three bath rooms and plenty of space in kitchen, reception and garden.

The temple has got many sculptures showing Vishnu Avatars and Shiva leelas; it gives good opportunity to children to learn more about Hindu mythology. Navagraha (Nine Heavenly Bodies) shrine described the significance of those on the walls nearby. 63 Nayanmar statues, Nalvar statues are also there. My grandchildren asked questions about all the big statues. so it is good to go with enough information and stories for children.

Temple authorities also can produce small brochures to explain statues all briefly.

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Another Place to visit

Nan Tien Buddha Temple

When one goes to see Venkateswara Temple, it is better to include Nan Tien Buddhist temple with huge temple complex and beautiful and colorful Buddha states. During my Australian visit ten years ago, we went there. Since it is closed on Mondays we could not visit it on 23^rd December, 2024. Better to check the opening hours of all places you visit before you travel. Good Vegetarian meal is sold there in the huge canteen. It is approximately 90 Kms from Sydney.

1h 24m (89.4 km)

via Princes Hwy/A1 and M1

-subham—

Tags- My visit, Venkateswara Temple, Helensburg, Australia