Sri Gomantak Tirupati Balaji Temple, Ponda

Just after the Kundaim Insdustrial Estate, at a left turn around a kilometer away, towards Margao leads to one of the temples not yet on the touristic circuit but none the less deserving of all the attention. The winding inner road takes one to a quiet oasis of the Sri Gomantak Tirupati Balaji Temple.

The Balaji temple given the name is of course dedicated to Lord Venkateshawara and Goddess Padmavati. In fact the idols place there were gifted by the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam. The size of the statue quite makes up for the feeling of being at Tirupati but on a smaller scale with much less waiting time. Having visited the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati a couple of years back, this visit was a wonderful throwback to that memory. The temple is also dedicated to Lord Ganesha and a visit is very convenient if one is on the temple route around Ponda.

A very thriving atmosphere at the temple pre-pandemic made it a cultural hub for religious and allied activities, besides having facilities for visiting pilgrims in place. The temple has its own website and can be accessed at https://srigomantaktirupatibalajisaunsthan.com/