Prasanna Shree Keshav Balaji Temple Yakatpur, Ausa, Latur

The Keshav Balaji Temple is situated on a hill on the Ausa-Latur road, on the outskirts of Ausa city. It is a favorite destination for both devotees and tourists. With its scenic surroundings, clean and devotional atmosphere, and a spacious temple reminiscent of South Indian architecture, devotees who visit here find themselves immersed in a different world. Known as ‘Prati-Balaji’ (a replica of Balaji), it is understood that the name ‘Keshav Balaji’ was given in memory of Maharashtra’s former Cooperation Minister Keshavrao Sonawane and a spiritual personality of this region, Maharishi Keshavanand Bapu.

The Keshav Balaji Temple appears to be an exact replica of the original Tirupati Balaji Temple located in the Tirumala hill ranges of Andhra Pradesh. That temple of Venkateswara Balaji is one of the most famous and wealthiest pilgrimage sites in India. Balaji’s devotees are spread across India, and every devotee harbors a desire to have his darshan. However, for various reasons, it is not possible for many to visit his original temple in Andhra Pradesh. For such devotees, ‘Prati-Balaji’ temples have been built in various places. There are many such Balaji temples in Latur district as well; two of them are considered prominent. One is the old Venkateswara Balaji Temple in Latur city, and the other is this newly established Keshav Balaji Temple on the hill in the Ausa area.

This temple was built in 2014 by the ‘Keshav Balaji Devasthan Trust’. The inspiration behind the creation of this temple is believed to be the former Cooperation Minister of Maharashtra, Keshavrao Sonawane, and the spiritual saint Maharishi Keshavanand Bapu. Keshavrao Sonawane (1925-2006) was a veteran politician and an expert lawyer in Maharashtra. Mogarga in Ausa taluka was his native village. He was elected as an MLA a total of four times. He served as the Cooperation Minister in the cabinets of Chief Ministers Yashwantrao Chavan and Vasantrao Naik. He started Asia’s first cooperative oil mill (Dalda factory) in Latur. He also played a major role in the establishment of institutions like the Terna Sugar Factory, Killari Sugar Factory, and Jawahar Spinning Mill. Keshavrao Sonawane and former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh played a significant role in the creation of Latur district from Osmanabad district on August 16, 1982. Throughout his life, he worked for the economic and social upliftment of the people of Ausa and the Latur region. After his passing in 2006, the ‘Shri Keshav Balaji Devasthan Trust’ was established to preserve his memory and pay tribute to his public welfare work, leading to the construction of this temple.

Maharishi Keshavanand Bapu was also an inspiration behind the building of this temple. He was a Siddha Purusha (an enlightened soul) and a great spiritual guru of this region. Although he was not originally from this area, he chose this hill in Ausa for his spiritual work and penance. It is at this very place that the Balaji temple stands majestically today. Bapu’s life was extremely simple and devotional. He spent many years in this area in silent meditation and contemplation of God. Instead of focusing only on rituals, he convinced people of the importance of human service and chanting the Lord’s name. Beside the Keshav Balaji Temple, there is also a temple housing the idol of Maharishi Keshavanand Bapu.
Built on the lines of the famous Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam in Andhra Pradesh, this temple is located slightly away from the main road. The main entrance of the temple is in the South Indian ‘Gopuram’ style. To reach this entrance, one has to pass through a row of shops selling worship materials. After entering through the gateway, one descends about thirty steps to enter the spacious courtyard of the temple. The main Balaji temple is in the center of this well-maintained courtyard. On the right side of the courtyard, there is an auditorium-like structure for devotees to sit. Religious programs are presented here during festivals. On the left side is the Devasthan Trust office and near it is the Yagnashala.

On both sides of the main temple, there are a total of four sub-temples, two on each side. These include the temples of Siddhivinayak Ganpati, Vitthal-Rukmini, Chandramaulishwar Mahadev, and Maharishi Keshavanand Maharaj. In front of the main temple is the ‘Garudadhwaja’, a hallmark of Balaji temples. In the assembly hall (Sabhamandap), in front of the main sanctum, stands the idol of Lord Garuda with folded hands. In this semi-open assembly hall, a disciplined system for darshan queues has been arranged using steel railings.

On both sides of the sanctum entrance, there are large statues of Dwarapalas (gatekeepers). In the center of the sanctum is the beautiful and serene idol of Lord Venkateswara Balaji. Carved from black stone, this idol looks exactly like the one in Tirupati. The idol is adorned with gold ornaments, precious garments, and garlands of flowers. On both sides of the Balaji idol are the idols of Mahalakshmi and Padmavati. According to South Indian tradition, both these consorts are worshipped along with Lord Vishnu. The architecture of all these temples is in the South Indian ‘Dravidian’ style. The tall Gopuram of the temple, the carvings, and the trees planted in various places in the courtyard add to the beauty of the premises. Devotees can partake in the ‘Prasad’ at the Prasadalaya located at the back of the temple.

‘Brahmotsavam’ is the biggest festival in this temple. Just as the Brahmotsavam lasts for nine days in Tirupati, a similar ceremony is organized here. During this period, processions are taken out daily in the morning and evening on various vehicles of the Lord (Garuda, Elephant, Horse, etc.). The festival begins with the hoisting of the flag and concludes with the ‘Chakrasnan’ ritual. ‘Vaikuntha Ekadashi’ (Mukkoti Ekadashi) is considered a very sacred day for devotees. On this day, the ‘Vaikuntha Dwar’ or the Gate of Heaven is created in the temple. It is believed that having darshan of the Lord through this gate on this day grants liberation from the cycle of birth and death. On this occasion, thousands of devotees from Latur and Dharashiv districts gather here from early morning. The temple’s anniversary is celebrated every year on February 22nd. Special Homa-Havan, Abhishekam, and Mahaprasad are organized on this day. Devotees can have darshan of Venkateswara Balaji in this temple daily from 6 AM to 9 PM.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery