Balaji Temple, Nandyal
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Nandyal Balaji Temple
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| map_type = India Andhra Pradesh
| map_caption = Location in Andhra Pradesh
| coordinates = {{coord|15.6764025|N|78.4375141|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = India
| state = Andhra Pradesh
| district = Nandyal
| locale = Bilakalaguduru village
| creator =
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| deity = Venkateshvara (Vishnu)
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Nandyal Balaji Temple is a Vishnu temple located in Bilakalaguduru village of Nandyal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.{{cite web |title=JSW Cement Company dedicates Balaji temple in Nandyal |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/jsw-cement-company-dedicates-balaji-temple-in-nandyal-630309 |website=www.thehansindia.com |publisher=The Hans India |access-date=30 April 2023 |language=en}} The main deity of this temple is Venkateswara, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu.{{cite web |author1=Shristi Singha |title=How JSW Cement's Balaji Temple changed the local landscape of a village in Andhra Pradesh |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/andhra-pradesh-village-local-landscape-changed-by-jsw-cements-balaji-tirupati-temple-architecure/ |website=www.architecturaldigest.in |publisher=AD |access-date=30 April 2023 |language=en |date=24 July 2020}}{{cite web |title=Edmund Sumner films black-granite Hindu temple in India |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2020/12/07/edmund-sumner-film-hindu-temple-sameep-padora/ |website=www.dezeen.com |access-date=30 April 2023 |language=en}}
The temple was designed by Sameep Padora and Associates (sP+a).{{cite web |author1=Meghna Meheta |title=Sameep Padora on 'doing more with less' while building the Temple of Steps in India |url=https://www.stirworld.com/see-features-sameep-padora-on-doing-more-with-less-while-building-the-temple-of-steps-in-india |website=www.stirworld.com |publisher=Stir world |access-date=30 April 2023 |language=en |date=1 February 2021}}
Architecture
The ziggurat archetype present in traditional Indian temples was adstracted in the Balaji temple at Nandyala. The temple is constructed of locally sourced black limestone. There is a reservoir adjacent to the temple within the temple premises.{{cite web |author1=James Gabriel Martin |title=A new temple in India is also a water source and community space |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/balaji-temple-black-limestone-temple-india |website=www.lonelyplanet.com |publisher=Lonely Planet |access-date=30 April 2023 |language=en |date=19 Jun 2020}} The reservoir supplies water to the groundwater table. Excess water from a nearby limestone quarry is pumped into the temple reservoir or cistern. Steps from the base of the temple lead down into the depths of the reservoir, allowing devotees to descend and climb in to or from the temple reservoir. The main structure of the temple—shrines of the Hindu deities Balaji and Varahaswamy—is drawn on the motifs of the Tirupathi temple of the same deity.