The Balaji temple in Latur is getting a makeover. Let’s hope it gets ready ASAP..

New look of Balaji Temple

The Hanuman Temple at Bakali (?????) in Shirur Anantpal Taluka has a history of more than 300 years. It is said that 250 Acres of land was donated to this temple by a devotee long ago. The donation included lands at various places in Latur and neighboring Bidar district. However, only 16 acres of land is remaining now with the trust.

In 1766, A muslim Tahsildar in Nizam government provided funds to build up stone gate and Naubatkhana in front of the temple. Later various businessmen from Latur, Nanded and Solapur have provided funds to reconstruct and maintain the temple.

The Manjara river has a pin turn near the temple. Thats the reason the village is called as Bakali. {Pin turn is called as ??? in Marathi}.

The temple is also a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity. For ages, bunch of people from Turukwadi comes to this temple in the month of Moharram.

The temple hosts a 5 day yatra on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. The fair consists of various auspicious activities as well as wrestling games.

The place is around 40 km away from Latur. The route goes via Babhalgao – Gaur – Masalga – Halki – Ujed.

P.S: Women are not allowed inside the main temple.

Hundreds of higher secondary certificate (HSC – Std XII) students, their parents and political activists went on a rampage in Latur on the eve of the HSC board exam results on Wednesday, demanding that the authorities shelve the inquiry being conducted into the alleged mass copying in the English language paper at some centres in Mukhed during the board examinations held in February-March.

More than 2,000 students were being called for the inquiry in phases and as many as 700 students had been summoned on Wednesday. However, most of the 2,000 students turned up on the day.

The rampaging mob pelted stones, damaged furniture and manhandled the HSC board officials and teachers involved in the inquiry, which was being conducted at Rajasthani Vidyalaya.

The board officials called in the police, who arrested three Shiv Sena members and booked 40 unidentified persons.

M R Kadam, chairman of the Latur HSC board, said the incident would have no effect on the schedule of the HSC results which will be declared on Thursday. The results of the students who had allegedly indulged in mass copying have been withheld, he added.