If you are planning a trip to Delhi, don’t forget to visit the Birla Mandir. This temple is also known as Laxminarayan temple. This temple is one of the largest Hindu temples in Delhi. It is also a famous tourist spot. Birla Mandir in Delhi is one of the very few Hindu temples that allows people from all the castes to visit.
The Lakshminarayan temple is a Hindu temple located in Delhi, India. Lakshminarayan is the manifestation of Lord Vishnu when he is with his consort, Goddess Lakshmi. Industrialist Baleo Das Birla and his son Jugal Kishore Birla built this temple. The construction began in the year 1933 and it went on till 1939. It is one of the largest Hindu temples in Delhi. Since the Birla family initiated the construction of the temple, it got the name Birla Mandir. Lord Vishnu is the main deity of the temple. Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna and Buddha have separate shrines dedicated to them.
Birla Mandir History
The construction of the Birla Mandir dedicated to Lord Laxminarayan began during the year 1933. The philanthropist and industrialist Baleo Das Birla and his son Jugal Kishore Birla built the temple, thus giving the temple its name. Maharaj Udayabhanu Singh laid the foundation stone of the temple. The construction took place under the guidance of Pandit Vishwanath Shastri. Swami Keshwa Nandji performed the concluding yagna for the temple. Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated the temple in the year 1939. He believed that the temple should be accessible to people from all castes and not just upper-caste Hindus. This is one of the first temples built by the Birla family across various cities in India.
Architecture
The Birla Mandir holds not just religious importance but is also an architectural wonder. This temple’s architect, Sris Chandra Chatterjee was also one of the most prominent leaders of modern Indian architecture movement. One can see the usage of canonical texts in the temple. The architecture of the temple draws inspiration from the Swadeshi movement. While keeping its religious and national importance intact while building the temple, Chatterjee extensively used modern technologies and techniques to create the monument.
This three-storied temple is built in the Nagara style of architecture. The entire temple has sculptures and carvings that depict the golden yuga. Hundreds of skilled artisans from Benaras, headed by Acharya Vishwanath Shastri, carved the icons around the temple. The highest shikhara above the temple’s sanctum sanctorum is about 160 feet high. The temple faces the east and is located on a high plinth. The icons in the temple were carved out of marble stones that were sourced from Jaipur. Kota stones sourced from Agra, Makarana, Jaisalmer and Kota were also used in the temple premises. The Geetha Bhawan situated towards the north of the temple is a shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Inside the Birla Temple
The temple houses the main deities, Lord Narayan and his consort, Goddess Lakshmi. There are other shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, Lord Ganesha, Lord Buddha and Lord Hanuman. The left side of the temple Shikhara houses Maa Durga. The temple spreads over an area of 7.5 acres.
Birla Mandir Delhi Timings
Birla Mandir opens at 4:30 AM and it is open until 1:30 PM. It opens again at 2:30 PM and it closes at 9:00 PM. There is no entry fee at Birla Mandir Delhi.
Facts about Birla Mandir
- Mobile phones, cameras, laptops and other electronic items should be submitted at the temple entrance. Free lockers are available to store these items.
- Birla temple is at its best during Janmashtami, Diwali and Ram Navami as the temple will be elaborately decorated.
- There is no entry fee to enter the temple.
How To Reach Birla Mandir Delhi
Birla Mandir is located on Mandir Marg, towards the west of Connaught Place in Delhi. The nearest airport is Indira Gandhi Airport that is 23 km away from Central Delhi. If you are travelling by train, the New Delhi Railway station is about 5 km away from Connaught Place. Buses from major cities in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are frequent. If you want to travel within Delhi from the Birla Mandir, you can travel by the metro train. The nearest metro station to Birla Mandir is the RK Ashram Marg metro station.
Important Tourist Destinations Near Birla Temple Delhi
- Kali Bari Temple
- Jantar Mantar: This equinoctial sundial monument consists of around 13 architectural astronomy instruments.
- Akshardham: it is a Hindu temple and is also a spiritual-cultural complex in Delhi.
- Red Fort: This historical fort was the main residence of Mughal emperors for nearly 200 years. It is located in the centre of Delhi.
Best Hotels To Stay Near Birla Mandir
- The Metropolitan Hotel and Spa
- Radisson Blu Marina Hotel
- Hotel Blue Bell
- Hotel Grand Imperial
Do make sure to include the Birla Mandir Delhi in your itinerary when you visit Delhi. The best time to visit Birla Mandir in Delhi is during Janmashtami and Diwali when there will be beautiful decorations and grand celebrations. The temple is one of the major tourist attractions in Delhi with thousands of devotees visiting it.
