Birla Mandir

Birla Mandir

Birla Temple Fast Facts

• Location- Mandir Marg , Munrika, New Delhi
• Built during- 1933 to1939
• Built by- Baldeo Das Birla (B.D. Birla) under the guidance of Pandit Vishwanath Shastri
• Inauguration- Mahatma Gandhi
• Known as- Laxmi Narayan Temple (Lord Vishnu and his consort Laxmi)
• Dedicated – Lord Shiva
• Architecture Nagara style of Hindu temple architecture
• Important celebrations- Janmashtami and Diwali
• Also known as- Famed Vaisnava place of worship
• Timings- 06.00 am to 10 pm
• Photography- Allowed but prohibited in the main prayer hall.

Birla Mandir Delhi

Strictly speaking, this structure is not part of the New Delhi designed by Lyutens who has creates a significance lives on in Delhi’s architectural landscape. The famous Birla Mandir in Delhi is essentially a Hindu temple which came up alongside with the capital city and has therefore been pegged with it. Popularly known as the Birla Mandir temple, it is the first of the temples built across the country by the industrial family of Birla. Located just off Connaught Place on Mandir Marg, it is dedicated to Vishnu, the second of the Hindu Trinity of creator-preserver-destroyer, and his companion Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.

Birla Mandir history

The temples is certainly one of the most important in India and Birla Mandir history dates back to the time India was fighting for independence from the imperial crown. The construction of this temple started in the year 1933 and it was built by industrialist Baldeo Das Birla and his son Jugal Kishore Birla. The foundation stone of this monument was laid by Maharaja Udhaybhanu Singh who was the Jat ruler of Dholpur. B. D. Birla sought the guidance of Pandit Vishwanath Shastri who able rendered his direction during the construction. The concluding yagna and the dedication of this temple was presided by Swami Keshwa Nandji. Finally this temple was inaugurated at the hands of Mahatma Gandhi. At that time the Mahatma put forward a condition that entry to temple should be not be reserved only for the faithful (Hindus) but must be kept open for individuals who seek God wit true faith and observance.

Spread over 7.5 acres of land, this temple is adorned with many shrines, fountains and a large garden. It also houses the Geeta Bhavan that is place known for discourses. This place of worship is one of the major attractions of the capital city and scores of thousand ascend to the temple on the occasion of Janmashtami and Diwali.

Birla Mandir Temple - The Architectural Brilliance

Undoubtedly an architectural marvel the temple is constructed in Nagara style of architecture. The temple is designed with tall curved towers capped by large amalakas (circular ribbed motif at the summit of a temple tower). The exterior is faced with the white marble and red sandstone typical of Delhi’s Mughal architecture. The interior court is overlooked by two-storey verandahs on three sides. There are gardens and fountains at the rear. The profusion of sculptures, idols, spires and jalis, the Birla Mandir in Delhi is also considered as splendor in terms of its architecture.