About Birla Mandir
Laxminaryan Temple, or Birla Mandir, is a temple located in New Delhi. A need for a Hindu temple arose from industrialists and philanthropists like Jugal Kishore Birla wanting to have a major Hindu temple in the city. In the past, major cities were ruled by the Mughals, who denied the construction of temples with large Shikara during the Mughal period. So to fill that void, Birla built the first major Hindu temple in Delhi in 1939; that’s why it is also known by the name Birla Temple. Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated the temple along with Jugal Kishore in 1939. Being located at a major location, the temple draws devotees during Janmashtami and Diwali. The Birla family, renowned for their philanthropic work, has constructed many temples in other cities like Jaipur, Hyderabad, Benares, etc. Some of these temples are remarkable examples of dual purpose. The temple is designed in such a way that it addresses both modern life and religious sites.
Architecture of Birla Mandir
Spread over an area of 3.5 acres, the temple was designed by Sris Chandra Chatterjee, who was a proponent of the philosophy of using both Swadeshi and modern technology in the construction of the temple. Built from red sandstone and white marble brought from Jaipur and Kota. He hired the famous artisan Acharya Vishvanath Shastri and other laborers to carve the temple’s icons. A storied temple is built in Nagara-style architecture and faces east. Main Sanctum of Temple House Laxmi Narayan ( Avatar of Vishnu) and his consort Goddess Lakshmi
Situated on a plinth, the temple shikhara is 49 meters (160 feet) high from the ground. There are other small shrines dedicated to Shiva, Hanuman, and Durga, the goddess of Shakti. A cascading waterfall and spacious garden adds beauty to the overall scene. There is a notable Geeta Bhawan dedicated to Krishna to the north of the temple.
How to reach Birla Mandir
By road
The temple is situated near the mandir in central Delhi, which is well connected to other parts of the city.
By metro
The nearest metro station is RK Ashram on the Blue Line.