The world famous Hindu temple Birla Temple Delhi is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Shri Vishnu. This temple is famous for its grandeur and structure. The first Hindu temple to accept people of all castes, this grand and beautiful structure dates back to the 20th century. This temple also has idols of various gods and goddesses including Maa Saraswati, Lord Shri Ram, Lord Shiva, Shri Radhakrishna, Shri Venkatesh and Shri Ganesha. It is one of the most important temples of Delhi. Today we will know everything about this famous Birla Temple.
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Birla Temple Delhi
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Built in the 1900s, the grand Lakshmi Narayan Temple is a reminder of India’s independence. Many important national and religious statues and shrines can be found in the Birla Temple. Another name of this temple is Lakshmi Narayan Temple. From the name “Lakshmi Narayan Temple” it becomes clear that this famous Hindu temple is dedicated to the goddess of wealth, Mata Lakshmi and the creator of the universe, Lord Vishnu. Lakshmi Narayan Temple celebrates festivals like Diwali and Janmashtami with great pomp. During this time both local people and tourists visit temples to enjoy the festivities.
A grand 20th century temple that was vandalized by celebrities
In the 20th century, Lakshmi Narayan Temple’s construction began in 1933 and was finished in 1939. Because it was constructed by renowned businessmen Baldev Singh Birla and his son JK Birla, who supported the renowned business conglomerate Birla Group, Lakshmi Narayan Temple is also referred to as the Birla Temple. The Birla Group’s first temple was the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. When Mahatma Gandhi opened this temple, he made sure that individuals from all castes could visit.
Birla Temple Architecture
The Lakshmi Narayan Temple was built in the traditional Nagara manner. This temple is embellished with exquisite and captivating sculptures. This temple is a remarkable example of superb architecture in addition to its religious significance. At the temple’s sanctum sanctorum is a magnificent marble statue of Mother Lakshmi and Lord Shri Vishnu. Shri S. Chandra Chatterjee was the main architect of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. He integrated contemporary materials and technologies with the new concepts and tenets of the Swadeshi movement.
The primary temple of this complex spans an approximate area of 2100 square meters, while the entire complex occupies 7.5 acres. Birla Temple is located on a high platform with its back to the east. At a height of roughly 160 feet, the temple’s highest peak is located above the Garbha Graha. This magnificent, three-story Birla temple is well-known. Jat Maharaj Udaybhanu laid the temple’s foundation stone. Pandit Vishwanath Shastri served as the temple’s architect and master craftsman, bringing together a hundred or so talented Banarasi artists to sculpt the temple’s surrounding symbols.
What makes the Birla Temple unique?
The most unique feature of the Lakshmi Narayan temple is the roughly 160-foot-tall Shikara that is perched atop the sanctum sanctorum and enhances the overall beauty of the structure. This temple is made more beautiful by the numerous man-made waterfalls and landscapes that it contains. The white marble, red stone, and Kota stone that make up the temple complex were brought from Makrana, Agra, Jaisalmer, and Kota.
On the northern side of the temple, there is a Geeta Bhavan devoted to Lord Shri Krishna. The walls of the temple are adorned with scenes from the Golden Age. Under the capable guidance of Acharya Vishwanath Shastri, hundreds of Banaras artisans constructed this temple. One of the well-known pioneers of the modern Indian architectural movement, Shri S. Chandra Chatterjee, was the main architect of this temple. This temple faces east, which makes it appear exquisite at dawn. This temple has some incredible frescoes as well. There are side temples at the temple dedicated to Lord Buddha, Lord Shiva, Shri Krishna, and Maa Durga in addition to the main temple.
Birla Temple entry timings
In Lakshmi Narayan Temple, devotees and tourists start entering the temple from 4:30 in the morning and the doors of the temple are closed at 1:30 in the afternoon. After that, the doors of the temple are opened again from 2:30 and the temple remains open for tourists and devotees till 9:00 pm.
How to reach Birla Temple
Lakshmi Narayan Temple is located on the western ‘Mandir Marg’ at a place called Connaught Place in New Delhi. This temple is well connected by various resources. The following means can be used to reach the temple:
By road
You can reach Delhi by any means from different parts of the country. From here, you can easily reach Lakshmi Narayan Temple by Delhi Transport buses, autorickshaws, or private taxis.
By metro
One can also reach Lakshmi Narayan Temple by Delhi Metro. The nearest metro station to the temple is ‘RK Ashram Marg Metro Station’. The temple is located at a distance of about 2 kilometers from here. From where you can reach by auto taxi or on foot.
By rail
New Delhi can be reached from various railway stations in the country. From the railway station in Delhi, you can reach Birla Mandir by Delhi Transport buses, private taxis, autos, or metros.
By airplane
You can reach Delhi Airport from various main airports of the country. From here you can reach Lakshmi Narayan Temple by Delhi Transport buses, private taxi, metro or auto.
Additional FAQs
Q. What is the history of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple?
Ans. Lakshmi Narayan Temple is a world famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Mother Lakshmi. The construction of this temple started in 1933 by the famous industrialist Baldev Das Birla of the Birla Group and his son Jugal Kishore Birla, hence this temple is also known as Birla Temple. The foundation stone of the temple was laid by Jat Maharaj Uday Bhanu and the architecture of this temple was made by Shri S Chandra Chatterjee. The exquisite carvings on the walls of the temple were done by hundreds of artisans of Banaras under the able leadership of Acharya Vishwanath Shastri who put together their art to carve the symbols around the temple. This symbol is made of marble stone.
Q. Which metro station is near Lakshmi Narayan Temple?
Ans. The nearest Delhi Metro station near Lakshmi Narayan Temple is RK Ashram Marg Metro Station, which is located at a distance of about 2 kilometers from the temple.
Q.Why is Birla Temple famous?
Ans. Birla Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to the preserver of the world, ‘Lord Vishnu’, and the goddess of wealth, ‘Maa Lakshmi’. There are also temples of other gods and goddesses like Lord Shiva, Shri Ganesh, Mata Saraswati, Shri Hanuman ji, Lord Brahma, Maa Durga, etc. in the Birla temple complex. The temple complex also has a shrine dedicated to Buddha, which displays murals describing his life.
Q. Where is Laxminarayan Temple situated?
Ans. Lakshmi Narayan Temple is located on ‘Mandir Marg’, west of Connaught Place, in the union state of New Delhi, India. Lakshmi Narayan Temple is one of the oldest temples located in Delhi.