Laxminarayan Mandir

Laxminarayan Mandir is one of the major temples and landmarks of Delhi. During 1933-39, Laxmi Narayan Temple was built by Mr. B.D. Birla of Birla Group of Industries, one of the famous business tycoons of India. Being constructed by the Birlas, the temple came to be known as Birla Temple. Located on Mandir Marg near Connaught Circus in Delhi, the temple is easily accessible from the city by metro, local buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws. 

Birla Mandir is first of the temples made by Birlas across the country and till date, the funds to support this temple come from Birla family. The famous temple is accredited to have been inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1939. At that time, Mahatma Gandhi kept a condition that the temple would not be restricted to the Hindus and people from every caste would be allowed inside. In those times, the condition was really worked upon; still people visit this temple with full devotion.Lakshmi Narayan Temple (BIRLA MANADIR)

Location : West Of Connaught Place, Mandir Marg, Central Delhi 
Also Known As : Birla Mandir 
Built In: 1933-1939 
Presiding Deity : Lord Vishnu

This temple was build by G. D. Birla in 1938. This beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of prosperity and good fortune. The temple has well grafted gardens. It is also known as the Birla Mandir.

Completed in 1998, this is a complex of temples. Built on a hilly place this temple is dedicated to the Lord Krishna and was built by the Hare-Rama Hare- Krishna cult followers. This complex is elegantly build and is one of the largest temple complexes in India. Currently the main attractions of the temple are the Robort who enact and preach the Gita. Other shrines in the temple: Durga and Shiva are the other major deities housed in this temple. Mention must be made of the Buddha temple in this complex. Access and Accommodation: Accomodation is available in the temple guest house for out of town travellers especially for international scholars pursuing knowledge in Sanskrit or in the Hindu religion.

The Laxmi Narayana Temple is the popular name for the Birla Temple in Delhi. Birla Temple is a modern Hindu temple of Laxmi and Narayana. Birla temple was founded by Mahatma Gandhi with the faith that it should be open to all castes and all devotions. Hence, here you do not find unfairness of any kind. All are welcome to this place which has been dedicated to the civilization. The Geeta Bhavan in the Birla Temple (Laxmi Narayana Temple) has beautiful paintings represent events from Indian mythology. There is a Mandir within the complex housing Lord Buddha. The whole complex, particularly the walls and the upper porch are decorated with paintings done by artists from Jaipur. These are amazing and they reflect the wealthy cultural tradition of the Rajasthani Paintings. The background of the Birla Temple has been considered as a mountainous landscape with origins as well as waterfalls. This definitely enhances the artistic beauty of the complex itself.

Birla Temple (Laxmi Narayana Temple) is one of the best tourist attractions in New Delhi. Birla Mandir was constructed in the 20th century by the Birlas, a family known for their Temples in India. It is modern in design and construction. It depicts numerous devotees and foreign tourists.

The Birla Temple is a landmark in the history of modern Indian architecture. One must not miss this site while on a tour to Delhi.

History
This temple was built over a six year period (1933 - 1939) and was opened by Mahatma Gandhi. Architecture: The highest tower in the temple reaches a height of 165 feet while the ancillary towers reach 116 feet. The Geeta Bhavan, a hall is adorned with beautiful paintings depicting scenes from Indian mythology. There is also a temple dedicated to Buddha in this complex with fresco paintings describing his life and work. The entire complex, especially the walls and the upper gallery are full of paintings carried out by artists from Jaipur in Rajasthan. The rear of the temple has been developed as an artificial mountainous landscape with fountains and waterfalls. Architectural Splendour Built in Orissan style, the highest tower in the temple reaches a height of 165ft, while the ancillary towers reach 116ft.

The Geeta Bhavan, a hall adorned with beautiful paintings depicting scenes from Indian mythology. There is also a temple dedicated to Buddha in this complex with fresco paintings describing his life and work. The entire complex, especially the walls and the upper gallery are full of paintings carried out by artists from Jaipur in Rajasthan. The rear of the temple has been developed as an artificial mountainous landscape with fountains and waterfalls.

The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated here with much goodwill and cheer. 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. For many foreign tourists, this is the place in India where they are confronted with the incongrogous sight of multiple 'swastikas'.

The original meaning of the sign, an ancient Aryan symbol of the striving for perfection, as explained on one wall. Other Shrines In The Temple Complex Durga and Shiva are the other major deities housed in this temple. Mention must be made of the Buddha temple in this complex.

PLACES TO STAY
Accommodation is available in the temple guesthouse for out of town travellers especially for international scholars pursuing knowledge in Sanskrit or in the Hindu religion.

Laxminarayan Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver and his consort, Goddess Lakshmi. The architecture of the Temple looks imbibed from the Orissan Style. The temple has tall spires and it looks magnificent raised in red sandstone. The tallest spire of the temple extends to the height of 165 feet whereas the additional spires lengthen to 116 feet. The exotic structure of the temple comprises sculptures, tall spires and Jali work making it a remarkable to behold. 

Apart from the idol of presiding deity, the temple has remarkable idols of Goddess Durga, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman. Geeta Bhawan is a huge hall that is embellished with striking paintings, derived from the scenes of Indian mythology. On the rear end, one can trace gardens and fountains in the temple complex. The two-storied verandahs, on the three sides, are overlooked by the interior court. 

For tourists, temple authorities have made adequate arrangements of guest house in its complex. Many International scholars come here to learn about the Hindu religion and for the time, they usually stay in the guest house of Birla Temple. Every year, Janmashtami (birthday of Lord Krishna) is celebrated with full gusto and fervor in this temple. In fact, Birla Mandir is famous for its celebration of Janmashtami. People in large number come to visit this temple of spiritual legacy.Lakshmi-Narayan MandirAlso Known As Birla Mandir

Strictly speaking, this structure is not part of the New Delhi Lutyens designed. Famous Birla Mandir in Delhi is essentially a Hindu temple which came up alongside with New Delhi and has therefore been pegged with it. Popularly known as the Birla Mandir, 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 consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.

The Most Important Temples of Hindus 

Built in 1938, famous Birla Mandir in Delhi was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Indian Nation) on the express condition that people of all castes and especially untouchables would be allowed in. (Refer to section People). Consequently a plaque at the gate reiterates that people of all faiths and classes are welcome. Till date, it remains one of the most popular temples in Delhi.

The Architectural Brilliance of The Birla Mandir (Temple)

Birla Mandir is also famous for the festival of Janmashtami (birth of the Hindu deity Krishna). The festival is celebrated here with much goodwill and cheer.

The temple is designed in the Orissan style, 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.

Experience Beauty And Divinity Melt In The Heart of Stones

The architecture is amazing. Built in the Nagara style of architecture interspersed with modern influences, the Birla Mandir awakes from the womb of lush green Link Road reigning the whole terrain. The temple faces the east and is adorned with exquisite carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. The other awe-inspiring thing is apparently the soaring spires of the shrine. You will be amazed to see the main spire (shikhara), nestling above the sanctum sanctorum, soaring with its head high at almost 160 ft. Enjoy a leisure walk through the spacious corridors and you will be overwhelmed to see such beautiful friezes and artistic sculptures that only add to the aesthetic beauty of this temple. Do you know that 101 skilled pundits from Varanasi, headed by Acharya Vishvanath Shastri, were employed to create this magic in stones. Remember to visit the Buddha shrine, the rippleless walls embellished with fresco paintings depicting the Lord's life and work. Children can also enjoy their hearts out at the miniature rock temples nestling at the backyard of the temple. There is also an arena said to be the erstwhile gym of Bhima, the second Pandava of the Mahabharata fame. An artificial landscape complete with mountains and cascading waterfalls makes for a perfect solitude.

This temple was built over a six-year period (1933 – 1939) and was opened by Mahatma Gandhi. Birla Mandir is a temple of Lord Krishna and Radha. The temple is located at a quite place and serene. During Deepawali, the whole temple is trimmed with multi-hued lights that create a magnificent spell in the heart of every tourist. There are other small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman and Lord Buddha. Krishna Janmashtami and Deepawali are the two major festivals that attract huge crowds to the temple.Lakshmi Narayan Temple of Delhi is one of major temples and a major tourist attraction. The highest tower in the temple reaches to a height of 165ft. The temple spread over 7.5 acres and is embellished with many shrines, large gardens and Gita Bhawan. The architecture of its red color building gets immense peace. Birla Mandir is one of the oldest temple dedicated to goddess Laxmi & Narayan in Delhi. The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated here with much goodwill and cheer.