About Birla Temple:
Birla Mandir in Delhi, also known as Laxmi Narayan Temple, was built by industrialist G. D. Birla and inaugurated in 1938 by Mahatma Gandhi. This is one of the first temples allowing entry to people of any faith, religion or cast for worship. The temple is constructed in Orissa style of architecture with red sandstone and white marble used at strategic places. The temple’s presiding deities are Lakshmi-Narayan. Durga, Ganesha, Hanuman and Shiva are the other major deities gracing the place. Birla Mandir in Delhi is situated on Mandir Marg near Connaught Place and only 4 kms from New Delhi Railway Station. The Birla Mandir in Delhi also has a small sub temple dedicated to Lord Buddha and it is decorated with frescoes themed with scenes from his life, just like the Ajanta and Ellora caves. A wall the Birla Mandir in Delhi has a first person inscription that on 27 May 1942 a man called Krishna Pal Sharma turned 11.66 grams of mercury into 11.66 grams of gold in full view of four very prominent witness. Performing similar feat, 18 kg mercury turned gold was donated to the temple. Birla Mandir DelhiThe highest tower in the temple reaches the height of 165 feet while the ancillary towers reach 116 feet. The temple has influences of modern architecture. The whole temple is adorned with carvings depicting stories from the Hindu mythology. The white marble used in the temple was brought from Jaipur. Kota stone brought from Makarana, Agra and Jaislamer were also used in the temple construction. The idols of the temple were carved by 101 skilled craftsmen from Benaras, headed by Acharya Vishvanath Shastri. The highest tower of the temple soars 165 feet high, while the ancillary towers are 116 feet high. The east facing temple is situated on a high plinth which leads to the ‘Garbha Griha’ or the sanctum sanctorum. The Geeta Bhawan is an exhibition hall cum shrine in the northern side of Birla Mandir. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna and decorated with paintings depicting scenes from Indian Mythology on the rear end of the hall. There are many gardens, miniature temples and fountains in the temple complex. Accommodation in the form of a rest house is available for out of town travelers, especially for international scholars pursuing knowledge in Sanskrit or in the Hindu religion. A canteen is also located in the temple premises.
General Information about Birla Temple:
Location: Delhi
State: (Delhi) Union Territory of INDIA
Capital: Delhi is the capital of INDIA
Language: Hindi, English
Temperature: Max 45˚C, Min 27˚C (summer), Max 20˚C, Min 5˚C (winter)
Best Season: September to February
How to Reach Birla Temple:
By Air:
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is connected to all the important cities of the world with almost all the major international airlines operating out of here. Palam Domestic Airport connects Delhi to the major cities in India.
By Rail:
The Indian Railway with their modern and organized network connects Delhi to all major and minor destinations in India. The city has three major railway stations at New Delhi, Old Delhi, and Nizamuddin.
By Road:
Delhi is well connected to all the major cities of India by a network of highways and roads. Buses can be taken from the three Inter State Bus Terminuses (ISBT), at Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar, as well as many starting points in and around the city, from which various state-managed and privately run transport facilities like air-conditioned, deluxe and ordinary coaches operate.