Delhi Laxminarayan Temple

October 8, 2024

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Delhi Laxminarayan Temple

A timeless representation of Hindu devotion and architectural genius is the Laxminarayan Temple, commonly called Birla Mandir. This temple, which is located in the centre of India’s capital, is a tasteful fusion of history, culture, and religion. The temple, which is devoted to Lord Vishnu (Narayan) and Goddess Lakshmi, draws worshippers and visitors from all over the world because it provides a calm haven in the middle of Delhi’s busy metropolis.

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Main deity: Laxminarayan (Lord Vishnu)
Built by: Baldeo Das Birla and Jugal Kishore Birla
Inaugurated by: Mahatma Gandhi
Commonly known: Birla Mandir

Laxmi Narayan Temple History

The temple by built by the famous industrialist and philanthropist father-son duo of Baldeo Das Birla and Jugal Kishore Birla, under the guidance of Pandit Vishwanath Shastri. They both belong to the well-known business family of India, ‘the Birlas’.

Since Delhi was ruled by the Mughals and other Muslim rulers, there was not any notable temple in Delhi. This was because, like most Muslim rulers, even the Mughals did not permit the construction of any grand temple. The Laxmi Narayan Temple was thus built to fill that void. Spread over 7.5 acres, this temple, was the first large Hindu temple that was built in Delhi.

The foundation stone for the temple was laid in the year 1933 by the Jat Maharaj Uday Bhanu Singh. The temple took 6 years to construct and was opened to the general public in the year 1939. The builders wanted the temple to be inaugurated by the father of the nation, ‘Mahatma Gandhi’. Gandhi, who believed in equality, laid a condition that the temple should be restricted to Hindus of only the so-called ‘upper castes’. He wanted the temple to be open to people of all caste and religions. The Birla family agreed to it, and then the inauguration was done by Gandhiji. Swami Keshavanandji performed the concluding ceremony and ‘yagna’.

Significance of the Laxminarayan Temple (Birla Mandir Delhi)

One of Delhi’s most important religious and cultural sites is the Laxminarayan Temple, often called Birla Mandir. It is a must-visit location for both visitors and devotees because of its spiritual, cultural, and historical significance.

1. Laxmi Narayan Temple’s Spiritual Significance

Devotees seek blessings for health, wealth, and happiness at the temple, which is devoted to Lord Vishnu (Narayan) and Goddess Lakshmi.
In order to foster equality and togetherness, Mahatma Gandhi opened the temple as a symbol of inclusion with the stipulation that it would be accessible to people of all castes and religions.
To meet a variety of spiritual demands, the multi-deity complex has shrines for Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, Goddess Durga, Lord Ganesha, and even Gautam Buddha.

2. Laxminarayan Temple’s Historical and Cultural Significance

As one of the first sizable Hindu temples built in Delhi, the temple was built in 1939 by the Birla family (Baldeo Das Birla and Jugal Kishore Birla), marking an important turning point in the city’s cultural history.
In addition to being a monument to India’s rich religious traditions, the temple represents emancipation from centuries of Mughal and colonial domination and is a landmark of the Hindu cultural rebirth.
Mahatma Gandhi’s opening of the temple emphasizes its function in advancing inclusion and equality.

The architecture & design of the temple

Along with the idols of the main deities Lord Vishnu and Maan Lakshmi, the temple has several sub-shrines and includes idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Maan Durga, Lord Krishna, Gautam Buddha, and Lord Hanuman. In addition to these shrines, the temple complex has a famous hall, called Geeta Bhawan, for conducting discourses. The temple has gardens and fountains along with Hindu & Nationalistic sculptures adorning the temple complex. Since Birlas were involved in its construction, the temple came to be known as Birla Temple. This was the first temple built by Birlas, after which they built many more temples across India.

The architectural design for the temple was prepared by Sris Chandra Chatterjee, the proponent of the Modern Indian Architecture Movement. To a large extent, the architecture of the temple is influenced by the Swadeshi movement of the early 20th century. The canonical texts were also used. The temple construction made use of the use of modern materials, available at that time. The main architectural style used in constructing this three-story temple is the Nagara style of temple architecture.

There are carvings all across the temple, which depict the scenes from ‘swarn-yug’ (golden age) of the Hindu religion and are taken from the various holy texts. Over a hundred skilled artisans from Banaras, under the guidance of Acharya Vishvanath Shastri, carved the icons of the temple. The fresco paintings depicting Shastri’s life and work adorn the shrine. Hindu symbols along with quotes from the Bhagavad Gita and The Upanishads fill the Temple walls.

While the temple faces east, it is situated on a high plinth. Above the sanctum sanctorum, the highest tower (shikhara) of the temple is about 160 feet high. In order to give a giant feel to the tower above the main sanctum, the towers of the adjoining shrines rise only up to 116 feet. While the idols of goddess Lakshmi and Lord Narayan are housed in the main temple, the side temples are dedicated to other deities.

The Geeta Bhawan to the north of the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is adorned with Indian mythological paintings, which depict the scenes of the life of Lord Krishna and other deities. The temple idols were carved out of marble stones brought from Jaipur. Premium Kota stone from Makarana, Agra, Kota and Jaisalmer was also used in the temple premises. The beauty of the temple is further enhanced by artificial landscaping and cascading waterfalls.

Latest Laxminarayan Temple Tourism Trends

There has been a noticeable trend in recent years toward experiential tourism, as tourists look for more all-encompassing experiences that incorporate wellness, spirituality, and cultural immersion. For these travellers who want to participate in religious events, yoga classes, and meditation programs, the Laxminarayan Temple has emerged as a major destination. The growing interest in Indian spirituality and the wellness sector worldwide has fueled this trend.

The temple is now more accessible to both local and foreign visitors because to upgrades including improved signage and tourist information, guided tours, and guest amenities. The Laxminarayan Temple remains a must-visit destination for millions of tourists touring Delhi’s historic and cultural sites as part of larger efforts to boost tourism in the city.

The Top 10 Vegetarian Recipes Travelers Must Try

Kachori with Aloo Sabzi is a spicy lentil-based snack that is served with potato curry on the side.
Chole Bhature: Bhature is a fried bread that is served with a spicy chickpea stew.
Spiced potato patties called aloo tikki are served with a variety of chutneys.
Gol Gappe or Pani Puri are crispy, hollow balls that are filled with potato-pea filling and tart tamarind water.
Dahi Bhalla is a dish of soft lentil dumplings topped with spicy green chutney, sweet tamarind chutney, and creamy yoghurt.
A hearty staple is Rajma Chawal, a curry made with red kidney beans and eaten over steaming rice.
Paneer Tikka: Spice-marinated paneer cubes that are skewered and cooked.
Thali: A tray containing a range of foods, such as rice, pickles, chapati, sabzi (vegetable curry), and dal.
Halwa is a sweet dessert prepared with sugar, ghee, and semolina that is frequently topped with nuts.
Lassi is a sweet or salty, creamy yoghurt-based beverage.

Festivals at Lakshmi Narayan Temple

The temple celebrates two major festivals: Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Krishna, and Diwali, the festival of lights. The entire temple complex is decked out for these auspicious occasions, and people from all walks of life visit to participate in these festivals.

Things you can do, while at Birla Temple:

Take a leisurely walk along the spacious walkways full of sculptures.
Enjoy the gardens and the artificial mountain with a waterfall outside of the temple.
There are miniature rock temples with an entry into a cave-like structure. Children enjoy the same as the caves are embedded with mythological stories of ‘Panch Tantra’.
The Kali-Bari, Delhi (Abode of the Maan Kaali) is also very close to the temple. You may pay a visit there as well.

Best time to visit the temple:

The summer temperatures in Delhi are very high, but during winters the weather is pleasant. So, the best months to visit Delhi are from October to March, though the months of December and January are very cold, and often have fog in the morning.
Best time to visit is during the morning and evening aarti time. The aarti on Friday evening is most special. This is the best time to visit Birla Mandir.
Also the best time to see the temple in its full glory is during festival time- Janmashtami, Diwali and Ram Navmi

How to reach Laxminarayan Temple?

By Train: New Delhi Railway Station is about 3.5 km from the temple. New Delhi is well connected to all the major cities through a rail network.
By Air: Delhi Airport is about 12.5 km from the temple. There are regular flights from all major cities to Delhi.
By Road: Delhi is well-connected to all major cities through a road network. There are bus services available that connect Delhi to major cities. The temple is easily accessible from every part of the city by local buses (both DTC and private buses), taxis and auto-rickshaws.
Within City: The nearest metro station is RK Ashram Metro Station, 1.5 km from the temple.
R. K. Ashram Marg, a station located on the ‘Blue Line’ of Delhi Metro is the nearest Metro station, located at a distance of about 2 km from the temple. You can easily get cycle-rickshaw from here to reach the temple.

The Timings at the Temple:

The Birla Mandir in Delhi opens early morning at 4:30 am. The doors of the temples are closed for darshan, during the afternoon between 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. After this, the devotees can have darshan from 2:30 pm till its closing time, which is 9:00 pm

Important things about Birla Temple:

There is no entry fee to visit the temple.
Mobile phones, cameras and other electronic items are not allowed inside the temple. They are to be kept in the lockers available at the entrance of the temple complex. Lockers are available free of cost.
Though there is no specific dress code, being religious places, people are expected to dress modestly.

FAQ’s

Q 1. What is the Laxminarayan Temple also known as?

Ans. The Laxminarayan Temple is popularly known as Birla Mandir.

Q 2. Who are the main deities of Laxminarayan Temple?

Ans. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Narayan) and Goddess Lakshmi, representing preservation and prosperity.

Q 3. Who built the Laxminarayan Temple?

Ans. The temple was built by the industrialist and philanthropist duo Baldeo Das Birla and Jugal Kishore Birla.

Q 4. When was the Laxminarayan Temple inaugurated?

Ans. The temple was inaugurated in 1939 by Mahatma Gandhi, who emphasized its accessibility to people of all castes and religions.

Q 5. What are the timings of the Laxminarayan Temple?

Ans. The temple is open daily from:

Morning: 4:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Afternoon Break: 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Evening: 2:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Q 6. Is there an entry fee to visit the temple?

Ans. No, there is no entry fee to visit the temple.

Q 7. Are mobile phones and cameras allowed inside the temple?

Ans. No, mobile phones, cameras, and other electronic items are not allowed inside. Free lockers are available at the entrance to store these items securely.

Q 8. What is the nearest metro station to the Laxminarayan Temple?

Ans. The nearest metro station is RK Ashram Marg, located on the Blue Line of the Delhi Metro, about 1.5-2 km from the temple.

Q 9. What are the best times to visit the Laxminarayan Temple?

Morning and Evening Aarti: Aarti times are particularly spiritual and serene, especially on Friday evenings.
Festivals: Visiting during Janmashtami, Diwali, or Ram Navami showcases the temple in its full glory.
Best Season: The best time to visit Delhi and the temple is between October and March, avoiding the extreme heat of summer.