Tourist attraction in Delhi - Birla Mandir (Lakshmi-Narayan Mandir) Temple

Birla Mandir, or Lakshmi-Narayan Mandir, is a famous Hindu temple located in the west part of Connaught Place in Delhi.
One of the most popular tourist’s attractions in Delhi, this temple owns part of its glory to Mahatma Ghandi, Father of the Nation, who inaugurated temple in 1939 but only under one condition – that temple remains open for all people, no matter their religion or caste. His condition was met, and today tourists from all over the world can enjoy its beauty.

History and architecture of Birla Mandir, Delhi

The temple is dedicated to Lakshmi, Hindu Goddess of fortune, wealth, prosperity and wisdom, and her consort Lord Vishnu, Supreme God. It is called Birla Mandir in respect to rich, industrial family Birla who built it during 1933-39.
Birla Mandir is remarkable example of Nagara architectural style with a touch of modern influences. It was built on a high plinth and it faces east, his shikharas rising to the sky, highest of them, the one above sanctum sanctorum being around 55 meters high. 101 pundits were employed for carving the temple idols. The walls are covered with beautiful carvings of mythology scenes. Lakshmi-Narayan Mandir is considered to be Hindu Pantheon, because it has shrines dedicated to almost all Hindu deities. The main chamber, sanctum sanctorum is dedicated to Lakshmi and Vishnu. Other smaller shrines belong to Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Hanuman and holy Vedas, and there is also a shrine dedicated to Lord Buddha, with a lot of marble statues brought from Jaipur, its walls being covered with frescos showing the scenes from his life and work. On the north side of the temple is shrine of Lord Krishna, Geeta Bhawan. The whole temple is surrounded with beautiful landscape and artificial cascades. Backyard of Birla Mandir hides a special surprise for the children – miniature rock temples.

Hindu festivals

Although all Hindu festivals are celebrated in Birla Mandir, the most remarkable ones are definitely Janmashtami and Deepavali.
Janmashtami is a festival that celebrates birth of Lord Krishna and it is one of the most important for Hindu people. It falls in August-September every year, during the peak of rainy season as it is said that Krishna was born during one stormy, rainy night. This festival attracts large crowd to the temple, so if you are planning your Delhi tour during this period, you will be able to take part in the festivities.
Deepavali, also know as Festival of the Light, got its name due to the thousands of small oil lamps that are being lit in every household. Light of the lamps represents victory of good against evil, love and happiness against violence and hate. Although part of the Hindu tradition, this festival is becoming widely accepted from all other religions in India. In case you would like to be part of this festival, it occurs every year, in mid October or November, so you can plan your tour to Delhi in that period.