One of the major tourist attractions in New Delhi, Birla Mandir also known as Laxmi Narayan Temple is located in the west of Connaught place.
This beautiful temple was built in the Nagara style of Hindu temple architecture by the industrialist Baldeo Das Birla and Jugal Kishore Birla in 1939. It is one of the first of the many temples built by the Birlas in India. The presiding deities are Lakshmi and Narayana.
Foundation stone was laid by Maharaj Udaybhanu Singh and the temple took shape under the guidance of Pandit Vishwanath Shastri. Architect was Sris Chandra Chatterjee. Birla Mandir was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi and the yagna (fire ceremony) was performed by Swami Keshwa Nandji.
The temple is three storeys high and is built on a high plinth. The main sanctum sanctorum tower is 160 feet high. Three separate shrines are dedicated to Shiva, Krishna, Durga, Ganesha, Haunman, and Buddha. On 7.5 acres of land is the temple built using stones and marble bought from Jaipur, Makarana, Agra, Kota, and Jaisalmer, the temple is beatified by fresco paintings. The other areas have fountains, garden, and a hall for discourses.
Thousands of devotees congregate at Birla Mandir on Diwali and Krishna Janmashtami.
Place Statistics:
Type of place: Temple
Situated: Near Gole Market, Mandir Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Distance: 2 Km from Delhi Metro station R.K.Ashram Marg
Transport: Well connected by road and metro
Facilities: Rest room available
Timings: 4:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
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