Also Known As Lakshmi-Narayan Mandir
¤ Also 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.
