The Laxminarayan Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Laxminarayan in
Delhi, India. Laxminarayan usually refers to Vishnu, Preserver in the
Trimurti, also known as Narayan, when he is with his consort Lakshmi. The temple,
inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi, was made built by B. R. Birla and Vijay Tyagi
from 1933 and 1939. The side temples are dedicated to Shiva, Krishna and Buddha.
The temple is spread over 7.5 acres, adorned with many shrines, fountains,
and a large garden, and also houses Geeta Bhawan for discourses. The temple
is one of the major attractions of Delhi and attracts thousands of devotees on
the Hindu festivals of Janmashtami and Diwali.
History The construction of temple dedicated to
Laxmi Narayana started in 1933, built by industrialist and philanthropist, Baldeo
Das Birla and his son Jugal Kishore Birla of Birla family, thus, the temple
is also known as Birla Temple. The foundation stone of temple was laid by
Maharaj Udaybhanu Singh. The temple was built under guidance of Pandit
Vishwanath Shastri. The concluding ceremony and Yagna was performed by
Swami Keshwa Nandji. The famous temple is accredited to have been inaugurated
by Mahatma Gandhi in 1939. At that time, Mahatma Gandhi kept a condition that the
temple would not be restricted to the Hindus and people from every caste would
be allowed inside. This is the first of a series of temples
built by the Birlas in many cities of India, which are also often called Birla
Temple. Architecture
Its architect was Sris Chandra Chatterjee, a leading proponent of the
‘Modern Indian Architecture Movement’. The architecture was influenced heavily
by the principles of the Swadeshi movement of the early twentieth century
and the canonical texts used. The movement did not reject the
incorporation of new construction ideas and technologies. Chatterjee extensively
used modern materials in his buildings. The three-storied temple is built in the
northern or Nagara style of Hindu temple architecture. The entire temple is
adorned with carvings depicting the scenes from Hindu theology. More than
hundred skilled artisans from Benares, headed by Acharya Vishvanath Shastri,
carved the icons of the temple. The highest shikhara of the temple above the
sanctum sanctorum is about 160 feet high. The temple faces the east and is
situated on a high plinth. The shrine is adorned with fresco paintings depicting
his life and work. The icons of the temple are in marble brought from
Jaipur. Kota stone from Makarana, Agra, Kota and Jaisalmer were used in the
construction of the temple premises.The Geeta Bhawan to the north of the temple
is dedicated to Lord Krishna. Artificial landscape and cascading waterfalls add
to the beauty of the temple. Temple
The main temple houses statues of Lord Narayan and Hindu Goddess Lakshmi. There
are other small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha and Hanuman.
There is also a shrine dedicated to Lord Buddha. The left side temple shikhar
houses Devi Durga, the Hindu goddess of Shakti, the power. The temple is spread
over an area of 7.5 acres approximately. And built up area is 0.52 acres.
Location The temple is located on the Mandir
Marg, situated west of the Connaught Place in New Delhi. The temple is easily
accessible from the city by local buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws. Nearest Delhi
Metro station is R.K.Ashram Marg, located about 2 km away. Also on the
same road lies the New Delhi Kalibari. Gallery
See also Tourist Attractions in Delhi
References External links
Laxminarayan Temple, Birla Mandir - thedivineindia.com
Laxminarayan Temple Laxminarayan Temple in Wikimapia
Birla Mandir