History

The Laxminarayan Temple (Hindi: , also known as the Birla Mandir) 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 Jugal Kishore Birla[1]
from 1933 and 1939. The side temples are dedicated to Shiva, Krishna and Buddha.[2]
The temple spread over 7.5 acres, is adorned with many shrines, fountains, and a large garden,
and also houses Geeta Bhawan for discources. The temple is one of the major attractions of
Delhi and attracts thousands of devotees on the Hindu festivals of Janmashtami and Diwali.
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.[1] 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.[2][3]
Architecture
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 mythology. 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.[4]
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 (dome) houses Devi Durga, the Hindu
goddess of Shakti, the power. The temple is spread over an area of 7.5 acres (30,000 m2)
approximately. And built up area is 0.52 acres (2,100 m2).