The First Birla Mandir of India
"People from all castes should be allowed to enter the temple." With this condition, Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated the iconic Birla Temple on 18th March 1939, also known as the Lakshmi Narayana Temple. Situated in Delhi, this temple holds significant historical and religious importance, representing the ethos of inclusivity. Spread across 7.5 acres, the Birla Temple is the very first temple among the series of temples constructed by the renowned Birla family across North India. Initiated by industrialist and philanthropist Baldeo Das Birla, along with his son Jugal Kishore Birla, the foundation stone was laid on 26th March 1933. The temple's architecture was guided by eminent scholar Pandit Vishwanath Shastri and architect Sri Chandra Chatterjee, a leading figure of the "Modern Indian Architecture Movement." Embracing the Nagara style of temple architecture, its towering shikhara of the sanctum sanctorum rises approximately 160 feet high. Facing eastward on a raise