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 raised plinth, 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 sanctum sanctorum enshrines the beautiful marble icon of Narayana with this consort Lakshmi. Narayana is in the standing posture and has four arms. Holding discus and conch in his two upper arms, he holds gadha and lotus in his lower arms. The lotus is facing downwards. Lakshmi is depicted with two arms. Her left arm holds the lotus facing the ground. A set of metal images of Lakshmi and Narayana are also kept in the same shrine. Outside the shrine, the colorful stucco image of Saraswati and Narada Rishi are seen.

To the true right side of the main shrine, a four armed Durga seated on a lion is seen. On further right, there is an eight armed Durga seated on a tiger is found in a separate shrine. Outside her shrine, the stucco images of Bhairava and Kali are seen.

To the true left side of the main shrine, a sub-shrine has the marble image of Shiva in meditation. He is depicted with two arms. A small Linga, Uma and Nandi are also seen in the same shrine. Outside the shrine the stucco images of Kartikeya and Veerabhahu are seen.

The interior of the temple is a treasure trove of small carvings and frescoes depicting scenes from Indian history and Puranas. Figures such as Manu, Shivaji Maharaja, Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya, Ramdas, Guru Nanak, Avatars of Vishnu and characters from the Mahabharata adorn the walls.

Diagonally opposite to the main shrine, sub-shrines dedicated to Hanuman and Ganesha are found. Ganesha, holding a discus and an axe, presides in one of these sub-shrines.

Towards the left-hand side of the temple, Gita Bhavan stands, housing a large image of Krishna with a discus in his right arm. Flanked by smaller icons of Radha-Krishna and Rama-Sita-Lakshmana-Hanuman, Gita Bhavan's interior is adorned with captivating paintings and stucco images narrating scenes from the Mahabharata epic.

The Birla Temple, with its blend of historic significance and architectural magnificence, stands as a beacon of cultural heritage and religious devotion.

Within the complex, a spacious Dharmasala stands ready to welcome and accommodate the devotees who journey to the temple.

Every year, the vibrant celebration of Janmashtami, Lord Krishna's birthday, resonates throughout this temple's hallowed halls. Birla Mandir has earned renown for its grand observance of this auspicious occasion, drawing countless devotees to partake in its spiritual festivities.

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