Laxminarayan Temple

Laxminarayan Temple
Name
Other names Birla Temple
Proper name Laxmi Narayan Temple
Devanagari श्री लक्ष्मीनारायण मन्दिर
Geography
Country India
Location New Delhi
Culture
Primary deity Laxmi Narayan (Vishnu with his consort Lakshmi)
Important festivals Janmashtami, Diwali
Architecture
Architectural styles Nagara style of Hindu temple architecture
History and governance
Date built 1939
Creator Baldeo Das Birla

Coordinates: 19°07′57″N 72°50′22″E / 19.1324897°N 72.8394278°E / 19.1324897; 72.8394278

The Laxminarayan Temple (Hindi: श्री लक्ष्मीनारायण मन्दिर, also known as the Birla Mandir) is a Hindu temple up to large extent 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 built by Baldeo Das Birla[1] and his sons (including Ghanshyam Das) from 1933 and 1939. The side temples are dedicated to Shiva, Krishna and Buddha.[2]

It was the first large Hindu temple built in Delhi. The temple is spread over 7.5 acres, adorned with many shrines, fountains, and a large garden with Hindu and Nationalistic sculptures, and also houses Geeta Bhawan for discourses. The temple is one of the major attractions of Delhi and attracts thousands of devotees on the festivals of Janmashtami and Diwali.

History

Gandhi inaugurating the Laxminarayan Temple with members of the Birla family, Delhi, 1938

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 the temple was laid by Maharaj Udaybhanu Singh. The temple was built under guidance of Pandit Vishwanath Shastri.[3] 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][4]

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

The shikharas of the temple

Its architect was Sris Chandra Chatterjee, a leading proponent of the ‘Modern Indian Architecture Movement’.[5] 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 temple architecture. The entire temple is adorned with carvings depicting the scenes from golden yuga of the present universe cycle. 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.[6]

Temple

The main temple houses statues of Lord Narayan and 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 goddess of Shakti, the power. The temple is spread over an area of 7.5 acres (30,000 m2) approximately and the built up area is 0.52 acres (2,100 m2).

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 metro station, located about 2 km away. Also on the same road lies the New Delhi Kalibari.

A panoramic view of Birla Mandir.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-07-03. Retrieved 2014-09-19.
  2. 1 2 "Making history with brick and mortar". Hindustan Times. September 15, 2011.
  3. ↑ Bulletin, Expert. "Birla Mandir – Lakshmi Narayan Temple Delhi - Expert Bulletin". Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  4. ↑ "Birla Temple Delhi- Birla Mandir in Delhi, Laxmi Narayan Mandir Delhi, Laxminarayan Temple New Delhi India". Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  5. ↑ A Concise History of Modern Architecture in India, Jon T. Lang, Orient Blackswan, 2002, p. 27
  6. ↑ "Birla Mandir:About the Temple". Retrieved 16 October 2016.
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