The famous Birla temple patronized by Mahatma Gandhi, who inaugurated this temple in 1938 after Raja Baldev Birla constructed it, is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. It is close to Connaught Place and is frequented by many devotees regularly. The temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi on the condition that people of all strata of society be allowed to offer prayers there on account of the large scale prevalence of untouchability at that time. One of the most important festivals of the Hindus Janamashtami coinciding with the birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great fervour in the temple with more than Lakh visitors. At the entrance is a plaque welcoming people of all faiths and religions.

Architecture

The highest tower in the temple reaches a height of 165 feet and the ancillary towers reach 116 feet. The Geeta Bhavan, a hall is adorned with beautiful paintings depicting scenes from Indian mythology.

Other shrines

Durga and Shiva are the other major deities housed in this temple. There is also a temple dedicated to Buddha in this complex with fresco paintings describing his life and work. The entire complex, the walls and the upper gallery are full of paintings carried out by artists from Jaipur in Rajasthan. The rear of the temple is developed as an artificial mountainous landscape with fountains and waterfalls.

Information for tourists

Accommodation is available in the temple guesthouse for out of town travellers especially for international scholars pursuing knowledge in Sanskrit or in the Hindu religion.

All Hindu festivals are celebrated with great fervor. But the celebrations of Krishna Janmashtami and Deepawali attract a huge crowd to the temple.

The Lakshmi Narayan Temple or the Birla Temple as it is popularly known enshrines Lord Vishnu – the preserver of the Hindu Trinity. The Temple is one of the major attractions of the capital city - Delhi. The divine tranquility of the temple is interrupted only by the melodious kirtans that echoes in the sanctum sanctorum. The temple enshrines almost all the deities of the Hindu Pantheon. Situated at the heart of the cit, this is one of the major tourist and pilgrim destinations of Delhi.

The temple is built in the Nagara style of architecture interspersed with modern influences. The entire temple is adorned with relief carvings depicting the scenes from mythology. 101 skilled pundits from Benares, headed by Acharya Vishvanath Shastri, carved the idols of the temple. One can find a number of friezes and artistic sculptures add to the aesthetic beauty of this temple. The highest Shikara of the temple above the sanctum sanctorum soars 160 feet high. The temple faces the east and is situated on a high plinth. It leades to a platform from where a few more steps lead to sanctum sanctorum. This chamber is dedicated to Lord Narayan and Goddess Lakshmi. There are other small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha and Hanuman. The holy Vedas are also enshrined in this temple. There is also a shrine dedicated to Lord Buddha. 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. The temples premises are dotted with miniature rock temples, which are a craze amongst the children. An artificial landscape complete with mountains and cascading waterfalls add to the beauty of the temple.