Birla Temple, Delhi

Near to Connaught Place, this garish modern temple was erected by the industrialist B.D. Birla in 1938. It is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and good fortune, and is commonly known as Birla Mandir or Lakshmi Narayan Temple.

The temple is an important prayer site and contains idols of several deities . Interestingly Mahatama Gandhi who inaugurated the temple was also a regular visitor to it and would often pray there.

This is a nice place to go sightseeing but i do not think you are allowed to go in.

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I had noticed the different styles of temples and asked our guide. He took us to the Laxmi Narayan Temple [Birla Mandir] dedicated to Laxmi Narayan. the main shrine has images of Lord Vishnu and his consort Laxmi. There were also shrines to Ghanesh and Shiva.
The temple itself is being re-decorated and seems very large. You have to remove your shoes before going in, and leave cameras in a locker.
I found it very difficult to understand the relationship between the gods, and the guide was of little help.
Much was made clearer when I heard the audioguide at the museum in Mumbai.
And the Jain temple in Mumbai was a completely different experience [see Mumbai tips].
Worshippers were coming and going, throwing or placing garlands, coconuts and spices in front of their favoured god.

Other temples I noticed were a Sikh temple visible from the terrace of the Humayun Tomb, and Digambar Jain Lal Mandir , opposite the Red Fort.
All three were very different.

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Located fairly near to Pahar Ganj, the Birla Mandir (Lakshmi Narayan Temple) was built in 1938 by the Birla family who are industrialists. Its a huge complex where all the buildings are painted burgundy and yellow and the temple is full of mirrors and colourful pictures of various Hindu gods and goddesses.

Open 6am-9pm.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple - This temple was build by G. D. Birla in 1938. This beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of prosperity and good fortune. The temple has well grafted gardens. It is also known as the Birla Mandir.

Birla Mandir is the name by which the Lakshmi Narayan Temple is more commonly known. It's a recently-built temple (from 1938) by a man called D. Birla. It's an Indu temple, too - and dedicated to Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity and fortune. The architecture is really stunning, but the colours in which it's painted are a bit too garish to be called pretty. Inside photography is not allowed, but the temple is splendid - the wall paintings are truly superb - and we were lucky enough to have been given a blessing and put a red mark on our forehead. it was a pleasant visit. Entrance is free.

in 1938. This beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of prosperity and good fortune. The temple has well grafted gardens. It is also known as the Birla Mandir.

This an impressive "very clean"temple with marble stairs,wall inscriptions and scriptures as well as shrines.It has an impressive facade,gracious attendents and a very good shop.A great place to get upto date with the myriad of hindu gods and stories..well worth
the visit.

BIRLA TEMPLE is an hindu temple, it's a pity I don't have pictures from inside because it is really wonderful. I remember, above all, the incense and food smeell and the colorful gods. Outside there is a kind of garden, vegetation and there is a beutiful statue of an elephant. The morning I visit there were lots of people from the Rajastan, and it was wonderful visit the temple and see thir beatiful and colorful clothes they were.

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This modern Hindu temple is an major tourist stop for its art and a learning stop for features of modern hinduism.