BTS-PTS-04 CULTURE & HERITAGE OF BIRLA TEMPLE

The Laxmi Narayan Mandir (temple) built by B.D. Birla is a modern Hindu temple dedicated to
Laxmi (goddess of wealth) and Narayana (the preserver). It was inaugurated by Gandhi with
the stipulation that it should be open to all castes (including the untouchables) and all faiths,
so it is more welcoming to foreigners than the average temple.
After visiting so many ancient Hindu temples, it was fun to see a modern functioning one. The
whole temple was quite garish, and noisy with chants over the loud speaker system, but it was
also strangely peaceful. In the garden there was a tree wound with colored strings, and two
women were praying at the foot.
History
This temple was built over a six year period (1933 – 1939) and was opened by Mahatma
Gandhi.
Temple Architecture
The highest tower in the temple reaches a height of 165 feet while the ancillary towers reach
116 feet. The Geeta Bhavan, a hall is adorned with beautiful paintings depicting scenes from
Indian mythology. There is also a temple dedicated to Buddha in this complex with fresco
paintings describing his life and work. The entire complex, especially the walls and the upper
gallery are full of paintings carried out by artists from Jaipur in Rajasthan. The rear of the
temple has been developed as an artificial mountainous landscape with fountains and
waterfalls.