Birla

Lakshmi Narayan Temple

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. 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.

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.