CleanupBot II at 09:43, 14 August 2023

2023-08-14T09:43:17Z

New page

{{for|similarly named temples|Laxmi Narayan Mandir (disambiguation){{!}}Laxmi Narayan Mandir}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Laxminarayan Temple
| image = Laxminarayan Temple in New Delhi 03-2016.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Laxminarayan Temple{{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=point|zoom=15|frame-align=center|frame-width=230}}
| map_type = India Delhi
| map_caption = Location in Delhi
| coordinates = {{coord|28.6327|77.1989|format=dms|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| native_name = Laxmi Narayan Temple
| country = [[India]]
| state =
| district =
| location = [[New Delhi]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Laxmi Narayan]] ([[Vishnu]] with his consort [[Lakshmi]])
| festivals = [[Janmashtami]], [[Diwali]]
| architecture = [[Hindu temple architecture#Nagara architecture|Nagara style]] of [[Hindu temple architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity =
| inscriptions =
| year_completed = 1939
| creator = [[Baldeo Das Birla]]
| website =
}}

The '''Laxminarayan Mandir''', 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 [[Narayana|Narayan]], when he is with his consort [[Lakshmi]]. The temple, inaugurated by [[Mahatma Gandhi]], was built by Jugal Kishore Birla<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.delhitourism.gov.in/delhitourism/tourist_place/birla_mandir.jsp|title=:: Delhi Tourism - Birla Mandir ::|last=Corporation|first=Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development|website=www.delhitourism.gov.in|language=en|access-date=2018-11-20}}</ref> from 1933 and 1939. The side temples are dedicated to [[Shiva]], [[Krishna]] and [[Gautama Buddha in Hinduism|Buddha]].<ref name=makht/>

It was the first large Hindu temple built in Delhi. The temple is spread over 3 hectares (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 [[Tourist Attractions in Delhi|major attractions of Delhi]] and attracts thousands of devotees on the [[Hindu festivals|festivals]] of [[Janmashtami]] and [[Diwali]].

==History==
[[File:Gandhi at the Laxminarayan Temple.jpg|thumbnail|right|Gandhi inaugurating the Laxminarayan Temple with members of the Birla family, Delhi, 1938]]

The construction of the temple dedicated to Laxmi Narayana started in 1933, built by industrialist and philanthropist, [[Baldeo Das Birla]] and his son [[Jugal Kishore Birla]] of the [[Birla family]], thus, the temple is also known as ''Birla Temple''. The foundation stone of the temple was laid by [[Jat]] [[Udaybhanu Singh|Maharaj Udaybhanu Singh]]. The temple was built under guidance of Pandit Vishwanath Shastri.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://expertbulletin.com/birla-mandir/|title=Birla Mandir – Lakshmi Narayan Temple Delhi - Expert Bulletin|first=Expert|last=Bulletin|access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref> The concluding ceremony and [[Yagna]] were performed by Swami Keshavanandji.<ref name="y">{{cite web|url=http://www.hdfcbank.com/personal/donate-online/religious-offering-inner/1323254400|title=Archived copy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703142515/http://www.hdfcbank.com/personal/donate-online/religious-offering-inner/1323254400|archive-date=2014-07-03|url-status=dead|access-date=2014-09-19}}</ref><ref name=makht>{{cite news |title=Making history with brick and mortar|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Making-history-with-brick-and-mortar/Article1-745801.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205200651/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Making-history-with-brick-and-mortar/Article1-745801.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 December 2012 |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=15 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-temples/birla-mandir-delhi.html|title=Birla Temple Delhi- Birla Mandir in Delhi, Laxmi Narayan Mandir Delhi, Laxminarayan Temple New Delhi India|access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref>

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==
[[File:Birla mandir,Delhi.JPG|alt=Birla mandir, Delhi|thumb|left|200px|The [[Sikhara|shikharas]] of the temple]]

Its architect was Sris Chandra Chatterjee, a leading proponent of the "Modern Indian Architecture Movement."<ref>A Concise History of Modern Architecture in India, Jon T. Lang, Orient Blackswan, 2002, p. 27</ref> 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 [[Hindu temple architecture#Nagara architecture|Nagara style]] of [[Hindu temple architecture|temple architecture]]. The entire temple is adorned with carvings depicting the scenes from golden yuga of the present universe cycle. More than a hundred skilled artisans from [[Varanasi|Benares]], headed by Acharya Vishvanath Shastri, carved the icons of the temple. The highest [[Sikhara|shikhara]] of the temple above the sanctum sanctorum is about 49 m (160 feet) high. The temple faces the east and is situated on a high plinth. The shrine is adorned with fresco paintings depicting Shastri's life and work. The icons of the temple are in marble brought from Jaipur. Kota stone from Makarana, Agra, Kota, and Jaisalmer was used in the construction of the temple premises. The Geeta Bhawan to the north of the temple is dedicated to [[Krishna]]. Artificial landscape and cascading waterfalls add to the beauty of the temple.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laxminarayan.blessingsonthenet.com/|title=Birla Mandir:About the Temple|access-date=16 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413070334/http://www.laxminarayan.blessingsonthenet.com/|archive-date=13 April 2012}}</ref>

==Temple==
The main temple houses statues of [[Narayana|Narayan]] and [[Lakshmi]]. There are other small shrines dedicated to [[Shiva]], [[Ganesha]] and [[Hanuman]]. There is also a shrine dedicated to [[Buddha]]. The left side temple shikhar (dome) houses Devi [[Durga]], the goddess of [[Shakti]], the power. The temple is spread over an area of {{convert|7.5|acre|m2}} approximately and the built up area is {{convert|0.52|acre|m2}}.

==Location==

The temple is located on the Mandir Marg, situated west of the [[Connaught Place, New Delhi|Connaught Place]] in [[New Delhi]]. The temple is easily accessible from the city by local buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws. The nearest [[Delhi Metro]] [[List of Delhi metro stations|station]] is [[Ramakrishna Ashram Marg metro station|R. K. Ashram Marg metro station]], located about 2 km away. Also on the same road lies the [[New Delhi Kalibari]].
{{wide image|Birla Mandir Delhi, a panoramic view.jpg|1200px|'''A panoramic view of Birla Mandir.'''}}

==See also==
*[[Tourist attractions in Delhi]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Shivaji_Birla_mandir_6_dec_2009_(38).JPG | ''[[Shivaji]]'' statue with a verse by [[Kavi Bhushan|Poet Bhushan]]
File:Chandragupt_maurya_Birla_mandir_6_dec_2009_(31).JPG | ''[[Chandragupta Maurya]]''
File:Birla Mandir - Delhi, views around.JPG |Flower Shop
File:Birla Mandir, Delhi, views at night2.JPG | Dharmashala
File:Birla mandir 6 dec 2009 a temple.JPG | South Indian style Gopuram
File:Budha statue in a Budha Vihar near Birla Mandir Delhi1.JPG | Buddha Vihar
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat|Laxminarayan temple, New Delhi}}
*[http://www.thedivineindia.com/birla-mandir/5778/ Laxminarayan Temple, Birla Mandir - thedivineindia.com]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120413070334/http://www.laxminarayan.blessingsonthenet.com/ Laxminarayan Temple]
*[http://wikimapia.org/#lat=28.633528&lon=77.198128&z=18&l=19&m=a&v=2&gz=1;77198583;28632445;0;212;247;551;660;311;424;0 Laxminarayan Temple on Wikimapia]

{{Delhi landmarks}}
{{Famous Vishnu temples}}
{{Hindu temples in Delhi}}

[[Category:1939 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Delhi]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1939]]
[[Category:Vishnu temples]]

Laxminarayan Temple - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 09:43, 14 August 2023