Birla Mandir, Jaipur is a Hindu temple located in Jaipur, India and is part of one of the several Birla mandirs located all around the country. The grand temple is located on an elevated ground at the base of Moti Dungari hill in Rajasthan.
Birla Temple, Jaipur At the foot of Moti Dungri fort is the Birla Temple. This temple forms one of the major attractions of Jaipur. Birla Temple of Jaipur looks stunning, when it is brightly lit in the night. The enormous temple was built during the year 1988, by Birla Group of Industries, one of the business tycoons of India. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Narayan), the preserver and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. Due to this reason, Birla Temple is also known as Laxmi Narayan Temple.
Birla Mandir is constructed in the finest quality of white marble. The three huge domes of the temple represent three different approaches to the religion. The beautiful white marble temple mesmerizes the onlookers, when it glows at night. Stained glass windows depict the scenes from Hindu scriptures. Ganesh the protector of households, is above the lintel, and the fine quality of marble is evident when you enter the temple and look back at the entrance way. The images of Lakshmi and Narayan attract the attention, being made out from one piece of marble.
Many of the deities of the Hindu pantheon are depicted inside the temple, and on the outside walls great historical personages and figures from all religions are shown, including Socrates, Zarathustra, Christ, Buddha, and Confucius. The Laxmi Narayan Mandir is a modern architectural marvel, surrounded by lush green gardens. The fascinating exteriors of the temple are carved splendidly with beautiful sculptures based on mythological themes, while the interiors have a large marble panel portraying mythological events.
History of the Birla Temple Jaipur
The temple was built over a time span of over 8 years-from 1977 till 1985. The consecration ceremony of the temple took place on 22nd February 1985, after which the shrine was opened for the public. The land, the temple is built on, was given by the Maharaja to the Birlas for a token amount of just one rupee. This popular shrine is famous and visited by millions of devotees every year.
Architecture of Birla temple
Built with white marble, the architecture of this temple reflects a modern style with traces of the traditional features you would find in a temple. The walls and the pillars of this temple are adorned with intricate carvings depicting quotes from scriptures, mythological events, and symbols, figurines of gods and goddesses and Hindu symbols.
The temple celebrates the cultural and religious diversity of India so you will find figures of several saints from other religions, historians, and philosophers existing side by side with those from the Hindu religion. The teachings of Buddha, the work of legendary teachers like Socrates and Confucius are a great sight to look at. The temple is a mélange of all the philosophies and religious teachings passed down to mankind since ages.
Three domes in the temple which represent the different religions in India stand out prominently in the structure of this temple. These domes are also a symbol of secularism prevalent in India. The entrance to the temple is adorned by an image of Lord Ganesha, who is worshipped foremost in all Hindu religious festivals and proceedings.
The white marble of the temple is inlaid with a golden color and it gives the façade a magnificent look. Outside the main temple structure, there are stained glass windows that have been beautifully adorned with Hindu mythology scenes. Just outside the main temple, there is another small temple with the idol of Lord Shiva in white marble and gold. People come here to pay homage and to admire its beauty.