Laxmi Narayan Mandir is also known as Birla Mandir. It is a modern Hindu temple which is dedicated to Laxmi known as goddess of wealth and Narayana known as the preserver. It attracts several devotees and international tourists.

The temple was first built in 1622 by Vir Singh Deo, and renovated by Prithvi Singh in 1793. Since 1938, funds for further renovations and support have come from the Birla family. It was then rebuilt by Baldev Das Birla.

It was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi with the stipulation that it should be open to all castes and all faiths, so it is more welcoming to foreigners than the average temple. The temple is built in the Nagara style which is an Orissan style of architecture interspersed with modern influences. It has a large number of idols representing various gods of Indian pantheon. The well-grafted gardens need a special mention.

Birla Temple has tall curved towers capped by large amalakas which is circular ribbed motif at the summit of a temple tower. The highest tower in the temple is of 165 feet in height while the ancillary towers reach 116 feet.



The exterior is faced with the white marble and red sandstone typical of Delhi's Mughal architecture. The interior court is overlooked by two-storey verandahs on three sides; there are gardens and fountains at the rear. The profusion of sculptures, idols, spires and jalis, the Birla Mandir in Delhi is also considered as splendor in terms of its architecture.

There is a hall named Geeta Bhavan which 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.

The temple contains a large number of idols and visitors can also watch priests performing ritualistic prayers. 101 skilled pundits from Varanasi, headed by Acharya Vishvanath Shastri, were employed to create this magic in stones.

Birla Temple is must at Janamashtami, a festival in order to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. The whole temple pulsates with sacred hymes and spiritual fragrance, and you can see devotees, adorned in colorful clothes, hemming in to vow adoration to infant Gopal. During Deepawali, the whole temple is trimmed with multi-hued lights that create a magnificent spell in the heart of every tourist. Also, do not forget to behold the splendid 'Arati' ceremony, a ritual performed with flowers, lamps, scent and other sacred artifacts.

The Birla temple provides all basic facilities for the visitors in the temple complex itself. Those who want to perform rituals can do so with the help of the priest of the temple. The Arati is performed in the evening, which is worth attending.