Updated May 29, 2023
About Laxmi Narayan Temple
Do you wish to visit a temple in our national capital where spirituality meets nationalism? Then your quest ends at the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Connaught Place, built by the Birla family and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1939.
History of Laxmi Narayan Temple
The Laxmi Narayan Temple in New Delhi is the first in a series of temples built across the country by the Birla family. The construction of this temple took place between 1933 and 1939. Entrepreneur Baldeo Das Birla and his elder son J K Birla built this under the guidance of Pandit Vishwanath Shastri. Maharaja Udaybhan Singh laid the temple’s foundation stone, and Swami Keshav Nandji conducted the closing ceremony.
In a powerful demonstration against the prevailing caste system in India, Mahatma Gandhi set a condition for inaugurating the temple: the temple authorities had to allow people from all castes to pray there. Accepting the condition, they ensured that people from all castes could enter the temple and exercise their right to worship.
Architecture of Laxmi Narayan Temple
The temple, spanning an area of 7.5 acres, is a three-storeyed structure constructed of red sandstone in the Nagara style of architecture. The Swadeshi movement significantly inspires the architecture of the temple. The temple’s highlight is the Shikara which stands at a towering height of 160 feet above the Sanctorum. The temple also houses a south-style Gopuram.
Kota stones from Kota, Agra, Jaisalmer, and Makrana have been the primary targets for constructing the temple. One can also see beautiful fresco paintings and inscriptions from Hindu texts here.
As the name suggests, the temple has Laxmi and Narayan as the presiding deities, apart from other shrines devoted to Shiva, Durga, Hanuman, Ganesha, and Buddha. The Geeta Bhawan, situated to the north of the temple, has the shrine of Lord Krishna. Fantastic landscapes and gushing waterfalls accentuate the beauty of the temple.
Temple Garden
The temple garden is a significant feature of this holy place. It makes you feel calm and at peace even in the country’s buzzing capital.
The Garden has a majestic Bhagavad Gita chariot, Krishna dancing over Kaliya Snake, and statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Samrat Chandragupta Maurya, amongst other features. The Garden also has comfortable sit-outs and a play area.
Events
The temple attracts huge crowds during festivals like Janmashtami, Diwali, Ram Navami, and Navaratri. Thousands of devotees throng the temple to be a part of the festivities. One can soak in the spiritual ambiance by witnessing the Bhajans and Kirtans at the Geeta Bhawan.
The chants dedicated to Lord Krishna and the pleasant sounds of the bells enter your ears and soul. Many individuals frequent this sacred edifice to offer supplications to the Supreme Being to realize their desires. After fulfilling their petitions, they return to the temple to express gratitude to the Omnipotent.
Location
The temple is on Mandir Marg, situated west of Connaught Place in New Delhi. It is very easily accessible by Bus, auto/taxi, and metro rail.
Instructions
- Mobile Phones and other electronic devices are not allowed in the temple.
- Goods can be kept safely in the lockers outside free of cost.
- There is no entry fee for visiting the temple.
Temple Timings
The temple opens at 4.30 am and closes at 1 pm. It reopens at 2.30 pm and remains open till 9 pm.
We have equipped you with all the knowledge we have about the temple. However, there is a lot more to learn and feel that is difficult to express in words. So, do visit the temple to experience the glory of nationalism and the warmth of spiritualism here.
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