Birla Mandir, Jaipur
Made in white marble and delicately glistening in the sun, Jaipur’s Birla Temple, the abode to Sri Lakshminarayana, is an architectural marvel. Like all other Birla temples across India, this is also done in modern architecture and looks similar to a Scottish castle in design to match Moti Dungri Palace, which is visible from the temple. The three domes stand for the three major religions followed in India representing the secular nature of the country. Just like this one, there are many things unique to Jaipur that make planning a visit to the royal capital of Rajasthan a must.About Birla Mandir
The famous business family of India, the B.M. Birla Foundation, built the Birla Mandir in Jaipur in the year 1988. The land on which the temple stands was donated to the Birla family by the then king of Jaipur, at a token cost of Rs. 1. One of the temples built by the foundation across the country, Jaipur’s Birla Temple is built with serene white marble and is home to the principal deity of Hinduism Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. The temple was earlier called Lakshmi Narayana Temple.
The stunning idol of Lord Lakshminarayana is carved out of a single piece of stone and wins every heart. Another wonder of art in the temple is the Lord Ganesha idol. There are beautifully sculpted idols of other gods and goddesses too. The walls of the temple are decorated with paintings from the Mahabharata era and various Hindu deities and delicately carved Hindu symbols and shlokas from Geeta and Upanishads. The deities and paintings also adorn the marble console.
The temple’s exteriors are as beautiful and made of marble. The exteriors are adorned with images and sculptors of gods and goddesses, great legends, enlightened saints, achievers, and philosophers, not only from India but from across the world like Socrates, Confucius, Christ, Zarathustra, and Gautam Buddha. The temple stands for a forward-looking mindset and symbolizes unity and inclusiveness, basis to Hindu culture.
The temple also has a museum, showcasing the ancestral belongings of the glorious Birla family. Nestled in lush green trees within the Aravalli foothills, the temple rests in calm and peace of its surroundings. The temple not only draws devotees during festival season but is one of the most visited temples of Jaipur.
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Location:
The temple is located at the foothills of Moti Dungri Fort and palace in the middle of the lush greenery, tranquility, and peace. There are lavish beautiful gardens surrounding the temple. The nearby places of interest include the Raja Park market, Pink Square Mall, and Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple.Best Time to Visit
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and one of the most visited cities in India. Owing to its forts, royal palaces, monuments, heritage, history, and finest ancient temples from centuries ago, Jaipur has earned its fame as a heritage city. The semi-desert city rightfully attracts travelers from all over the globe.
1. The best months are October to March when the city celebrates many of its colorful festivals and is pleasant to move around and enjoy the city in its fervor. The temperate around this time of the year is approx. 20-22℃ (68-72 ℉). At night, the temperature drops to about 5 ℃ (41℉) making the stay ideal to enjoy things like.
During October and March, festivals like Janmashtami – the birth of Lord Krishna, Diwali- the festival of lights, Navratri- the nine days of praying the nine forms of Goddess Durga, etc. are celebrated at Birla Temple, Jaipur with gusto and enthusiasm. The Birla Temple’s Janmashtami celebration is famous and not to be missed if you are in or around the city.
2. The city experiences extreme climatic conditions. Summers are very hot, April, May, and June are the hottest months as the temperature goes up to 47℃ (117℉) sometimes. This is not an ideal time to travel to any parts of Rajasthan including Jaipur.
3. Months from July to September mark the monsoon season. The city does not receive much rainfall and remains humid during monsoon season. Of course, not a tourist-friendly weather.
4. The Birla Temple opens daily from 8 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM.
5. At night, the temple glows in the light of colorful tiny bulbs and looks beautiful under the pitch-dark sky.How to Reach
Jaipur is a developed city and very well connected with other cities, states and the world at large, through many transport mediums.
Air: The Nearest airport is in Sanganer. You can hire a prepaid or regular taxi from the airport that leaves you at the desired location in Jaipur.
Train: The Jaipur Railway Station is situated in the heart of the city. You can reach Birla Temple by car, bus, and auto rickshaw. Trains connect Jaipur with other cities. The three railways stations in Jaipur are Jaipur Junction, Gandhinagar, and Durgapura stations.
Road: National highways connect the city with other cities too. Yet another way to reach Jaipur is Rajasthan State Transport buses.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
• The museum at the Birla temple complex is a place to witness the glory of the Birla temple that lies evident in the ancestral belongings displayed here. It has an expansive garden and a shopping complex selling souvenir items related to the Hindu culture.• Very close to the temple is the Moti Dungri Temple – a Ganesha temple inside the Moti Dungri palace complex. People usually visit both temples when they come here.
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Nearest Railway Station: Jaipur Junction Railway Station, JaipurTo Note: Photography is not allowed inside the temple.