Birla Mandir in Jaipur

Birla Mandir Jaipur: A serene white architectural beauty 

Visit Birla Mandir in Jaipur, a place full of serenity and a religious vibe carrying the legacy of architecture and culture the pink city is famous for.

Places To Visit

Although not very old, Birla Mandir in Jaipur is famous for its grand architecture and serene beauty. The temple is named after the Birla family who constructed several Birla temples located all around the country. The highly regarded pilgrimage of Hindus, Birla Mandir, is located beneath the Moti Dungri Hill in Jaipur. Also referred to as Laxmi-Narayan Temple, Birla Mandir is a modern temple built completely of white marble to enhance the beauty of Jaipur. 

History of Birla Mandir, Jaipur

The construction of this finest temple in India started in 1977 by Ramanuj Das. The history states that this land was donated by the King of Jaipur, Maharaja Man Singh II to Ganshyamdas Birla at the cost of a mere one rupee for constructing this temple. The Birla family is one of the Indian industrialist families working at BM Birla Foundation. As per the story, 

Shree Rang Ramanuj Das saw a dream of Lord Laxminarayan in the year 1904. In his dream, the Lord told Ramanuj Das  that the temple is being built over the land where he lives. He then asked Ramanuj Das to dig up the idol and bring him back to Earth.

It took around 8 years for this structure to develop. As per the historical presences, Mahatma Gandhi was invited to inaugurate Birla Mandir. To this, Gandhi stated that he would only accept the invitation if devotees of all social castes are allowed in the temple. The consecration ritual of the temple was conducted on 22nd February 1985.

Architectural Beauty

This white architectural masterpiece is designed in the finest white marble carvings emitting a sparkling effect. The structure of the religious Birla Temple is a beautiful blend of archaic Hindu architecture tones and modern design. The religious temple is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu. It looks spectacular from the far away being built on a high platform encircled from three sides by road and on the fourth side by Shankargarh Fort.

On the walls of the temple quotes and sayings from the Puranas and Upanishads are engraved intricately from well-known preachers and holy men. It has three domes that represent the three different religious approaches – Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The outer part of the temple is decorated with delicately carved statues from all religions including Socrates, Zarathustra, Christ, Buddha, and Confucius. They have tinted glass windows that illustrate mythology tales of deities. 

As you enter the premises of the temple, you will find yourself standing in front of the image of Lord Ganesha which is deemed to be immensely auspicious. This idol is a magnum opus that seems to be almost transparent. From there you reach the idols of Lakshmi and Narayan enshrined at the main sanctum of the temple. The incredible pictures are carved out of a single piece of marble and are illustrated with the most luxurious adornments and attire. 

The most striking feature of this temple are its doors which have carvings in gold. You will also spot marvelous engravings on marble pillars at the main entrance and an arch with intricate jali work design. The entrance also has two seating ledges on both sides for visitors. A broad walkway of white marble around the main temple is used by people to take a stroll at the expansive gardens surrounding the main complex of the Birla Temple. A small museum displaying the household items used by the members of the Birla family is exhibited here.

Prime Attraction

The major attraction at this temple is the pictorial exhibits of achievers, spiritual saints, philosophers, and many others, who have made an impact in the world’s history. You will also get to witness lovely paintings carved on the walls depicting beautiful scenes from holy books like Bhagavad Gita.

Another prime attraction that draws tourists here is that this white-marbled temple illuminates at night. In the daylight, the surroundings of lush green gardens on all its sides lend this temple a serene and beautiful environment with a pleasing view. 

Apart from this, the peaceful chanting of the holy mantras, the ringing of temple bells, and the diffused fragrance of incense sticks takes you to a different world of serenity.

Janmashtami in Birla Temple 

One of the most festive events in the Birla Temple is Janmashtami when the temple is lit up for celebrations with glittering lights and oil lamps. Adorned with fresh flowers and ornate decoration, Lord Krishna is welcomed into the world amidst grand celebrations and chants of holy prayers. Devotees visit the temple in mass numbers to seek the blessings of the Lord.

Interesting Facts and Trivia About Birla Mandir

  • The temple is popularly known as Lakshmi Narayan Mandir and is devoted to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.
  • There are 3 domes of the temple each signifying the 3 religions that originated in this country.
  • Birla Mandir is considered one of the finest temples in India made completely of elegant white marble.
  • The land on which this temple is built was given by the Maharaja to the Birlas for a mere 1 rupee token.

Things to do in Birla Temple

  • The main activity here is holy sightseeing. This is a major spot for religious tourists. Do visit the museum inside the temple complex.
  • Enjoy the statues, drawings, writings on the wall and quotes from the scripts from holy books like Bhagavad Gita.
  • Experiencing the rhythm of the soulful aarti during the evenings or mornings makes you lose yourself in the serenity of the place. Starting at 6 am, the temple has different aartis like Mangala, Shringar, Rajbhog, Sandhya, and Shayan Artis.
  • You can find many shops around the temple. These shops are the best places to buy souvenirs, religious items and small statues of deity.
  • This serene temple is also the most favorite place of Jaipurites for the many pav bhaji joints here. It is a heaven for all the pav bhaji lovers making it a major hangout place that attracts Jaipurites.

Travellers tips

  • Cameras and phones are not permitted inside the temple complex. Taking pictures and videos is strictly not permitted. 
  • It is not allowed to roam around the verandah
  • If you are a first time visitor, it is advised to visit the temple in the evening when the temple presents a breathtaking sight. Try planning your visit during evening aarti at the temple. The vibe is so religious and the environment feels so enchanting.
  • Do carry a water bottle always with you no matter if it is winter season as even during the winters, the weather of Jaipur is a bit warm and dry. Drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated. 
  • It is recommended that you visit this temple avoiding the weekends and also mornings and evenings during weekdays as these times are crowded and might hinder the flawless experience that you had thought up in your mind.
  • Since it is a popular temple of Jaipur, you will find a lot of people at any time of the day, so beware of theft or misplacing your footwear. Make sure to leave your footwear at the allotted spot.

Hotels near Birla Mandir Jaipur

Here are some hotels near Birla Mandir in Jaipur:

Please note that availability and rates may vary, so it’s recommended to check with the hotels or use online booking platforms for the most up-to-date information.

Entry Fees

150 Rs. Per person

Guide availability 

You won’t get any guide available here in this temple since it is not a huge place that may require a guide. If you still need someone to show you around, the priests of the temple will happily do that! They will also recite mythological stories and much more.

Visiting Hours

8.00 am to noon and 

4.00 pm to 8.00 the evening

Time duration

It would take around half an hour to an hour to completely explore the temple. But due to the beauty and serenity of the temple, most people end up spending much more time here. 

Contact 

0141 262 0969, 0141 511 0598

Location

The holy shrine, Birla Mandir is located near Moti Dungari hill in the Tilak Nagar neighborhood of the city’s prime JLN road which is around 1 km from the main gate of Rajasthan University.

Address

Tilak Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 302004, India

How to Reach

While visiting all the top attractions in Jaipur, tourists must once go to Birla Mandir. To reach the place you can hire a cab or an auto rickshaw. There are also many buses to take you to Birla Mandir. The temple is around 7 km from Jaipur Railway station and you will reach it in just 16 minutes. While from the airport, it is 10 km and 25 minutes are enough to reach the temple. 

Best time to visit

If you are planning to visit this majestic temple, try to plan during the winters or on any of the hindu festivals, especially of Lord Vishnu or Lord Laxmi, Janmashtami. During Janmashtami, the temple is abuzz with activity and visitors will witness various rituals and celebrations during this festival.

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