Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple, also known as Birla Mandir, is located in New Delhi on Mandir Marg. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of prosperity Lakshmi and her consort Narayana (a form of Vishnu). Construction lasted from 1933 to 1939 on the initiative of industrialist Baldeo Das Birla. The temple was opened with the participation of Mahatma Gandhi, who set the condition that access to the temple should be open to all, regardless of caste and religion.
Goddess Lakshmi and Narayana
Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple was built in honor of the goddess of happiness and abundance Lakshmi and her consort Vishnu in the form of Narayana. Lakshmi is the deity of prosperity, wealth, fortune and well-being. According to mythology, she appeared during the churning of the Ocean of Milk by gods and demons and chose Vishnu as her consort. The lotus is the main symbol of Lakshmi.
Narayana is a form of Vishnu, meaning "resting on the waters". In this form, Vishnu is depicted sleeping on the coils of the thousand-headed serpent Ananta, which rests on the surface of the primordial Ocean. Lakshmi and Narayana together embody the unity of male and female cosmic principles and have the ability to bestow blessings and good fortune.
Architecture of Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple is built in the North Indian architectural style of Nagara. The main building materials are white-pink marble and red sandstone, brought from different regions of Rajasthan. The three-story building is crowned with three red sandstone shikhara towers, the central one reaching 50 meters in height, the other two — 35 meters. The temple is oriented to the east, and the first rays of the sun illuminate the entrance to the sanctum.
The main sanctum of Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple is decorated with gold leaf and marble. The figures of Lakshmi and Narayana are made of white marble. The prayer hall is adorned with frescoes, marble figures of deities and verses from sacred texts. The ceiling of the hall is decorated with a row of elephant heads, with a large chandelier in the center, and beneath it on the floor — a globe and a bell. The path of ritual circumambulation (parikrama) passes through a mirrored gallery.
Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple has smaller shrines dedicated to other deities: Shiva, Ganesha, Hanuman, Durga and Buddha. In the northern part of the temple is located Geeta Bhavan, dedicated to Krishna, decorated with multi-colored semi-precious stones and mirrors.
The symbol of the swastika in the decoration of Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple
On the stone lattices and in the decorative panels of the temple, the image of the swastika is repeated many times. In the ancient Indian language Sanskrit, the word "swastika" means "well-being". This symbol has been used for millennia by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. In Indian cultural tradition, the swastika is a solar symbol denoting light, the movement of the sun and connection with good.
In the decoration of the Delhi temple of Shri Lakshmi Narayan, the swastika performs its traditional function of an auspicious symbol and is organically incorporated into the ornamental row along with images of the sun. In the 20th century, this ancient symbol, which has a centuries-old history in the cultures of many peoples, was distorted and used as the emblem of Nazi Germany. However, in the Indian cultural context, the swastika continues to retain its traditional positive meaning.
Conducting services at Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Rituals and services (aarti) are held daily at the temple. The aarti schedule includes morning service, midday and evening service. During these ceremonies, bhajans are performed and prayers are held.
Tourists can observe the rituals, following the established rules: before entering, it is necessary to remove shoes, clothing should cover shoulders and knees. The temple is open for visits daily. Entrance to the temple is free. Photography and video shooting inside the temple is prohibited.
Park behind Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple
The temple complex territory includes a park with an artificial landscape, fountains and cascading waterfalls. Here, in the silence and coolness, your gaze will be struck by an artfully created stone cascade with murmuring waterfalls. But the greatest joy for children and adults — sculptures with which one can interact.
On the park territory you can walk through artificial caves, the entrance to which is designed in the form of the gaping mouth of a huge crocodile or lion — this is one of the most "Instagrammable" places of the temple. In the center of the pond rises the statue of the serpent god Sheshnaga, and throughout the park are placed statues of saints, heroes and mythical characters.
Among the stone sculptures one can recognize the images of legendary warriors — Rani Lakshmi Bai and Maharana Pratap. This park is an ideal place for contemplation or a leisurely walk, allowing you to forget for a while about the bustle of the metropolis.
Visiting Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple is recommended in the morning or evening, when the main services are held and the daytime heat subsides. The time for visiting the complex is from one to two hours, including a walk through the park. When visiting, it is necessary to observe the dress code rules and take into account the ban on photography inside the sanctum. The temple is located in the central part of the city, accessible by metro and taxi.
