Laxminarayan Temple (Birla Mandir)

The Laxminarayan Temple, better known as Birla Mandir, is a Hindu temple on Mandir Marg in New Delhi dedicated to Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity, and her consort Narayan, a form of Vishnu. It was built by the Birla industrialist family between 1933 and 1939 and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1939.

Gandhi agreed to open the Laxminarayan Temple on the condition that people of every caste would be allowed in, which at the time was a statement against untouchability. The temple is built in the Nagara style of north India, with tall curved spires in cream and red, and it was one of the first large Hindu temples in the new capital. Birla Mandir remains an active place of worship, busiest at the morning and evening aarti and at festivals such as Janmashtami and Diwali, when it is lit up and crowded.

What to see

• The main shrine of Lakshmi and Narayan
• Side shrines to Shiva, Krishna, Hanuman and the Buddha
• Marble halls painted with scenes from Hindu scripture
• The Gita Bhawan hall
• The gardens and fountains behind the temple

What to wear

Birla Mandir expects modest dress, with shoulders and knees covered. Shoes are removed and left at the counter by the entrance; the marble is hot in summer and cold in winter, so socks help. Leather belts and bags are best left behind. Phones and cameras must also be deposited. In Delhi you will see women in salwar kameez and sarees and men in kurta pyjama, especially at festivals and weddings.

Local food to try

Gole Market, a short walk away, has simple eateries for chole bhature, chaat and samosa. Connaught Place, about 2 km east, has restaurants serving South Indian thali and dosa, Delhi's butter chicken and dal makhani. The temple area itself is strictly vegetarian.

Good to know

• Best from October to March; morning or evening aarti is the most atmospheric
• Open daily, early morning to night, with a break around midday
• Free entry
• Allow 45 minutes to an hour
• About 2 km west of Connaught Place; RK Ashram Marg metro station is nearby
• No photography inside; phones and cameras must be deposited

Nearby places

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is about 1.5 km south-east, and Rashtrapati Bhavan is about 2 km south, at the head of Kartavya Path.