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Birla Mandir

The Laxmi Narayan Mandir (temple) built by B.D. Birla is a modern Hindu temple dedicated to Laxmi (goddess of wealth) and Narayana (the preserver). It was inaugurated by Gandhi with the stipulation that it should be open to all castes (including the untouchables) and all faiths, so it is more welcoming to foreigners than the average temple. After visiting so many ancient Hindu temples, it was fun to see a modern functioning one. The whole temple was quite garish, and noisy with chants over the loud speaker system, but it was also strangely peaceful. In the garden there was a tree wound with colored strings, and two women were praying at the foot.This temple was built over a six year period (1933 - 1939) and was opened by Mahatma Gandhi.

The highest tower in the temple reaches a height of 165 feet while the ancillary towers reach 116 feet. The Geeta Bhavan, a hall is adorned with beautiful paintings depicting scenes from Indian mythology. There is also a temple dedicated to Buddha in this complex with fresco paintings describing his life and work. The entire complex, especially the walls and the upper gallery are full of paintings carried out by artists from Jaipur in Rajasthan. The rear of the temple has been developed as an artificial mountainous landscape with fountains and waterfalls.

This is one of the landmarks in the nation's capital New Delhi. It was built in the 20th century by the Birla family of industrialists known for its many other temples in India. It is modern in concept and construction. It attracts several devotees and international tourists. The presiding deity here is Lakshmi Narain (Vishnu).

Major Temples in North India
	Akshar Dham		Kashi Vishwanath Temple
	Bahai Temple		Khajuraho Temples
	Baijnath Temple		Lotus Temple
	Birla Mandir		Naina Devi Temple
	Bodhi Temple		Omkareshwar Temple
	Chattarpur Mandir		Shankracharya Temple
	Dilwara Temple		Somnath Temple
	Dwarkadhish Temple		Sun Temple - Konark
	Eklingji Temple		Sun Temple - Modhera
	Golden Temple		Vaishno Devi
	Jwalamukhi Temple