Laxminarayan Temple (Birla Mandir), New Delhi
लक्ष्मी नारायण मंदिर
Lakshmi and Narayana (Vishnu) temple · New Delhi (Mandir Marg, near Gole Market), New Delhi, Delhi, India
The Laxminarayan Temple, widely known as the Birla Mandir, is a Hindu temple on Mandir Marg near Gole Market, west of Connaught Place in New Delhi (Delhi Tourism). It is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and Narayana, the preserver (Delhi Tourism; National Heritage Board, Singapore), and Delhi Tourism counts it among the city's major temples and visitor attractions (Delhi Tourism).
The temple was completed in 1939 and was opened by Mahatma Gandhi (Delhi Tourism; National Heritage Board, Singapore). Its grounds are spread over about 7.5 acres (India TV).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Laxminarayan Temple (Birla Mandir), New Delhi
Gandhi agreed to open the temple only on the condition that it would admit everyone; the National Heritage Board record describes this as entry for non-Hindus and for Hindus of every community (Delhi Tourism; National Heritage Board, Singapore).
The temple is one of the main places in Delhi for Janmashtami and draws thousands of devotees on the festival (India TV). It is among the temples around which Delhi Police put special traffic and security arrangements in place for Janmashtami (Outlook).
Heritage
History of Laxminarayan Temple (Birla Mandir), New Delhi
The temple was built between 1933 and 1939, and the National Heritage Board record credits its construction to Baldeo Das Birla (National Heritage Board, Singapore). Delhi Tourism instead names the industrialist J.K. Birla as the builder in 1939 (Delhi Tourism).
The architect Sris Chandra Chatterjee, who worked exclusively in what he called the Indian style, is credited with designing the Birla Mandir in Delhi in 1938 (India's World).
Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated the temple after its completion in 1939 (National Heritage Board, Singapore).
Architecture and sacred features
The temple is built in the North Indian Nagara style, whose chief feature is a tall central tower surrounded by smaller subsidiary towers (National Heritage Board, Singapore). Its walls carry carvings of scenes from Hindu mythology, and the complex also has shrines to other deities (National Heritage Board, Singapore).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
As listed by Delhi Tourism (checked October 2026), entry is free, the temple is open in a morning session and an afternoon-to-evening session, and photography, mobile phones and cameras are not allowed inside; confirm before travelling (Delhi Tourism). Delhi Tourism suggests visiting at the time of the morning or evening aarti (Delhi Tourism).
On Janmashtami, roads around the temple, including Mandir Marg and Mandir Lane, have been closed to vehicles under Delhi Police advisories (Outlook). Confirm current arrangements with the temple management and Delhi Traffic Police before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Laxminarayan Temple (Birla Mandir), New Delhi
Janmashtami
The temple draws thousands of devotees for Janmashtami (India TV), and Delhi Police restrict traffic on Mandir Marg and Mandir Lane around it for the celebrations (Outlook).
Location
How to Reach Laxminarayan Temple (Birla Mandir), New Delhi
The temple stands on Mandir Marg near Gole Market, to the west of Connaught Place, and the nearest Delhi Metro station is RK Ashram Marg (Delhi Tourism). Local buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis also serve the area (India TV).
Location: New Delhi (Mandir Marg, near Gole Market), New Delhi, Delhi, India
Nearest railway station: RK Ashram Marg Metro station (Delhi Metro)
More in Hindu temples in Delhi · Lakshmi and Narayana (Vishnu) temples · Temples in New Delhi District
Questions
Laxminarayan Temple (Birla Mandir), New Delhi: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Laxminarayan Temple the same as Birla Mandir in Delhi?
Yes. The Laxminarayan Temple on Mandir Marg is commonly called the Birla Mandir (Delhi Tourism; India's World).
Who is worshipped at the Birla Mandir in Delhi?
The temple is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and her consort Narayana (Delhi Tourism; National Heritage Board, Singapore). The complex also has shrines to other deities (National Heritage Board, Singapore).
Who opened the Birla Mandir and when?
Mahatma Gandhi opened the temple after its completion in 1939 (National Heritage Board, Singapore). He agreed to do so on the condition that the temple would be open to everyone (Delhi Tourism; National Heritage Board, Singapore).
Who built the Laxminarayan Temple?
Accounts differ: the National Heritage Board credits Baldeo Das Birla, who built it between 1933 and 1939, while Delhi Tourism names J.K. Birla (National Heritage Board, Singapore; Delhi Tourism). Sris Chandra Chatterjee is credited with its design (India's World).
What is the architectural style of the temple?
It follows the North Indian Nagara style, with a tall central tower surrounded by smaller towers, and carvings of scenes from Hindu mythology (National Heritage Board, Singapore).
What is the nearest metro station to Birla Mandir?
The nearest Delhi Metro station is RK Ashram Marg (Delhi Tourism; India TV).
Can I take photographs or a phone inside the temple?
Delhi Tourism lists photography, mobile phones and cameras as not allowed inside the temple (Delhi Tourism). Confirm current rules before visiting.
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Wikidata Q2426584 — structured data (CC0)
- Wikipedia — Laxminarayan Temple — text facts from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
- Delhi Tourism (Government of NCT of Delhi) — Birla Mandir
- National Heritage Board, Singapore (Roots.sg / National Museum of Singapore) — Laxminarayan Temple (collection record)
- India TV — Know where to celebrate Janmashtami in and around Delhi
- Outlook (PTI) — G20: Heightened Security Around Temples In Delhi For Janmashtami Festivities (PTI)
- India's World — Between the Nation and the World: Sris Chandra Chatterjee's Idea of Modern Indian Architecture
Further reading: Laxminarayan Temple (Birla Mandir), New Delhi on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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