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The magnificent Birla Mandir of Kolkata, located in Ballygunge area of the city, is an exemplary work of art & architecture. It is one of the finest architectural beauties of the city of Kolkata.
The indigenous craftsmanship of the temple is the hallmark of its grandeur. It represents a beautiful unique blend of traditional and contemporary art.
The temple is also a revered Hindu place of worship and devotion. Thousands of people from various parts of India come here to offer their prayers especially on the day of Janmashtami (Birthday of Hindu God Krishna).
During the festive months, when the temple and its surroundings are illuminated with lights, the temple looks spectacularly beautiful. The best time to visit this beautiful temple, is in the evening during evening Aarti, when the temple made of white marble is at its glittering best.
The serene and sublime atmosphere of the temple offers tremendous peace and tranquility to the mind of the visiting devotees. It is one of the most visited tourist spots of modern day Kolkata.
History of Birla Temple ( Birla Mandir ) of Kolkata :
The Birla Mandir has been built by the prestigious Birla family, the famous Industrialist family of India. The construction of the temple began in 1970 & it took 26 years to complete the marvelous structure.
The Prana Prathistha ceremony of the idols was done by Swami Chidananda Maharaj. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his divine beloved Radha.
The marvelous architecture of the temple is based on the stunningly beautiful intricate Rajasthani style of architecture. The entire temple has been constructed with sandstone and white marble.
The interiors of the temple are laid with exquisite marble carvings that depict Shlokas and pictorial engravings from the Hindu Scripture Bhagavad Gita.
The engraving is spectacularly captivating. The ceiling of the temple is decorated with breath-taking chandeliers and electric Diyas ( Traditional Indian Lamps) that add dazzling luster to the interiors.
The architecture of the temple is partly inspired from the Laxmi Narayan Temple and Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar.
Apart from the beautiful Radha-Krishna idols, the idols of the Hindu God of destruction Shiva and Mother Goddess Durga have also been installed inside the Sanctum.
The Birla Mandir depicts the ideals of Hinduism as enshrined in the Immortal Hindu Scriptures Vedas and Upanishads, and the practical application of these Vedic ideals to day to day life.
