Lakshmi Narayan Temple

The Birla Mandir has been built by the ‘Birla family’, the famous industrialist family of India. The construction of the temple began in 1970. It took 26 years to complete the indelible structure. The temple was inaugurated on the 21st of February, 1996 by Dr. Karan Singh. The Pran Prathistha ceremony of the idols was done by Swami Chidananda Maharaj. The temple is dedicated to the consortium of Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha.

The magnificent Birla Mandir of Kolkata is an exemplary work of art. It is one of the finest architectural beauties of the city. The indigenous craftsmanship of the temple is the hallmark of its grandeur. It represents a beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary art.
The Temple is spread over 44 kathas of land. The height of the temple is 160 feet. It is designed by the architect Nomi Bose. The structure of the temple resembles the famous Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar. There is a pictorial depiction of messages from Bhagavad Gita in its stone engravings and some intricate Rajasthani temple architecture. The exterior of the temple is built of sandstone, whereas the interiors are plated with white marbles. Sculptors were called from Agra, Mirzapur and Muzaffarpur to sculpt the beautiful and unique patterns on the walls. There are some artifacts in the temple which are made of silver and Belgian glass. The total cost incurred to build the temple was Rs. 180 million.
The sight of Birla Mandir in Kolkata at the dusk is amazing. It is lit up with electric diyas and sparkling chandeliers. Many people visit the temple in the evening. The temple is managed strictly by the care-takers. Visitors are not allowed to take photos or videos of the temple. Carrying bags and mobile phones inside the temple is strictly prohibited. Wandering around the verandah is also not allowed. This wonderful creation attracts a large number of people from all over India and abroad. It is one of the famous tourist spot in Kolkata that one must not miss.