Birla Temple in Rajasthan
home / pilgrimage in rajasthan / birla temple
The Birla Temple in Jaipur, though a recent structure, is a popular pilgrimage site owing to its beautiful architecture and its multifaith approach. The temple is also known as the Laxminarayan Temple. It was built in 1988 on land that was donated by the then Maharaja of Jaipur. The Birla Temple is famed for its representation of philosophers, saints, and deities from all faiths. Socrates, Christ, Confucius, the Buddha, and Zarathustra are some of those represented here.

The interiors of the Birla Temple are lovely, done in marble. The exteriors are done in stone. The temple is crowded most days with devotees and tourists. If you are not sure of the temple outlay, you can hire English-speaking guides from here. They will also explain the significance of the entities and events depicted here.

The Birla Temple is like a walking tour into the past, culture, and consciousness of India. The beautiful statue of Lord Ganesh, the playful god who is invoked by many Indians before starting out on an important project or journey, stands on a high beam within the temple entrance. The statue of Laxminarayan was crafted out of a single piece of marble. Other deities represented here are Krishna, Sita and Ram.

Because the temple houses so many deities, it is but natural that any event or festival related to any of them should be celebrated here. So during Janmastami, a festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, the entire temple is decorated with lights, and evening worship is arranged.

Another unique feature of this temple is the stained glass windows. These windows are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also depict events from Indian mythology. If you are not familiar with them, it is a good idea to take the help of a guide.

A good time to be in the Birla Temple is during the evening prayers. The temple is lighted up, and offers a splendid sight from miles away. The deities are dressed up in their finery to enable them to meet their devotees. The deities are housed in the inner chambers of the temple, and none but the priests are allowed to touch them.

The temple complex is located on a sprawling, well maintained lawn. The lovely architecture, couple with the lush surroundings, are enough to bring peace to the soul of the seeker. The atmosphere of devotion and secular tolerance add to the first impression, making a pilgrimage to Birla Temple an experience to remember.