The Birla Mandir or the Lakshmi Narayan Temple is one of the most popular holy places in Delhi. Truly, it is one of the most graceful spiritual zones of the city , an escapade into the world of inner freedom. A destination where spirituality perpetuates and the life-spring of devotion flows with the divine passion to purify the soul.

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.

It was built by eminent industrialist Raja Baldev Birla. This temple is dedicated to Lakshmi , the goddess of wealth and Narayana , the preserver of this universe. It took nearly six years to construct this temple. The serene and piously enchanting surroundings awaken every soul from the slumber of this material world.