Birla Mandir - Hyderabad

The Birla Mandir - Hyderabad is a modern temple on the top of a hill. It is built out of white marble. The Birla Group of Industries in India has built several temples across the country. All the temples are very beautiful. The one in Hyderabad is no exception. The deity residing here is Venkateswara, one among the many forms of Lord Vishnu.

The Birla Temple exhibits a beautiful blend of architectural styles. The Rajagopuram, which is built in the South Indian style, welcomes the visitors. There is a tower over the main shrine of Venkateswara, which is called Jagadananda vimanam. It is built in the Orissa style of architecture. The other towers have been built in the South Indian style.

The main deity is made out of granite and is about eleven feet tall. A carved lotus acts as an umbrella for this image of Venkateswara. In the adjacent hall, ‘mukha mandapam', there are marvelous architectural works engraved in marble. These depict scenes from Indian mythology. The white temple looks like a beautiful dreamland at nights.

Apart from the presiding deity, there are other shrines in the temple. The images of Padmavathi and Andal, consorts of Lord Venkateswara are to be found in separate shrines.

The modern temple, Birla Mandir, is modern in its construction; it follows the traditional ways of offering ‘puja' to the deities. Among the traditional ‘puja' rules, the Pancharatra Agama in particular is followed religiously.