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Birla
Mandir or the Lakshmi - Narayan Temple , situated
just below the Moti Dungari. 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). This
great temple built of white marble on top
of a hill, dominating the skyline of south
Jaipur. This famous temple was built over
a six year period (1933 - 1939) and 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.
Architecture
The
highest tower in the temple reaches a height
of 165 feet while the ancillary towers reach
116 feet. The temple has been constructed
in white marble and has three domes, each
portraying the different approaches to religion.
The presiding deities here are Vishnu (One
of the Hindu Trilogy Gods) called Narayan
and his consort Lakshmi Goddess of wealth
and good fortune. The temple is built is white
in marble and exterior has carved sculptures
of various mythological themes and images
of saints. The interior has large panel in
marble of mythological proceedings. The images
of the deities are placed in the sanctum sanctorum.
Built on raised ground, it is surrounded by
large lush green gardens.
The
Geeta Bhavan, a hall is adorned with beautiful
paintings depicting scenes from Indian mythology.
There is also a temple dedicated to Buddha
in this complex with fresco paintings describing
his work and life-style. The entire complex,
especially the upper gallery and the walls
are full of paintings carried out by artists
from Jaipur in Rajasthan. The rear of the
temple has been developed as an artificial
mountainous landscape with fountains and waterfalls.
