Nestled at the foothills of the Moti Dungri Hill in Jaipur, Birla Mandir or Lakshmi Narayan Temple is one of the finest and the most placid place of worship of the city. Conceived and erected by the well known Birla family in 1988, the grandiose structure made of white marble is dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu in his Lakshmi Narayan form and goddess Lakshmi. The state-of-art building, with subtle Indian architectural influences, is an eccentric departure from the fort and palace complexes that line the city’s sky.It is so arresting and commanding with its domed-shaped spires and detailed pillar work. Anyone can visit this temple irrespective of religion, as it features reliefs of men of letters, philosophers and gods, saints, scholars from all faiths inscribed on its interior walls, along with representations of diverse views. The glorious statue of Lord Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi, sculpted from pristine white marble, holds the center stage in the main chamber and attracts the eyes of devotees. The soothing gardens around Birla Mandir offer perfect repose, and the entire complex is illuminated during the evenings with elaborate lights and sounds, imbuing the site with a divine appeal. It is during festivals like Janmashtami and Diwali that many visitors throng to the temple for the evening aarti. In the immediate proximity of the Moti Dungri Fort and the Albert Hall Museum, Birla Mandir is a popular attraction, easily fitting into any tour schedule of Jaipur. A visit to Birla Mandir just before the sunset will be best to experience its delicate, gleaming, lustrous surface made of pure white marble.
