Birla Mandir of Kolkata is an exemplary work of art. It is one of the finest architectural beauties of the city. The indigenous craftsmanship of the temple is the hallmark of its grandeur. It represents a beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary art.
Shrine’s History
The Birla Mandir has been built by the Birla family, the famous industrialist family of India. The construction of the temple began in 1970. It took 26 years to complete the indelible structure. The temple was inaugurated on the 21st of February, 1996 by Dr Karan Singh. The Pran Prathistha ceremony of the idols was done by Swami Chidananda Maharaj. The temple is dedicated to the consortium of Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The marvellous architecture of the temple is the work of intricate Rajasthani style of architecture. The entire temple has been constructed with sandstone and white marble. The manner in which the layering and decoration of the temple facades have been done is a pointer to the high degree of skill involved during the construction process. The interiors of the temple are laid with exquisite marble carvings that depict shlokas and pictorial engravings from the Bhagavat Gita. The engraving is spectacularly eye-catching.
The ceiling of the temple is bedecked with breath-taking chandeliers and electric diyas that add marvellous luster and shine to the interior. The colossal structure stands at 160 feet above the ground and is spread over 44 kathas of land. The architectural pattern of the temple is partly inspired by the Laxmi Narayan Temple and Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar. Apart from the beautiful Radha-Krishna idols, the idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga have also been installed inside the sanctum. The Birla Mandir depicts the ideals of Hinduism as enshrined in the Vedas and Upanishads and their application to everyday life.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Birla Temple can be easily accessible by hiring the auto, bus or taxi from anywhere in the Kolkata state or from neighbouring state.
By Rail
The nearest railway station to Birla temple is Shalimar Railway Station which is 5 km away from Birla Temple. The nearest Metro Station from Birla Temple is Maidan.
By Air
The nearest airport to Birla Temple is Netaji Subhash Chandra bose international airport , Kolkata which is 16 km away from Birla Temple .
Shrine Timings
All days of the week 5:00 AM – 11:30 AM 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Janmashtami
Extra Information About this Shrine
Best time to visit Birla Temple can be visited at any time of the year.