Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple in Hyderabad has Lord Venkateswara as its deity and has been constructed by Birla Foundation and hence called Birla Mandir.
Why visit Birla Mandir?
- Birla Mandir is a Hindu temple located in Hyderabad, India. The temple is constructed of white marble and is adorned with beautiful carvings.
- The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and is a popular tourist destination.
- Visitors to the temple can enjoy the beautiful architecture, the peaceful atmosphere, and the opportunity to learn about Hindu culture and religion.
- The temple is open to all, irrespective of caste or creed, and is a must-visit for anyone visiting Hyderabad.
- Visitors to the temple can also enjoy the stunning views of the city from the temple complex.
The History of Birla Mandir:
This temple is completely made of pure white marble sourced from Rajasthan, and more than 2000 tonnes of marble has been used in its construction.
Birla Mandir is located on top of Naubat Pahad, a hill, at 280 feet and faces Hussain Sagar lake, and gives a 360-degree view of the city.
The temple’s architectural style has a fusion of North Indian, South Indian, and East Indian architecture.
The construction of this temple took 10 years, and it was consecrated by Swami Ranganathananda of Ramakrishna Mission in 1976. The temple is devoid of any bells as Swami Ranganathananda wanted the temple environment apt for meditation.
The flagstaff of this Lord Venkateshwara temple is made of brass and extends to a height of 42 feet.
The statue of the idol is carved out of granite and is 11 feet in height with a canopy carved as a lotus, making it visually appealing and is considered a replica of Lord Balaji of Tirupati.
This temple also has separate shrines of other deities too like Ganesh, Saraswati, Shakti, Lakshmi, Shiva, Hanuman, Brahma, Padmavati, Buddha, Andal, and Sai Baba.
You can also find engravings of scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata and hymns from the Gurbani, the sacred text of the Sikhs, on the walls and ceiling.
Trivia:
1. During the Mughal era, the Mughals had set up a drum house on Naubat Pahad as a point of communication for the soldiers stationed on the other side of the hill in the large open space.
Tips:
1. Avoid going in harsh sunlight as the marble can get really hot.
2. Don’t carry any stuff such as a mobile phone, or umbrella, etc., as nothing is allowed inside. And if you are carrying them, you can deposit them at the free locker.
3. There are about 200 odd steps leading to the temple. In case you have an issue with climbing steps, a lift is available.
3. There is a severe parking problem at the temple. Hence, it is advisable to park your cars at the foot of the hill near the Legislative Assembly and walk to the temple, which should take about a couple of minutes.
4. There is a Birla Science Museum, a Birla Planetarium, and an archeological museum on the same hill, which is definitely a must-see.
5. Go to the temple at night. It looks amazing when lit up.
Entry Cost:
No entry fee to the temple.
Timings on all days:
7 am to 12 p.m.
3 pm to 9 pm.
Address of the temple:
Birla Mandir
Hill Fort Rd,
Hyderabad, Telangana -500004,
India
Phone:
040 – 23233259
What to do next?
Check out my article on 41 amazing places to visit in Hyderabad
