History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Activities, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Birla Temple, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Birla Mandir, also known as Birla Temple, is a Hindu temple located in Hyderabad, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, who is a form of Lord Vishnu, and is made entirely of white marble.
The construction of Birla Mandir began in 1964 and was completed in 1976. The temple was built by the Birla Foundation, which is a philanthropic organization established by the Birla family. The temple is located on a 280 feet high hill called Naubat Pahad, which overlooks the city of Hyderabad.
The architecture of the temple is a blend of North Indian and South Indian styles, and it features intricate carvings and sculptures. The temple complex also includes several smaller shrines dedicated to other Hindu deities, including Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Saraswati.
The temple is open to people of all faiths and is a popular tourist destination in Hyderabad. It is particularly beautiful to visit at night when it is illuminated, providing a stunning view of the cityscape. Visitors are required to remove their shoes before entering the temple, and photography is not allowed inside the temple complex.
History of Birla Temple, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
The Birla Mandir in Hyderabad was built by the Birla Foundation, a philanthropic organization established by the Birla family, one of the most prominent business families in India. The foundation was established with the aim of promoting education, healthcare, and cultural heritage.
The idea for the construction of the temple was conceived in 1964, and the foundation purchased a 13-acre land on Naubat Pahad, a hill that overlooks the city of Hyderabad. The construction of the temple took around 10 years, and it was inaugurated in 1976 by Swami Ranganathananda, the then President of Ramakrishna Mission.
The architecture of the temple is a blend of North Indian and South Indian styles, with influences from Rajasthani, Utkala, and Dravidian architecture. The temple is made entirely of white marble, which was sourced from the town of Makrana in Rajasthan. The construction of the temple involved the efforts of several renowned sculptors, artisans, and craftsmen.
The Birla Mandir is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, who is a form of Lord Vishnu, and there are also several smaller shrines dedicated to other deities such as Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Saraswati within the temple complex. The temple is open to visitors of all faiths, and it is a popular tourist destination in Hyderabad.
Timing of Birla Temple, Hyderabad
The Birla Mandir in Hyderabad is generally open to visitors from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the morning and then again from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the evening every day of the week, including weekends and public holidays.
However, it's always a good idea to confirm the timings before visiting the temple as they may be subject to change on special occasions or during festivals. Visitors are also advised to arrive early to avoid crowds, especially during weekends and peak tourist seasons.
It's worth noting that there may be restrictions on entry to the temple during certain religious rituals and ceremonies. Additionally, visitors are required to dress modestly and remove their shoes before entering the temple complex. Photography is also not allowed inside the temple.
Architecture of Birla Temple, Hyderabad
The architecture of Birla Mandir in Hyderabad is a blend of North Indian and South Indian styles, with influences from Rajasthani, Utkala, and Dravidian architecture. The temple is made entirely of white marble, which was sourced from the town of Makrana in Rajasthan.
The main shrine of the temple, which is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, is located on a high platform and features a tall, ornate shikara (tower) that is characteristic of North Indian temples. The shikara is decorated with intricate carvings of Hindu deities, and it is topped by a golden spire.
The temple also features several smaller shrines dedicated to other deities, including Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Saraswati. These shrines are designed in the South Indian style and feature colorful, ornate gopurams (entrance towers) that are common in South Indian temples.
The walls of the temple are adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and history. The carvings are executed in a variety of styles, including relief carving, screen carving, and panel carving. The temple also features several large, free-standing sculptures of Hindu deities, including Lord Vishnu and his incarnations.
How to reach Birla Temple, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
As Hyderabad is capital and one of the most important of India, thus it is very well connected via Air, Rail, and Road network. Hyderabad has domestic and International Airport from where you can get flights to almost all cities of world. From Airport, taxis and bus services are easily available to reach in city area. By road Hyderabad is easily reachable by private vehicle or state transport bus from all major cities south India. It has major railway station so tourist can reach here from all the major cities of India via railway.