Birla Mandir Hyderabad

The Birla Mandir in Hyderabad forms a pleasant serene atmosphere and is a perfect place for those who wish to get away from city life and immerse themselves in prayer and meditation. The Mandir is dedicated to the Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala and is modeled after and is the replica of the idol of Balaji of Tirupati.

Created in 1976 by Swami Renganathananda from Ramakrishna Ashram and constructed by the Birla Foundation, the Birla Mandir has been a haven for all those looking for a few hours of peace amongst the glorious landscape. The temple itself is located at the top of a 280 feet tall hill called the Naubat Pahad that overlooks both, Hyderabad and Secunderabad as well as the Hussain Sagar Lake and is one of the best viewpoints in the city.

The main idol in the Birla Mandir is eleven feet tall and made entirely of white marble, approximately 2000 tonnes from Rajasthan, making it a truly majestic sight to behold. The idol is also covered by a carved lotus canopy made of granite stone which vastly contrasts with the marble of the idol.

History of Birla Mandir

The idol of the main deity, Lord Venkateshwara, Looks exactly like Tirupati Balaji. The idol of Lord Venkateshwara is about eleven feet tall with a lotus roof carved above, adding to the fascinating beauty of the deity. The statue was carved out of granite stone. The idol of Lord Venkateshwara is sculpted in Oriya Style. It is said that this temple is sanctified in 1976 by Swami Ranganathananda of Ramakrishna Ashram. Swami Ranganathananda has considered this temple as a place that can also be suitable for meditation.

Because of his wishes, Birla Mandir in Hyderabad has no bells. There are also sanctuaries of other Hindu divinities such as Andal and Padmavati. A temple of Lord Buddha is also present inside the temple complex, which has been adorned with paintings depicting his life and works. It also has sanctuaries for other Hindu gods and goddesses like Sai Baba, Shiva, Saraswati, Hanuman, Brahma, Shakti, Lakshmi, and Ganesh. There is an engraving on the walls showing Gurbani and various teachings of the revered saints. As the Birla Mandir is located on the top of the hill, which at one time was one of the highest places in the city, be prepared for some climbing.

Architecture of Birla Mandir

The architectural style of the Birla temple is a mixture of styles of North Indian and South Indian temple architecture. The tower of the temple or the “Gopuram” presents the salient features of the temples of the south of India. The Jagadananda Vimanam built at the top of the sanctum sanctorum resembles the Oriya style of temple architecture. It took ten years of dedication and hard work of sculptors and craftsmen to complete the construction of this temple.

The Birla Mandir Pavilion, 42 feet high, is made of brass. The scenes from the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata are engraved on the walls and ceilings of the temple. The statues of the divinities belonging to Hindu mythology are from the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

The sight of the city from the temple is worth every effort. Visitors can see the waters of Lake Hussain Sagar, offering scenic views of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. There is a free locker facility available at the temple. It is best to drop all your belongings there before embarking on your march towards this captivating white temple of Lord Venkateshwara. You can visit the temple at any time. In the morning, the cool breeze, the quiet environment, and the song of the birds greet you by seeking the blessing of the gods.