Birla Mandir Kolkata

Birla Mandir is a stunning structure that adorns the streets of Ballygunge, Kolkata dedicated to Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha. An imposing structure amalgamating the traditional style of architecture with modern reflections, the temple is the perfect specimen of craftsmanship and engineering genius.

The construction of this splendid edifice began in the year 1970 and after meticulous work spanning over 26 years, it reached its completion on 21st February 1996. The unique patterns on the wall of the temple are sculpted by the artisans specially called Agra, Mirzapur, and Muzaffarpur. Although the chief deities of the temple are Krishna and Radha, other Gods revered here are Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, Lord Shiva, ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Durga.

The magnificent structure of the Birla Temple is hard to miss once you reach its vicinity. Towering domes covered in intricate stonework and design adorn the main facade of the temple, while the complex itself is a pearl-white marble marvel. In addition to these, some artifacts in the temple are made up of silver and Belgian glass which impart a unique divinity to the shrine. As dusk approaches, the beautiful Birla Mandir sight to behold is adorned with electric diyas and gleaming chandeliers.

The continuous chanting and soft music only add to its spiritual charm. With spectacular architecture, devotees and visitors come here from all around the globe, especially during Janmashtami which is celebrated here with great vigor.

History of Birla Mandir Kolkata

The Birla Mandir has been built by the ‘Birla family’, the famous industrialist family of India. The construction of the temple began in 1970 and 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.

Architecture of Birla Mandir Kolkata

The exterior of the Birla Mandir complex has been conjured out of sandstone, while the interior is ornamented with white marble. Designed by the architect Nomi Bose, the structure is 160 feet tall and is spread across 44 kathas of land area. Its inspiration is said to have been drawn from the famous Lingaraj Temple and Laxmi Narayan temple of Bhubaneshwar.

Its walls depict the pictorial presentation of shlokas and scenes from Bhagavad Geeta engraved on the stone along with intricate Rajasthani-style designs. The electric diyas and stunning chandeliers adorning the ceiling are the perfect specimens of ultimate craftsmanship. Apart from the idols of Radha - Krishna, idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga have also been installed inside the sanctum.