The tourist spots of New Delhi include some of the best known mosques, temples, churches, Gurdwaras, and places of worship of other religions. New Delhi is a cosmopolitan city inhabited by a large number of people belonging to different communities and religions. Many of these are counted among the tourist attractions of New Delhi. The Lakshminarayan temple is undoubtedly one of the best known temples in New Delhi. Along with the Jami Masjid and the Lotus temple, this magnificent temple is one of the best sites that tourism in New Delhi has to offer.

The Lakshminarayan temple in New Delhi was built in 1938 by Raja Baldev Das Birla and has been standing proudly as one of the major attractions of Delhi. The Birla Family, one of the leading industrialists of India, took over the responsibility of building the temple, as part of their well known patronage of temples and other institutions all over the country. The temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. He did so, on condition that people of all castes will be allowed in the temple, which has been maintained till date.

This magnificent Hindu temple is made up of red sandstone, and white marble, traditional building materials used in Mughul buildings in Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. The exterior of the temple reflects temple architecture of Orissa. The high spires, spacious halls and corridors are the main features of the temple. The main spire rises to about 160 feet over the sanctum sanctorum. The east facing temple is adorned with magnificent carvings and sculptures depicting Hindu mythological themes. Many deities held in importance by the Hindus have been enshrined here. The chief deities are of course, Lord Narayan, the preserver of this world and his consort Goddess Lakshmi, the giver of wealth and prosperity. The serene ambience maintained in the temple is as much an attraction here as the temple�s architecture and grandeur.

The splendid works of art in the form of sculptures and paintings adorn the interior of the Lakshminarayan temple in Delhi. It is said that one hundred and one learned men, pundits, were invited from Varanasi to oversee the building of the temple, especially the appropriateness of the sculptures.

The other attractions of the temple include a beautiful Buddhist shrine, complete with frescoes depicting the life of Lord Buddha. The artificial landscape with mountains and waterfalls enthralls visitors, while the miniature rock cut temples are quite popular among the children.

The ideal time to visit the Lakshminarayan temple is during the major Hindu festivals, such as Janmashtami, holi, and deepawali. The temple is beautifully decorated during these occasions, presenting a spectacular sight. The daily aartis, or evening prayers are also worth watching. The chanting of mantras accompanied by the beats of drums and bells creates a thoroughly spiritual atmosphere.

The Lakshminarayan temple in New Delhi is located on Mandir Marg, about 1.5 kilometers from Connaught place. Tourists can reach the temple conveniently by hiring an auto rickshaw from Shivaji Stadium or Talkatora.

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