BIRLA MANDIR

BIRLA MANDIR

Almost all temples in South India have an ancient history behind it. Unlike these temples, a Hindu temple of Lord Venkateshwara is decorated in Hyderabad. A century old, this temple was built by Birlas, the well-known industrialists. Yes, we are talking about the family attraction and favorite of all Hyderabadis, Birla Temple. Although the temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara with his two wives, the goddesses Padmavathi and the goddesses Andal, it takes the name of Birlas like Birla Mandir or temple of Birla. The temple resides in a hill called Kala Pahad, one of Naubat Pahad's twins.

The temple is built entirely with white marbles (about 70 tons) brought from Rajasthan. It took about ten years to build this temple. The temple gathers the architectural style of Rajasthani, Utkal and other temples of South India. The main temple is built in Utkal temple style while the Lord s two consort's temple is built according to the South Indian architectural style. Before entering the main sanctorum sanctuary, there is a four-storey rajagopuram (the main tower) built in the garudalaya style of the temples of southern India. 

The intricate carved structure beyond the Gopuram represents the style of the Dilwara temple while the Jagadananda Vimanam or the main tower resembles the architecture of the Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar. At 42 feet tall dhwaja stambham made of brass, stands before the presiding deity, just outside the main temple. Unlike the idols seen in the temples built by the Birlas, which are made of white marble, this temple has an idol that is carved in black granite brought from Phirangipuram in the district of Guntur. The granite used was specially extracted and transported to Hyderabad for this purpose. The eleven-foot-tall idol of Lord Venkateshwara is found gracefully in the main sanctum sanctorum.

Upon entering this main sanctum sanctorum, just above the main statue of the Lord, you can see a lotus-shaped cover made of marble. This is super carved and illuminated at night. There is a mukha mandapam which is full of sculptures and scenes showing some of the episodes of Ramayana and Mahabharata.