Birla Mandir: God’s Marble Home

360° Panoramic Views
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If you are an early bird, you can catch the melodies of Venkateswara suprabhatam as early as 5:30 in the morning followed by devotional numbers of Annamacharya, Thyagaraja and Bhakta Ramadas. If you come for a second look in the evening, the whole temple complex is bathed in an aura of flood-lit glory. Temple rituals here are done according to agama shastras, the pancharatra agama in particular. Venkateswara temple on the hillock is a place where you are bound to forget grief and greed for the while you are there. The temple itself is cradled amidst tall and ancient trees, manicured and well-maintained lawns, and formal gardens. Birla Mandir is the centrepiece of the capital city’s skyline.

The approach to the temple is through a lane opposite the Reserve Bank, and once you trek this small patch, you reach the foot and both sides of a meandering stairway flanked by ornate banisters. On the way are several marble statues representing the Hindu pantheon. The temple manifests a blend of South Indian, Rajasthani and Utkal temple architectures. Before you reach the sanctum, several structures beginning with the baroque canopies at the foot of the stairway, greet you. The main temple is entered through the four-tiered rajagopuram built in the garudalaya style of South Indian temples. Beyond the rajagopuram swings into presence the great Dilwara temple-style gallery dwarfing nearly every other structure by its intricately carved detail.