Famous Temples of Delhi

The <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace><st1laceName>Akshardham</st1laceName> <st1laceType>Temple</st1laceType></st1lace> was built in 2005. It is recognized as the largest <st1lace><st1laceName>Hindu</st1laceName> <st1laceType>Temple</st1laceType></st1lace> complex in the world, according to the Guinness World Record Committee.

This <st1lace><st1laceName>Akshardham</st1laceName> <st1laceType>Temple</st1laceType></st1lace> is a replica of the Akshardham Temple of Ahmedabad. This temple was built by HDH Pramukh Swaami Maharaj.

It is located in the south of ITO. It is a grand monument that rises elegantly. It is situated in the banks of River Yamuna over 100 acres of land. The temple is indeed an emblem of exquisite beauty.

“Akshardham” means the eternal and divine abode of God Almighty.

The temple does not have the use of steel.

 

Oh, yes. I have visited the Akshardham Temple. It belongs to the Swami Narayan sect. The sculptures on the Akshardham Temple are to be seen to be believed. I think the detailed stone sculptures on the pillars and the roof are only rivalled by the Dilwara temples in Mount Abu.
The Akshardham temple conducts tours of the premises.This includes a boat ride on the artificial pond on the premises and an audio visual film.
There is even a eatery which serves great vegetarian dishes. Entry to the temple closes at 6 pm. The temple is served by frequent bus services as well as the Delhi Metro. The Commonwealth Games village is coming up near it.

 

Yes, Laxminarayan Mandir is one of the greatest temples and landmarks of Delhi. It was built by Mr. B.D. Birla of the Birla Group of Industries, during 1933 to 1939. This temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1939. Till today, the funds to maintain the temple come from the Birla family.

At the time of inauguration, Gandhiji emphasised that this particular temple would not be restricted to only the Hindus and people from every caste should be allowed to enter.

The architecture of the temple is derived from the Orissan style. It is made of red sandstone and looks majestic.

 

I have visited the Kalkaji Temple a couple of times. It is located beyond the commercial complex of Nehru Place in South Delhi. This temple is devoted to Goddess Kalka Devi, who is a reincarnation of Goddess Durga.

This temple is a domed twelve-sided structure. I have heard that the oldest section of the Kalkaji Mandir dates back to the year 1734. It is believed that the Maratha rulers looted the temple in 1738, after their defeat in the hands of the Mughals, in the battle of Talkatora. Raja Kedarnath, later, carried out certain changes and additions in the temple structure, sometime around the mid-19<SUP>th</SUP> century.

 

The Kalkaji temple adjacent to the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1laceName w:st="on">Lotus</st1laceName> <st1laceType w:st="on">Temple</st1laceType>, near <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Nehru Place</st1:address></st1:Street> in South Delhi is one of the oldest and most important temples in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">New Delhi</st1lace></st1:City>. The temple is said to be about 3000 years old and even the Pandavas are said to have worshipped here.
Hundreds of devotees from all walks of life not only from <st1lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Delhi</st1:City></st1lace> but also the NCR region make it a point to have darshan of the goddess Kalka or kali who is an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The crowds during Navratri fortnight is to be seen to be believed. A large fair is organized during the Navratri which has all the trappings of a mela with everything from trinkets to the giant wheel on offer.

 

Raja Kedarnath was the treasurer of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. But, still, the temple has a very contemporary appearance. The temple gains special significance during Navratras.

The Kalkaji Temple has been built of marble and black pumice stones. The entire structure is very plain and simple. It is devoid of any ostentation.

The idol is bathed with milk in the morning. An aarti is conducted in the evening.

Visitors can purchase sweets, flowers and incense sticks from the vendors sitting adjacent the temple entrance.

There is an inn in the backyard of the main building. It is called the Kali Dharamshala.

 

The <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace w:st="on"><st1laceName w:st="on">Chattarpur</st1laceName> <st1laceType w:st="on">Temple</st1laceType></st1lace> is famous for its golden idol of Devi Durga or Goddess Katyayani. This particular idol is exhibited only during Navratri/ Durga Puja or on Purnima. Besides the main temple there are also a number of temples inside the complex, dedicated to other Gods and Goddesses, for example Lord Vishnu, Ganesha, Lakshmi and Shiva.
There is a popular belief, that if you make a wish and tie a thread on the tree inside the Mandir , your wish will come true. I had the good fortune of getting darshan of Baba Nagpal ji or Babaji when I was a kid. Today, Babaji is no more. But his dream temple stands tall and magnificent. Lakhs of devotees flock to the mandir every year.

 

This is an interesting thread. During my last visit to Delhi, I paid a visit to both the ISKCON Temple and the Akshardham Temple. Here are a few lines about the ISKCON temple.
The ISKCON Temple (short for International Society for Krishna Consciousness) located at Hari Krishna Hill, East of Kailash, New Delhi. It is quite close to the Sapna Cinema area. It was built in 1998 and is indeed a lavishly built magnificent structure. The <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace w:st="on"><st1laceType w:st="on">temple</st1laceType> <st1laceName w:st="on">Shikharas</st1laceName></st1lace> reach up to a height of 90 feet.
The ISKCON temple was built by the followers of 'Hare-Rama Hare-Krishna' cult. I would like to make a special mention of a Robot, built especially to enact and preach the timeless philosophy of the ‘Holy Gita'. The temple remains opens every day from 4.30 am to 12:00 pm and from 4.00pm to 9.00pm.