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Kolkata is an immensely attention-grabbing tourist destination, due to the existence of numerous sites, of prodigious historical, archaeological and sacred prominence.

As the air of holiness dictates Kolkata's environment, one can see several temples dedicated to various Hindu deities here. One such architectural masterwork that seizures the attention of every devotee and leisure tourists is the Birla Mandir in Kolkata. It is situated at the heart of the city and is devoted to Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha.

History of Birla Mandir

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 exclusive designs on the wall of the temple are engraved by the artistes specially called from Agra, Mirzapur, and Muzaffarpur.

The temple was inaugurated on the 21st of February, by Dr. Karan Singh. The Pran Prathistha ritual of the statues was done by Swami Chidananda Maharaj. The temple is devoted to the conglomerate of Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha.

The architecture of Birla Mandir

Birla Mandir is a spectacular structure that embellishes the roads of Ballygunge, Kolkata. Dedicated to Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha it is a remarkable structure merging the traditional style of architecture with contemporary reflections. Birla Mandir is the impeccable

Example of artistry and engineering genius-

• Immense domes covered in complex stonework and design decorate the main front of the temple, while the multifaceted itself is a pearl white marble prodigy. In addition to these, some articles in the temple are prepared of silver and Belgian glass which instructs a unique divinity to the tomb.

• Verses and Shlokas along with visually appealing pictorial depictions from Bhagavad Gita are engraved on the walls on the marble cravings. Exquisite chandeliers and electric Diyas adorn the ceilings, an attestation of ultimate artwork that adds excellent luster and shines to the interiors.

Best time to visit Birla Mandir

This temple is a masterpiece of architecture. But it glows when it is worshipped, implying at the time of aarti. So, the best time to visit is early morning and after dusk during the evening aarti.

Birla mandir Kolkata entry fee and timings

In India, temples are placed for worship and so they are always free to enter. There are no entry fees to enter Birla Mandir. The timings for offerings by devotees lies between 5:30 AM and 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

How to Reach Birla Mandir Kolkata?

To reach the Birla Mandir from any part of the city, you have various options of taking a local bus, metered taxis and minibusses. The nearest metro stations to the Birla Temple are

• Rabindra Sadan,

• Maidan Metro Station and

• Kalighat,

From there you can hail a taxi or rickshaw to the temple premises.

Certain factual information that visitors need to know about Birla Mandir are:

• The temple is open for everyone and every day,

• It is situated on Asutosh Chowdhury Avenue, Balluygunj, Kolkata,

• The foundation stone used to construct this temple was laid by the rich industrialist Birla family.

Nearby locations to visit from Birla Mandir

CIMA Art Gallery-

The center of International Modern Art founded in 1993 is one of the most eminent art centers in India with nearly 100 art exhibitions conducted every year.

Birla Industrial and technological museum-

Birla Industrial and Technological Museum, situated in Gurusaday Road in Kolkata has separate galleries for Life Science, Biotech, Mock-up Coal mine, Mathematics, etc. both adults and kids.

Park Street

This is a prominent commercial and entertainment hub of Kolkata.

Rabindra Sarovar

Also known as Dhakuria Lake, it is located close to the Rabindra Sarobar metro station. This place is a hugely popular recreation spot as it offers boating facilities and also attracts migratory birds during winter.

ISKCON Kolkata

This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his eternal devotee Goddess Radha and constructed using the marbles and granites the entire temple structure completely mesmerizes the visitors.

Kalighat temple

Renowned temple of goddess Kali is a must-visit in Kolkata near Birla mandir.

Netaji Bhawan

This is the ancestral house of Subhas Chandra Bose where he grew and lived until he escaped from India from British Raj. Visitors can see the footprints of Netaji in the form of relics in the museum.

Tips for Visiting Birla Mandir

• Cameras and phones are prohibited inside the temple complex.

• Taking pictures and videos is strictly prohibited.

• Roaming around the veranda is also not allowed.

• For the visitors craving for eternal artistic beauty, it is suggested to visit the temple in the evening as the sight it presents is breath-taking.

• Evening aarti at the temple is enchanting, so plan your visit accordingly.

Kolkata is a unique city where one can experience traditional practices and enjoy a contemporary lifestyle. This city is a colorful place where numerous masterpieces made during the British period and contemporary architectural wonders exist in harmony.

Hence you can plan for a wonderful trip to Kolkata for enjoying amazing wonders in one place.