Our Dilli is more than just a city. Agree? It’s a vibe, it’s a culture in itself and it has a soul of its own! Of course, Delhi also boasts of numerous monuments and places which are visited by hordes of tourists and localites alike. And when it comes to the city’s temples, well, some of them are not only gorgeous, they are actual architectural marvels! Don’t believe us? Well, how about you check out these 7 temples in the city which would definitely leave you in awe.
1. Lotus Temple
Famous for its splendid architecture, the lotus-shaped temple made of white marble- Lotus Temple is unique and one of its kinds. It is built as per the Bahai concept, which means welcoming all the religions. Considered to be an architectural marvel, the temple can easily accommodate 2500 people. With 27 petals etched out of marble, all arranged in clusters, the temple is every photographer’s delight! The architecture in the shape of the lotus flower was kept in mind with the significance of lotus in spiritual spheres of both Hinduism and Buddhism in India.
Where: Bahapur, Shambhu Dayal Bagh, Kalkaji, New Delhi
2. Akshardham Temple
Sitting near the banks of Yamuna river, Akshardham Temple is one of the best attractions of Delhi. It is the largest Hindu temple in the world which stands 141-foot high, spans 316-foot wide, and extends 356-foot long. Interestingly the temple is built entirely using stones and marbles. It’s made of two distinct stones, pink and white. The white marble was imported from Carrara, Italy, and pink stone mined from deserts of Rajasthan. And there’s no way that you can miss watching the famous water laser show at the sunset there!
Where: NH 24, Noida Mor, Pandav Nagar
3. Chhatarpur Mandir
Dedicated to goddess Katyayani (A manifestation of Goddess Durga), Chhatarpur Mandir is officially known as the Shri Aadya Katyayani Shakti Peetham. The architecture of the temple is worth a visit, as it is a unique style that combines both North and South Indian styles of architecture. The Gopurams (entrance) of the south and the
Where: Chhatarpur, New Delhi
4. Iskcon Temple
The main attraction of the temple is the architecture which beautifully reflects in its interior and exterior. The three shrines are dedicated to god and goddess Guara-Nitai, Sita-Ram and Radha-Krishna. The outfits of the deities are impeccable & are changed twice every day. The complex houses the temple, a Vedic museum and a basic restaurant. Iskcon temple and museum is a major tourist attraction in the city.
Where: East of Kailash, Noida, Dwarka & Punjabi Bagh
5. Birla Mandir
Birla Mandir known as Laxminarayan Temple is a temple of Narayan or Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. It is one of Delhi’s major tourist attraction and was built by the industrialist J.K. Birla in 1939. Standing tall in red sandstone and white marble, the temple is a beautiful sight to behold. The structure of the temple comprises of sculptures, tall spires and Jali work making it a remarkable sight! BTW Mahatma Gandhi himself inaugurated this temple on the condition that people of all castes will be allowed to enter.
Where: Mandir Marg, Near, Gole Market, New Delhi
6. Uttara Swami Malai Temple
Malai Mandir, formally known as Uttara Swami Malai Temple, is an alluring South Indian temple dedicated to Lord Swaminath from the South. It’s one of the few temples in Delhi where Hindus from the Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayali communities worship together. This hill-top granite temple’s inception took place in 1961. The main shrine is dedicated to Lord Swaminath, also called the Garbha-Griha (sanctum sanctorum) is located atop a small hillock. The temple is a unique blend of renowned and ancient temple architectural styles of the South. It brings the splendour of the South to the North, attracting visitors.
Where: Palam Marg, Sector 7, Rama Krishna Puram, New Delhi
7. Jagannath Temple
How many of you know that there’s a Jagannath Temple in Hauz Khas? A modern temple built by the Oriya community (an ethnic group of Odisha) is dedicated to God Jagannath. It is worth a visit, as every inch is intricately carved and made of marble. The interiors house beautiful statues of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra (brother of Lord Jagannath), Maa Subhadra (sister of Lord Jagannath) and Sudarshan Chakra. Also, it’s one of the few temples in the city which is open for everyone without discrimination against caste, creed, gender or community.
Where: Thyagraj Nagar, Hauz Khas, New Delhi
(Featured Image Source: tripoto)
