Temples in Delhi

Laxmi Narayan Temple also known as Birla Mandir, was built by the industrialist J.K. Birla in 1939 A.D, this beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place. The temple is dedicated to Laxmi and Narayana. The temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi on the condition that people of all castes would be allowed to enter the temple. The temple is spread over an area of 7.5 acres and contains many fountains, shrines and sculptures of religious. The temple also has a Geeta Bhavan which is used for discussion. The Laxminarayan Temple is a major attraction among the localities and tourists during Janmashtami and Diwali festivals.

Yogmaya temple is also known as the Jogmaya temple which is dedicated to Goddess Yogmaya, sister of Lord Krishna. One of the ancient Hindu temples is located in the small village of Mehrauli. The Deity of this temple is Goddess Yogmaya is known as the Pure Goddess and is made of black stone and was placed in a well, made of marble. According to history, the Yogmaya Temple was built by the Pandavas at the end of Mahabharata. Mehrauli is one of the seven ancient cities that make up the present state of Delhi. Also, festivals are celebrated like Mahashivratri, Navaratri and Phoolwalon-ki-sair.

Hanuman Temple, one of the oldest Hanuman temples in India, is located at Baba Kharak Singh Marg in Connaught Place, Delhi. It is an ancient Hindu temple and is one of the five temples of Mahabharata days in Delhi. According to Hindu beliefs, Pandavas built five temples including this Hanuman Temple after they won the Kurukshetra war against the Kauravs. The deity of Lord Hanuman is very unique and is a swayambhu. The face of the main idol of the Lord Hanuman is seen as Bala Hanuman, facing the south. Bhagawan Bala Hanuman carries the Gadha in his left hand and his right hand rests over his chest as in prayer. The height of the temple is reported to be 108 feet.

Kalkaji Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali. This temple is located in south Delhi. A locality that has derived its name from the temple and is located opposite to Nehru Place business centre. Pandavas and Kauravas came to offer their prayers to the Goddess Kali at this temple during the Mahabharata time, which is believed to be 3000 Years old. A festival like Navratri is also celebrated and during this period a large fair is organized at the temple, Kalaka Devi is also known as Kaal Chakra Swamini. Kalkaji Temple is also known as Manokamana Siddha Peetha and Jayanti Peetha Manokamna Siddha means desired wish fulfillment and Peetha means the shrine.

Gauri Shankar Temple is located near the Digambar Jain Lal Mandir on Old Delhi road in Chandni Chowk and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the most important temples of Shaivism. The temple has an 800 year old brown Lingam in a marble representation of a female organ. The Lingam is surrounded by snakes made up of silver and represents a cosmic pillar. Other idols such as Goddess Parvati, Lord Kartik and Lord Ganesha are also present in the Temple. This temple was built by Apa Ganga Dhar and is 800 years old, a Maratha soldier who was a devotee of Lord Shiva. The best time to visit the temple is during the festival of Shivratri when it is decorated and filled with devotional activities.

Akshardham Temple in Delhi located on the banks of Yamuna River was officially opened to public on 6th November 2005. It was inaugurated by president of India late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. It took around 5 years of time to build the Swaminarayan Akshardham as according to ancient methods such as Vastu shastra and Pancharatra shastra. Akshardham presents a traditional architecture of Hindu Temples and the word Akshardham, as per Swaminarayan Hinduism means divine home of the God on Earth, there are also statues of Hindu Gods and Goddess such as Lord Krishna and Radha, Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Goddess Lakshmi, God Narayan, Lord Shiva and Parvati Devi.

Chhatarpur Temple is located in South Delhi dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, a part of Navadurga, the nine forms of Hindu goddess Durga or Shakti worshipped during the Navratri celebrations. The temple was established in 1974 A.D. by Baba Sant Nagpal ji, who died in 1998 A.D. His samadhi shrine lies in the premises of the Shiv Gauri Nageshwar Mandir within the temple's Sacred Site. This temple is the second largest temple of India after Akshardham Temple and have been built in both South and North indian style of temple architecture.

The Jagannath Temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath near Hauz Khas Metro Station in South Delhi. The Jagannath Temple in New Delhi is a modern temple built by the Oriya community. The lord Jagannath temple houses the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Maa Subhadra besides Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Maa Lakshmi, Maa Vimala and Maa Tarini. The Maha Prasada is pure vegetarian food offered to Lord Jagannath. Just by eating this maha-prasada, one makes great spiritual progress. Also, festivals like Jagannath Rathyatra, Janmashtami, Ganeshotsav, Diwali and Navratri are celebrated.

Jhandewalan Temple is located on Jhandewalan Road on the way to Karol Bagh, Delhi. It is one of the oldest temples in Delhi and this temple is dedicated to Maa Aadi Shakti Who is the most powerful divine in Hinduism. The name Jhandewalan was given during Shah Jahan’s rule, due to the prayer flags or jhandas being offered. The upper part of the temple has the idol of Mata Jhandewali with the idol of Saraswati and Kali. There are idols of other Gods also at the same place. At the ground level, the original idol of Jhandewali Mata is there where people perform Puja. There is also a mesmerizing Shiv mandir for performing Shiv puja in the adjoining area near the downward side.