Birla Temple Hyderabad
Birla Mandir is a magnificient temple built entirely in marble, with great architectural significance. It was built by the Birla Foundation in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara.
The exquisite carvings of the temple, the ceiling and the mythological figurines are ample proofs of the dexterity of the sculptors and the craftsmen. There is a tower over the chief shrine of Lord Venkateswara which is called the ‘Jagadanananda Vimanam' and is constructed in the quintessentially Orissan style. Interestingly enough, the towers over the shrines of Lord Venkateswara are reminiscent of the south Indian architectural style. The image of the presiding deity is made of granite and is 11 feet tall. A carved lotus forms an umbrella like structure over this image. In the adjacent ‘mukhamandapam' the scenes from Indian mythology are carved in marbles. Birla Temple Hyderabad basks in a flood of light at night. Besides the chief shrine of Lord Venkateswara, there are also separated shrines for His consorts Padmavathi and Andal within theSouth India Birla Temples Hyderabad.
The granite image of the presiding deity is about 11 ft. tall and a carved lotus forms an umbrella on the roof. The consorts of Lord Venkateswara, 'Padmavati' and 'Andal' are housed in separate shrines. There is a brass flagstaff in the temple premises which rises to a height of 42 ft.
The temple manifests a blend of South Indian, Rajasthani and Utkal temple architectures. In its entirety, it is made of 2000 tons of pure Rajasthani white marble. It is built on a 280-feet high hillock called the Naovath Pahad in a 13 acres plot. The construction of the temple took 10 years and it was consecrated in 1976.
The temple complex overlooking the southern side of Hussain Sagar, offers a magnificient panoramic view of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. It presents a colorful spectacular sight when illuminated at night.
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