Temples in Delhi

-:LOTUS TEMPLE :- Temples in Delhi

The Lotus temple is a Bahá'í faith House and a popular monument in Delhi. Constructed in 1986, it is shaped as a lotus, from which its name is also derived. The Bahá’í faith treats all religions as equal or as two sides of the same coin and this temple has been constructed keeping in view this same belief. People from all religions are welcome to visit the place, although preaching for any particular religion or idolatry is not allowed inside the edifice.

Regarded as an ideal place for obtaining peace of mind and serenity, the temple was inaugurated in December of 1986 and has since attracted more that 50 million visitors from around the globe, making it one of the most frequented monuments in the world. In India, Lotus temple visits have on occasions surpassed the no. of people visiting the Taj Mahal. It is a very recent architectural marvel of the Bahá'í faith, the youngest of the world's independent religions. Its founder, Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892), preached the message of unity of mankind as a single race irrespective of the religion that they follow. The temple has an extroaordinary sense of calm and peace just like the values for which it stands for. A must visit for anyone visiting Delhi.

-: CHATARPUR MANDIR :- Temples in Delhi

Chattarpur Mandir is an architectural gem situated in Mehrauli close to another Historical monument- the Qutub Minar. Draped in white Marble, and constructed recently in comparison to other famous Delhi monuments, its beauty rivals other Mughal complex of the city. Similar in architecture to South India temples, it is dedicated mainly to Goddess Durga where devotees from all over the country gather to pay homage to the deity.

There is a sacred tree inside the temple premises about which it is believed that tying a thread on it will result in your wish being fulfilled. Take part in the 24/7 prayers and sermons being performed inside and visit its lush green garden as well as other temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Ganesha, Lakshmi and Shiva. Best time to visit the temple is during the annual Durga Puja, when the temple is decorated to all its glory with thousands of devotees visiting the place, standing patiently in never-ending queues for their turn to get the ‘Darshan’ of the Deity.

-: THE ISKCON TEMPLE :- Temples in Delhi

The ISKCON Temple of Delhi is located at Raja Dhirshain Marg, Sant Nagar near the East of Kailash locality. It is one of the 40 temples in India that belongs to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, dedicated to Lord Krishna. A part of the Hare Krishna Movement started by Acharya Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the devotees and followers of the Hare Rama Hare Krishna cult built this temple in 1998 to disseminate the message of the Bhagwad Gita.

Simply yet beautifully made, the interior walls of this Temple in Delhi have been decorated with aesthetic works of Russian artists representing the different phases of life of various deities like Radha-Krishan, and Sita-Ram. The main attractions of the ISKCON Temple are its central prayer hall and the temple museum. The fine-looking and pleasing idols of Radha-Krishna with other deities are present in the central hall. The temple museum on the other hand organizes multimedia shows to make the devotees understand the story of the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. It also gives a brief interpretative understanding of views, philosophy and practice of the Hare Krishna cult. This is an interesting feature of the temple and should not be missed. The festival of Janmashtmli, the birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with the ISKCON temple premises on a large scale. Thousands of devotees visit the temple on this auspicious day and the atmosphere of joyous celebration is truly exhilarating.

-: GURUDWARA SIS GANJ :- Temples in Delhi

Gurudwara Sis Gunj was built to commemorate the martyrdom of 9th Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur. The famous Gurudwara is located in Chandni chowk of Old Delhi. The site where Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb ordered his deploys to behead Guru Tegh Bahadur after the latter’s refusal to convert to Islam. Another Gurudwara- Raqab Ganj is located nearby to mark the place which used to be the house of Lakhi Shah Vanjara, one of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s disciples, who burnt-down his house after bringing his teachers body to it.

Besides followers of Sikhism, the sacred Gurudwara is also visited by people from other religions and diversities in large numbers throughout the year.

-: GURUDWARA BANGLA SAHIB :- Temples in Delhi

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is the most prominent Sikh gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi. It is instantly recognisable by its stunning golden dome and tall flagpole.

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib was originally a bungalow belonging to Raja Jai Singh, an Indian ruler in the seventeenth century. The eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan resided here during his stay in Delhi. During that time, there was a smallpox and cholera epidemic, and Guru Har Krishan helped the suffering by giving aid and fresh water from the well at this house. The water is now revered as having healing properties and is taken by Sikhs throughout the world back to their homes. The Gurdwara is now a place of pilgrimage for both Sikhs and Hindus.

The grounds include the temple, a kitchen, a large pond, a school and an art gallery. As with all Sikh Gurdwaras, the concept of langar is practiced, and all people, regardless of race or religion may eat in the Gurdwara . On holidays especially, this place is packed with people of all religions and denominations. Enthusiasts of Sikh history can visit the Baba Baghel Singh Museum within the gurudwara complex.

-: JAMA MASJID :- Temples in Delhi

>Jama Masjid-i-Jahan Numa also known as the Jama Masjid located in Old Delhi is one of the largest mosques in Asia-Pacific. This sacred Mosque is a place of worship not only for the Muslims but also for people following other religions. Jama Masjid was built in 1656 AD. by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, a lover and patron of architectural masterpieces who built several famous monuments including the Taj Mahal A popular tourist attraction both due to its exquisite beauty and its close proximity with other famous sites like Red Fort , Digambar Jain Temple and Chandni chowk, its courtyard can comfortably hold more than 20000 worshipers at once. Several sacred Islamic clerics are kept inside the mosque along with a Holy Qur’an written on a deer’s skin, and footprints and sandals of the Prophet.

It took 6 years and over 5,000 workers to construct Jama Masjid which cost a total of 1 million Rupees, a colossus amount in those times. Verses from Holy Qur’an are beautifully carved on its walls, and its steps are built of red Sandstone. Its Dome is flanked by two 130 feet high minarets on either side, each built of Marble and Red Sandstone. Emanating a blissful charm, it is a must visit for every tourist.

-: BIRLA MANDIR :- Temples in Delhi

Birla Mandir,also Known as Lakshmi-Narayan Mandir, is the first of the temples built across the country by the industrial family of Birla. Located just off Connaught Place on Mandir Marg, it is dedicated to Vishnu, the second of the Hindu Trinity of creator-preserver-destroyer, and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. Built in 1938, famous Birla Mandir was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Indian Nation) on the express condition that people of all castes and especially untouchables would be allowed in.

Durga and Shiva are the other major deities housed in this temple. Mention must be made of the Buddha temple in this complex The temple is designed in the Orissan style, with tall curved towers capped by large -amalakas (circular ribbed motif at the summit of a temple tower). The exterior is faced with the white marble and red sandstone typical of Delhi’s Mughal architecture.

Birla Mandir is also famous for the festival of Janmashtami (birth of the Hindu deity Krishna). The festival is celebrated here with much goodwill and cheer.