5 Best Temples To Visit In Delhi

India is not only Goa, Bollywood and Sari! If you go to India, be sure to go through Delhi! The whole city is literally saturated with history. Delhi is dotted with various mosques, fortresses and monuments preserved from the time of the Mughal rulers who once lived there. Today it is impossible not to note the huge contrast between the confused Old Delhi and the well-designed New Delhi.

Researching one and the other will be equally enjoyable, I promise. And Delhi is a city immersed in greenery and the scent of flowering gardens, where city dwellers love to go to relieve tension and fatigue.

Among the sights of Delhi, which are definitely worth a visit, the following temples and religious places are the most popular.

1. Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple

It is one of the most magnificent Hindu temples in India in honor of the goddess of prosperity, well-being and happiness - Lakshmi and one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. It was built in six years from 1933 to 1939 and is the result of hard work of more than 100 of the best Indian stone carvers.

The Birla Mandir was opened by Mahatma Gandhi and, unlike many other Hindu temples, gladly accept everyone, regardless of their nationality, religious or caste affiliation. Birla Mandir attracts the attention of not only tourists, but also numerous pilgrims of the most diverse currents in Hinduism, since besides Lakshmi and Narayana, it contains sanctuaries in honor of Buddha, Shiva, Hanuman, Ganesha, Durga and Krishna.

Another pearl of the Laxminarayan Temple ensemble is a garden with numerous fountains and waterfalls with an area of over 3 hectares.

2. Swaminarayan Akshardham

The largest and largest temple complex in India, the construction of which was completed in 2005. It is the fruit of labor of more than 7,000 modern Indian architects and craftsmen. Despite its high cost and scale, it was built solely through voluntary private donations from followers of Swaminarayan, whose statue is located in the very center of the building.

Anyone can visit the complex, as it is not a purely religious building, but rather a memorial and a universal place of worship. Akshvardham daily pleases visitors with various exhibitions, theatrical performances, musical fountains, numerous restaurants and gardens, as well as walks along an artificial lake.

3. Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Temple

The largest and most famous temple complex of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Delhi is dedicated to Krishna and Radha. Lodging is available for pilgrims and guests in the area adjacent to the temple. There is a beautiful park and an artificial lake, a cafe, a center for Vedic culture, exhibitions of Indian arts, constant musical and laser shows, thanks to which visitors and pilgrims can learn about Vedic culture and deities.

4. Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir

One of the oldest temples of Jainism, located in close proximity to the famous Red Fort and built in 1656. Its name, which literally means red temple, he received thanks to the bright red color of sandstone on the facade of the building. This complex is visited by both pilgrims and ordinary tourists. The latter are particularly attracted to the charity hospital for birds and other small animals, located on the temple grounds.

5. Chhatarpur Temple

Although this place is located in the area of the same name on the outskirts of the southwestern district of Delhi, it is worth a visit to anyone who has decided to get to know the capital of India. This second largest temple in the whole world was built in 1974. The territory of the complex covers an area of 24 hectares.

The main temple is dedicated to one of the manifestations of the goddess Shakti Katyayani and opens only twice a year during the celebration of Navratri, the rest of the shrines were erected in honor of Shiva, Ganesha, Radha and Krishna, Lord Rama, services are held in them constantly.