Birla Mandir, Kolkata - Timings, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

At a distance of 10 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Birla Mandir is a popular Hindu temple located in Ashutosh Chowdary Avenue in Kolkata, West Bengal. Placed opposite to Ballygunge Post Office, it is one of the popular Birla temples in India and among the most visited places in Kolkata.

Built by the industrialist Birla family, the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. The construction of the temple began in 1970 but it was completed in 1996. The Pran Prathistha ceremony of the idols was done by Swami Chidananda Maharaj. The magnificent Birla Mandir of Kolkata is an exemplary work of art and is one of the finest architectural beauties of the city.

The temple represents a beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary art. The colossal structure stands at 160 feet above the ground and is spread over 44 kathas of land. The architectural pattern of the temple is partly inspired by the Laxmi Narayan Temple and Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar. The entire temple has been constructed with sandstone and white marble. The interiors of the temple are laid with exquisite marble carvings that depict shlokas and pictorial engravings from the Bhagavat Gita. The engraving is spectacularly eye-catching. The ceiling of the temple is bedecked with breath-taking chandeliers and electric diyas that add marvelous luster and shine to the interior.

Apart from the beautiful Radha-Krishna idols, Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman, Lord Shiva, ten avatars of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Durga are the other deities revered here. The most fascinating feature of this temple is the evening 'Aarti'. The serene and sublime atmosphere of the temple offers much peace and tranquility to the mind. Devotees and visitors in huge numbers come here from all around the globe, especially during Janmashtami which is celebrated here with great vigor.

Timings: 5.30 AM - 11 AM & 4.30 PM - 9 PM