Birla Mandir, Hyderabad

Birla Mandir is a temple in Hyderabad, India, perched on Naubat Pahad hill and constructed entirely from white marble. The facade displays finely carved reliefs with scenes from religious narratives, while the main building is surrounded by smaller towers that point upward.

The Birla Foundation commissioned the construction in 1966 and opened it as part of a nationwide series of religious sites. Completion took ten years and brought together craftsmen from different regions to finish the decorations.

The sanctuaries inside display figures central to South Indian devotion, with names rooted in Sanskrit tradition. Visitors can observe the daily ritual of lighting oil lamps, especially prominent during evening hours when local worshippers gather for prayer.

The site opens in the morning and closes midday for a few hours before reopening in the afternoon and remaining accessible until late evening. Separate queues for men and women are arranged during busy times to organize the flow.

The design merges stylistic elements from Orissa with those of South India, bringing regional building techniques together in a single structure. The interior houses a tall stone figure reaching roughly three times human height, visited by pilgrims traveling from distant areas.

Location: Hyderabad

Inception: 1966

Official opening: 1976

Made from material: marble

GPS coordinates: 17.38000,78.40000

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:05