Birla Mandir (Sri Venkateshwara Temple) in Hyderabad
Hyderabad Monuments and Historic Buildings: Birla Mandir (Sri Venkateshwara Temple)
The Birla Mandir is situated on the hilltop of Kalapahad in Hyderabad. It is open from 7 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 9 pm on all days of the week. It is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara and is a nice combination of the southern and northern styles of architecture.
The temple is constructed from pure white marble from Rajasthan. The mythological figures, the ceiling and the intricate carvings in the temple are an evidence of the craftsmen’s adroitness. Important scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the two great epics, are sculpted in marble.
There are several lofty steps that lead to the sanctum along which there are several marble statues of Hindu Gods and Goddesses situated amidst verdant gardens. It overlooks the calm waters of the Hussain Sagar Lake and offers a good view of the twin cities Hyderabad and Secundarabad.
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