Lakshmi-Narayan Temple

A modern temple in Delhi just west of
Connaught Place. It was built in 1938 by
Ghanshyamdas Birla, the patriarch of a
prominent industrialist family. Although
the temple is dedicated to the god
Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi, it is
more commonly called the “Birla temple” after its patron. Since Lakshmi is
considered the bestower of wealth, and
the temple was built by a businessman,
this dedication is hardly surprising.
Aside from his religious endowments,
Ghanshyamdas Birla was also the major
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Lakshmibai
financial support behind the Indian
National Congress, the political party
led by Mohandas Gandhi which struggled to gain Indian independence. Since
the day it was built the temple has been
open to people of all castes and communities, upholding the denial of untouchability that was one of Gandhi’s most
important crusades.