The latest and only Sun Temple of the twentieth century, built by Shri Basant Kumar Birla, is located in
Gwalior. Due to the concept of Birla family and other Birla temples prevalent in India, this temple of Gwalior is also known as
Birla Mandir or
Birla Surya Mandir. Like all other Birla temples, you will find a lot of greenery and large gardens here. Along with the Pubbare reservoir, our national bird peacock can also be seen here.
Construction History of the Temple:
This temple was built by Basant Kumar Ji Birla with the inspiration of Shri Ghanshyam Das Ji Birla. The foundation stone of the temple was laid in 1984 and Pran Pratishtha was done on
23 January. This temple is spread over an area of
20500 square feet. And the height of the temple is
76 feet 1 inch. The construction of the Vivaswan Temple as a replica of the
Konark Sun Temple is an important event in Indian temple architectural history. This temple is not only the only Sun temple of the modern era but also the pride of temple architecture.
Appearance of Sun Temple:
This temple is in the shape of a chariot of Bhagwan Surya, it is built on a large platform in the form of a chariot drawn by
24 chakras and
seven horses in the middle of the sanctum sanctorum and main hall of the Vivasvan temple i.e. Jagmohan. The 24 fortnights of the year, the eight yamas of the day and the night, are the symbols of the week.
The sanctorum of the temple:
◉ The main temple sanctum has a marble platform in the form of a chariot of seven horses. There are seven horses in front of the platform. Whose Raas is in the hands of charioteer
Arun. The idol of Bhagwan
Vivswan (Sun God) is seated very beautiful on a high pedestal on the platform.
◉ The Surya Bhagwan sitting in Padmasana is wearing
Kirit, Kundal, Ekavali, Haar, Yagyopaveet, Kankan Nupur and
Mekhla and
Dhoti. The four-armed deity holds a
lotus flower in the two arms raised up to the shoulders,
a trident (Trishul)
in the front right arm and a
garland in the left arm.
◉ This sun statue presents a coordinated form of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Surya, the trinity of mythological Hinduism. The lotus flower symbolizes the Sun and Vishnu, the trident of Shiva, the rosary of Brahma.
◉ Tunnels have been built around the summit to bring sunlight inside the sanctum sanctorum through which the sunlight reads on the idol making the idol shine and shine.
◉ The architecture of the temple is designed in such a way that in the middle of the day the sun rays illuminate the golden crown of the idol of Sun God located in the sanctum sanctorum.
External Appearance of Sun Temple:
In the north-west and south of the temple, small temples are built like open pavilions from all sides. Which has the sun idols of the coordinated forms of
Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh respectively.
Other idols and mandapams in the Sun Temple:
✽ In the east direction of the temple, on the right and left of the two grand chhatris, the life-size bronze statues of Shri Ghanshyam Das Birla and his wife
Shrimati Mahadevi Birla are facing towards the temple, bowing to the Bhagwan.
✽ The main hall of the temple is flanked by three, there are four pillars on each of these pillars. On these pillars, 9-9 idols of Navagrahas, idols of
Sun, Moon, Mars, Guru, Venus, Shani and
Rahu and
Ketu respectively at each door and each
Chaturbhuji Ganesh ji is seated at the door.
✽ There are a total of
373 idols in the temple. On the walls of the temple, there are idols of Dwadsha Surya, Dashavatar, Brahma, Vishnu and Narada Saptamatrika, Navadurga in four dance postures above the four directions and women in instrument playing posture.
The only Sun temple of the twentieth century Loksakshi is a symbol of direct knowledge and light, the retention of time and direction, the power and the giver of life. Worshiping the Sun pacifies the defects of all the malefic planets.
There is a free shoe house, drinking water and proper arrangement of toilets in the temple. Videography and photography are allowed at all places except the sanctum sanctorum and inner courtyard of the temple. The courtyard of the temple is very dear to small children. Apart from darshan in the temple, many people also come for sightseeing and picnic. There is also an accessible place for parking outside the temple.
Popular Name: Vivaswan Temple, Gwalior Birla Mandir