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Bahai Temple (Lotus Temple)

The temple represents the Bahai faith which is broad in its outlook, scientific in the influence it exerts on the hearts and minds of men. It signifies the purity and the universality of the lord and equality of all religions. Visited by over four million people, annually, this gleaming lotus- like marble structure is located on Bahapur Hills (South Delhi) and it is the seventh and most recent Bahai houses of worship in the world. The temple is a must visit for every tourist who comes to Delhi. This structure, completed in 1986, is a marvel of modern architecture. Set amidst pools and gardens, the view of the temple is very spectacular just before dusk when the temple is flood lit.

Anyone is free to visit the temple and pray or meditate silently according to their own religion. The temple is around 45 minutes from Domestic Airport.

Birla Mandir

Strictly speaking, this structure is not part of the New Delhi Lutyens designed. Famous Birla Mandir in Delhi is essentially a Hindu temple which came up alongside with New Delhi and has therefore been pegged with it. Popularly known as the Birla Mandir, it is the first of the temples built across the country by the industrial family of Birla. Located just off Connaught Place on Mandir Marg, it is dedicated to Vishnu, the second of the Hindu Trinity of creator-preserver-destroyer, and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.

The temple is designed in the Orissan style, with tall curved towers capped by large amalakas (circular ribbed motif at the summit of a temple tower). The exterior is faced with the white marble and red sandstone typical of Delhi’s Mughal architecture.

Iskcon Temple

Built on a hilly place in 1998. Lord Krishna preached spirituality and way to Godhood 3000 years ago. Today, the International Society For Krishna Consciousness is propagating the blessings to every weary heart, irrespective of caste, creed and sect. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and was built by the Hare-Rama Hare-Krishna cult followers in 1998. Nestling in the serene fringes of the Hare Krishna Hill in East of Kailash, the magnificent temple, in simple words, promulgates Krishna consciousness through myriad sankirtan movements, congregational chantings of the holy

name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Beside the exquisite architecture of this sacred shrine attracts many tourists from all parts of India. One can see the elegant 'shikharas', soaring as high as 90 ft from the womb of spirituality, that dominates the crimson skyline of this sector.

Chattarpur Mandir

Chattarpur Mandir is situated just 4 km from Qutub Minar, located in the Mehrauli area of New Delhi. The spectacular temple complex is an architectural gem in itself. All the shrines in the complex are built from white marble. Comparatively recent in its construction, it rivals the splendor of the Mughal architecture of the city. Devotees from all over Delhi come to pay their homage to the deities in the temple. The main shrine is dedicated to Goddess Durga and exhibits traits of the temple architecture of South India.

On Durga Puja, one can see never-ending queues of devotees waiting patiently for their turn to ask for the blessings of the Goddess. According to the popular belief, tying a thread on the tree inside the complex of Chattarpur Mandir fulfills one's wishes. Prayers and sermons are conducted in the temple 24 hours a day. Anybody can participate in these spiritual meetings, any time.

Bala Hanuman Temple

Hanuman Mandir is situated at the Baba Kharak Singh Marg (road) near Connaught Place. One of the oldest Hanuman temples in the country, it was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the year 1724. However, since the time of its construction, the Lord Hanuman Temple of New Delhi has undergone many restorations. One of the highlights of the temple is the 24-hour chanting of the mantra 'Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram', since August 1, 1964. This continuous chanting has even secured a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The idol in the Delhi Hanuman Mandir represents the Lord in a very young age, that of a Balak (young child). The idol faces south and is known as the Bala Hanuman. In the left hand of the Lord Hanuman idol is a Gada (a weapon) and the right hand rests over his chest as in prayer.

Aurobindo Ashram

Again in the south of Delhi near the Indian Institute of Technology on the road to Meharauli it has literature on the life of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and has an ashram where devotees can come to meditate. There is also some accommodation available for devotees of Sri Aurobindo. The Delhi Branch was officially inaugurated on 12 February, 1956, with the Blessings of the Mother. To the joy and gratitude of spiritual seekers in Northern India, the Mother graciously granted the relics of Sri Aurobindo to be enshrined here on 5th December, 1957.

Since then, the Ashram has been growing at a steady pace. The shrine and the Meditation Hall continue to be the center of life and the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, the guiding light.