Khairtabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Description:
Birla Mandir, formally known as the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple, is one of Hyderabad's most beloved spiritual landmarks. Gleaming white atop the 280-foot Naubat Pahad hillock in Khairtabad, this magnificent marble structure was built by the Birla Foundation and consecrated in 1976. The 11-foot black granite idol of Lord Venkateswara presides in the sanctum, surrounded by shrines for Lakshmi, Shiva, Ganesha, Saraswati, and Hanuman. Constructed with 2,000 tonnes of Makrana marble, the temple blends Dravidian, Orissan, and Rajasthani architectural styles. Open to all faiths, with free entry.