About Birla Mandir

Birla Mandir is a white marble Hindu temple on Naubat Pahad, a rocky hill about 280 feet high in the Khairatabad area of central Hyderabad. The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, the same form of Vishnu worshipped at Tirumala. It looks over Hussain Sagar Lake and the city. People come here to pray and also to enjoy the calm views, especially in the evening.

History

The temple was built by the Birla Foundation, set up by the Birla industrial family, which has built similar temples in many Indian cities. Work took about ten years, and the temple opened in 1976. It was opened by Swami Ranganathananda of the Ramakrishna Mission. About 2,000 tonnes of white marble were used in the building. The hill's name is linked to the naubat, the large drums once played on the hilltop to announce royal orders.

What to see and do

• Have darshan of the main idol of Lord Venkateswara, carved in granite and about 11 feet tall.
• Visit the separate shrines of Goddess Padmavati and Goddess Andal.
• Pray at the smaller shrines of Shiva, Ganesha, Hanuman, Lakshmi and other deities around the main temple.
• Look at the carvings, which mix South Indian temple style with Rajasthani and Odisha styles.
• Enjoy wide views of Hussain Sagar, the Buddha statue and the city from the hilltop.
• Notice the quiet. The temple has no bells, so that people can sit and pray in peace.

Best time to visit

You can visit all year. October to February has the most pleasant weather. The best hour is late afternoon or early evening, when the marble glows at sunset and the city lights come on. Weekends and festival days such as Vaikunta Ekadasi bring big crowds, so a weekday morning is calmer.

How to reach

The temple is in the heart of the city, close to Lakdikapul and the State Assembly. Nampally (Hyderabad) railway station is about 2 km away, and Secunderabad railway station is about 8 km away. Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) is about 5 km away. Lakdikapul and Khairatabad metro stations are a short auto ride from the hill. Many city buses stop nearby. Vehicles can go part of the way up the hill, but parking fills quickly on busy days, so many people park below and walk up.

Tips for visitors

• Mobile phones and cameras are not allowed inside the temple. Use the deposit counter near the entrance.
• Leave your footwear at the counter before you climb the last steps.
• Wear modest clothes, as this is an active place of worship.
• The temple closes for a few hours in the afternoon, so check the timings on this page before you go.
• The Birla Planetarium and Birla Science Museum are close by and make a good add-on for children.

Birla Mandir is one of the main temples on our Hyderabad tourist places page. After darshan, visit the nearby Birla Science Museum or spend the evening at Lumbini Park. For a day of temple visits around the city, see our 1 Day Hyderabad Temple Tour Package.