Sri Ram Mandir, New Delhi

Sri Ram Mandir at Lodhi Road, New Delhi is an organ of Vedic Culture Centre. The Vedic Culture Centre, Delhi,was established as a Registered Society in 1968.

Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Sriman Narayana Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji of Badrinath inspired, guided and blessed the construction of Sri Ram Mandir. At the behest of the Divine Command, His Holiness took to Sanyasasramam in 1954. He performed 108 Sri Ram Maha Krathu for 9 years all over India and Nepal and constructed 108 Ram Sthupas as monuments of these Krathus. His Holiness dedicated the whole of his life for the propagation of Bhakti and upliftment of spiritual values in our society till he attained the Lotus feet of the Lord in 1979.

With the blessings of His Holiness and the efforts of Sri Ramaswamy, a piece of land in the Institutional Area, Lodi Road was allotted to the Centre in 1968 by the Union Ministry of Works and Housing. When the land was allotted, there was only a small dried up well and some rocky structure at the site. The members of the Centre themselves cleared the site and closed the dried up well by offering shramdan. A small archa-vigraha of Goddess Mahalakshmi was excavated from the site at the time of clearance thus establishing divinity and sanctity of the place.

Regular worship started way back in 1969 in a small shed with Lord Ram’s photo. Immediately thereafter the Utsava Vigrahas arrived and large number of devotees started coming to seek the blessings of the Lord. In 1972, Lord Hanuman(‘s) archa-vigraha, which is nearly 12 feet tall, was consecrated and Samprokshana was done.

It was during these years, a cobra had been visiting the temple frequently but caused no harm to any one.Frequent appearance of the cobra was brought to the notice of His Holiness and soon the divinity and sanctity of the place was discovered. Upon receiving the divine command, Swamiji installed one of the 108 Ram Stamba Krathus at the site where Sri Ram Mandir stands today.Sri Ram Pattabhishekam has been depicted in the kratu and the same has been the Moola Vigraha or main deity for worship for many years.

The Balalayam built in the seventies gained importance steadily and attempts were made to renovate the temple. Recognizing this as a place of public worship,the Government of India granted tax exemption, which the institution received with gratitude.Soon after, contributions from general public, charitable and religious institutions, philanthropists etc. started flowing.To realize one of the objectives of spreading Vedic Culture, building a temple was undertaken initially by the Centre.On completion of the installation of 108 Ram Sthamba Krathus, Jeeyar Swamiji organized Akhil Bharatiya Veda Vidhwat Sammelan wherein more than 2000 Vedic Scholars were honored. The conference was held in Ram Lila grounds and Sri Ram Mandir took an active part in organizing the Conference. The initial intention of the Centre was to set up the shrines for Lord Sri Ram and Lord Hanuman.

The temple construction could not be proceeded with till it was realized in 1976 that this temple should have separate shrines for Lord Ranganath (Lord Ram’s Lord) and Lord Balaji – Kaliyug Bhagwan by divine command. Accordingly, the temple designs and plans were altered and culminated in a two story structured “Madakkoil”.

Styled to “Pancharatra Agama” as ordained by the Lord , Garbhagraha, Ardha Mandapa, Shobhana Mandapa, Vimana Gopuras are resplendent with minute details as per ‘shilpa shastra’. In the ground floor, Lord Hanuman is at the feet of Lord Sri Ram, Goddess Mahalakshmi at the feet of Lord Balaji and Bhagvath Ramanuja at the feet of Lord Ranganath.

Besides these, ground floor also features shrine of Vasudeva Pada Padmam. Lord Balaji, Goddess Padmavathi Saptharishis and different forms of Vishnu have been depicted elegantly, in the ‘parikrama’ according to Shilpashastra.

The first phase of construction was started in 1981. By 1982 the ground floor was completed and the superstructure of first floor and terrace were completed and three beautifully architectured towers depicting the different Gods and Goddesses of Hindu Mythology were also done. As the first floor was complete and some of the temporary structures were demolished, the installation of archa-vigraha was done by His HolinessSri Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji in June 1984 was done. During the period 1982-84,Sri Ram Mandir undertook the mammoth task of performing 108 Sudarshan Homams and completed the same with the help of devotees. With further contributions from individuals and organizations of varied nature, the first floor and terrace have been completed in all respects and a Dwajasthamba of 50 feet has been installed.

Sanctum Sanctorum of the shrines of all the archa-vigraha are embellished with “KOTI RAM NAMAVALI” – called “Ram Koti”, written‘Sri Ram’, ‘Sri Ram’ by ardent devotees. Even the pillars reverberate with “Ram Nam” all the time to the discernible ears. After completion of construction work, Pranaprathishta of archa-vigraha and Maha Samprokshanam of Sri Ram Mandir were conducted by His Holiness Sri Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji on 10 Feb 1989. Preceding this, Yagnas, Chathusthana Pooja,Chaturveda Parayana and Divya Prabhanda Parayana have been conducted from 06 Feb1989 onwards.

With the installation of the archa-vigraha of Lord Ranganath along with his consorts and Lord Balaji and Goddess Mahalakshmi, the temple has gained status of Uthara Sri Rangam and Uttara Tirupathi (Uttara Vengadam).

In short, Sri Ram Mandir has come up in Delhi as an organ of the Vedic Culture Centre (Regd.) not only as a monument of architectural elegance and testimony of craftsmanship but also to preserve and cherish Hindu cultural heritage in the capital city.

How To Reach
How to reach Delhi
Air: All the major National and International Air Lines have their flights operating from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Rail: The Indian Railways connects Delhi to all major and other destinations in India. There are three important Railway Stations in Delhi namely New Delhi Rly. Station, Old Delhi Rly. Station and Hazarat Nizamuddin Rly. Station.
Bus: Delhi is well connected by road to all major destinations in North India. The Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) is located at Kashmiri Gate, Sarai Kale-Khan and Anand Vihar. Transport Corporations of the neighbouring states provide frequent bus services through Air Conditioned, Deluxe and Ordinary Coaches.

How To Reach Sri Ram Mandir
Prepaid Taxi & Auto servies available from airport (both Domestic & International),
all Railway Stations and Bus terminals and other important places.
From New Delhi Railway station to Sri Ram Mandir, 20 Min by Auto Rickshaw.
From Nizamudin Railway Station to Sri Ram Mandir,10 Min by Auto Rickshaw.
From IGI & PALAM Airport to Sri Ram Mandir,45 Min by Auto Rickshaw.

Temple Timings
SUMMER
MORNING
6:30 AM TO 12:00 NOON
6:30 AM TO 1:00 PM (ON SATURDAY)
EVENING
5:00 PM TO 9:00 PM
5:00 PM TO 9:30 PM(ON SATURDAY)

WINTER
MORNING
6:30 AM TO 12:00 NOON
6:30 AM TO 1:00 PM (ON SATURDAY)
EVENING
5:00 PM TO 8:30 PM
5:00 PM TO 9:00 PM(ON SATURDAY)

Contact Details

SRI RAM MANDIR
Vedic Culture Centre (Reg no: 3572,Dated 12 Jan 1968)
7,Lodhi Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003
Tel No: 91-11-24617690 Fax No: 91-11-24644421

The following are links to coverage of Sri Rama Navami and Vaikunta Ekadasi utsavams at the temple in Anudinam…

http://anudinam.org/2012/04/01/sri-rama-navami-celebrations-at-delhi-temples/

http://anudinam.org/2012/01/07/divine-marathon-on-vaikunta-ekadasi-at-new-delhi-temples/

The following are a couple of videos of the thirukkoil covered in Jaya TV today…

Source: skyaasoori.shutterfly.com/dinamorudivyadesam
Video Courtesy: Sri Varadhan Tirumalai Echambadi