Birla Temple, Ayodhya

Also called the Shri Ram Janaki Birla Temple, this is a modern shrine in Ayodhya built by the Birla family; tradition says the work began after the Lord appeared to them in a dream. The main sanctum holds images of Ram and Sita together with Hanuman, and smaller shrines in the compound are given to other deities. The grounds cover roughly 2.5 acres.

The temple is built of white marble in a style that joins classical and modern ideas, and its plan is shaped like a chariot. Visitors enter through a large carved arch decorated with figures of Hindu gods, carried on pillars with lotus motifs. Inside the complex there is a meditation hall, and the garden is planted with native flowers and run with water-saving practices. At night the lighting is arranged to pick out the carving on the outer walls.