Inspirations of Traditional Hindu Temple Architecture in the Birla Mandir in Renukoot

Abstract

he Renukoot (Reṇukūṭ) Birla mandir, dedicated to Śiva in the aspect of Reṇukeśvara Mahādeva, was founded in 1972 by the Birla (Biṛlā) family. It is located in one of the Birlas’ industrial towns — Renukoot, in the south-eastern part of Uttar Pradeś where HINDALCO Industries Limited (the aluminium factory) has operated since 1962. The region started attracting investors and industrialist after a dam was constructed on the river Rihand1). It was inaugurated in 1960 by the then prime minister of India – Jawaharlal Nehru. He tried to encourage every guest and businessman who came there, among them Ghanshyamdas Birla, to invest in the region. Indeed, the Birlas decided to locate one of their main enterprises here — the Hindalco (Hindustan Aluminium Corporation) factory. It may be assumed that the temple was planned to serve as the main shrine for the Hindu community living and working in this area. At the same time, it is one of the attractions for visitors to the region. It must, however, be mentioned that if at all we consider it as a kind of ‘tourist’ place, it is only so for local (Indian) visitors2), since it is located beyond the main tourist routes and is rather difficult to reach. The