Andrew Griebeler
Andrew Griebeler, March eBirder of the Month
Laxman Mandir, a prominent 400-year-old shrine in the heart of Bharatpur, Rajasthan, is dedicated to Laxman, the brother of the Hindu god Ram. Founded by the humanitarian sage Naaga Baba, the temple is located in the bustling market area and showcases traditional Rajasthani architecture. Maintained by one of Naaga Baba’s descendants, who leads daily aarti ceremonies, the temple is open from 7 am to 7 pm. Nearby, another Laxman temple, established by Baldev Singh, the founder of Bharatpur, features idols of Laxman and his wife Urmila made of Ashtadhaatu (a combination of eight metals), along with smaller idols of Hanuman, Shatrughna, Bharat, and Ram. This 300-year-old temple, constructed from marble and sandstone, was inspired by sage Sant Dass and built to commemorate the king's victory in battle. Both temples, open from 5 am to 10 pm, are central to many Hindu festivals and are popular tourist destinations.
