lotus temple

The Lotus Temple is a Bahá’í House of Worship and has been a great architectural landmark featuring in Delhi, India. Completed in 1986, the temple is famous for its lotus flower shape and represents a place where all people from different religions can go and worship. It is among the most visited buildings in the world, with serene surroundings and beautiful environs.

Salient Features of the Lotus Temple:
Architecture:

The temple is inspirited by the shape of the lotus flower that carries the meaning of peace, purity, and love. It is made up of 27 free-standing marble-clad “petals” grouped together in clusters to form nine sides.
The structure consists of white marble brought from the Penteli mountain in Greece, and it measures a height of 40 meters.
It does not have any straight lines; the entire building is a composition of curved surfaces, adding to its unique aesthetic appeal.
Interior:

The interior of the temple is open and uncluttered, devoid of altars, icons, or specific religious symbols, as befits Bahá’í conceptions of equality and unity.
It can hold about 2,500 people at one time and is often completely filled with visitors from all over the world, coming to seek a place for meditation and reflection.
The high-ceilinged central hall is naturally lit by skylights and gaps between the petals, allowing sunlight to filter in.
Gardens and Reflecting Pools :

The temple has been surrounded by nine peaceful reflecting pools and verdant green gardens, which add beauty to this place of worship and also give a cooling effect to the entire structure.
Garden and pool arrangement enhances the beauty of this temple, particularly in the evening time when the structure is lighted and its impact glitters in the water.
Bahá’í Faith and Inclusivity:

The Lotus Temple is among the eight Bahá’í Houses of Worship in the world. In fact, in accordance with the Bahá’í view towards things, this Temple is open to all people of all descriptions, whatsoever their background and beliefs might be.
It symbolizes unity and is committed to the concept of oneness of humanity and religions.
No sermons or ritualistic practice are performed inside the temple; rather, often there are readings from different religious texts inside the temple to evoke harmony and peaceful coexistence between different faiths.
Visitor Experience:

It is not allowed to take photos inside the temple. Tourists can click pictures only from outside the premises. In the middle of the temple, tourists should be in a silent mode and considerate to provide the right environment for meditation.
The temple also has a visitor center where one can get information about the Bahá’í faith, as well as the principles and design of the temple itself.
Awards and Recognition:

The Lotus Temple has won many architectural awards for its marvelous design and finds a place in various magazines and architectural journals.
It is a symbol of Delhi known to the entire world for beauty and the message of peace and unity it portrays.
The Lotus Temple is perhaps one of the most powerful symbols of harmony and inclusiveness that harmoniously unites beautifully dazzling architecture with serenity inside. Indeed, it features among those places where tourists and spiritual seekers come together to find a retreat conducive to quiet introspection and to connect with others.