Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple, located in Delhi, India, is a Baháʼí House of Worship that was dedicated in December 1986. Notable for its flowerlike shape, it has become a prominent attraction in the city. Like all other Bahá’í Houses of Worship, the Lotus Temple is open to all, regardless of religion or any other qualification. The building is composed of 27 free-standing marble-clad “petals” arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides,[1] with nine doors opening onto a central hall with a height of slightly over 34 meters[1] and a capacity of 1,300 people.[2] The Lotus Temple has won numerous architectural awards and has been featured in many newspaper and magazine articles.[3]

Background

The Lotus Temple was dedicated 23–27 December 1986 with a gathering of 8,000 Baháʼís from 107 countries, including some 4,000 Baháʼís from 22 provinces in India. On 1 January the temple was opened to the public and more than 10,000 people visited that first day.[4]

By late 2001, it had attracted more than 70 million visitors according to Manpreet Brar, a CNN reporter.[5] The permanent delegation of India to UNESCO stated that the Lotus Temple has received over 100 million visitors by April 2014.[6]

Worship

The Baháʼí Faith teaches that a Baháʼí House of Worship should be a space for people of all religions to gather, reflect, and worship.[7] Anyone may enter the Lotus Temple irrespective of religious background, gender, or other distinctions, as is the case with all Baháʼí houses of worship.[7] The sacred writings of not only the Baháʼí faith but also other religions can be read and/or chanted, regardless of language;[7] on the other hand, reading nonscriptural texts is forbidden, as are delivering sermons or lectures, or fund-raising. Musical renditions of readings and prayers can be sung by choirs, but no musical instruments can be played inside. There is no set pattern for worship services, and ritualistic ceremonies are not permitted.[7]

According to Shoghi Effendi, a Bahá’í temple is a “silent teacher” of the Bahá’í faith.[8]

Structure
Interior view
Interior view of the symbol of the Greatest Name, set at the top of the temple

All Baháʼí Houses of Worship, including the Lotus Temple, share certain architectural elements, some of which are specified by Baháʼí scripture. ʻAbdu’l-Bahá, the son of the founder of the religion, stipulated that an essential architectural character of a House of Worship is a nine-sided circular shape.[9] While all current Baháʼí Houses of Worship have a dome, this is not regarded as an essential part of their architecture.[10] Baháʼí scripture also states that no pictures, statues or images be displayed within the House of Worship and no pulpits or altars be incorporated as an architectural feature (readers may stand behind simple portable lecture stands).[7]
Model of the temple at the information centre

Inspired by the lotus flower, the design for the House of Worship in New Delhi is composed of 27 free-standing marble-clad “petals” arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides.[1] The nine doors of the Lotus Temple open onto a central hall 34.3 meters tall[1] that can seat 1,300 people[6] and hold up to 2,500 in all.[2] The surface of the House of Worship is made of white marble from Penteli mountain in Greece, the same marble used in the construction of many ancient monuments (including the Parthenon[6]) and other Baháʼí buildings.[11] Along with its nine surrounding ponds and gardens, the Lotus Temple property comprises 26 acres (105,000 m²; 10.5 ha).

Lotus temple is situated near Okhla NSIC and Kalkaji Mandir metro station is just 500 meters away.