Lotus Temple is also known as Bahai Temple, One of the most beautiful temples in India. 40M high Lotus Temple built in the shape of a half-opened Lotus flower.Situated at Kalkaji near Bahapur village, it is the seventh Baha’i House of Worship in the world. This pure white marble temple is also known as Taj of Modern India. Surrounded by carefully manicured lawns, it has been constructed using marble, cement, sand and dolomite. The temple structure has 27 giant white marble petals and nine pools, indicative of the nine unifying spiritual paths of the Baha’i faith, which believes in oneness of all religions and mankind.
The temple has no restrictions for visitors and is open to people from all religions. The place provides immaculate environment for meditation, peace and wisdom. The Bahai temple was completed in 1986. Since then the temple has received recognition from all over the world for its splendid architecture and design. Lotus Temple is among the most visited monuments in India. The credit for building this beautiful structure goes to the Persian architect Fariborz Sahba from Canada.
Personifying Lotus in the temple does not merely mean giving a lotus shape to the edifice but it has a message to the people of India in the form of a manifestation from the almighty. Lotus is a symbol of peace, purity, love and immortality. It is this particular specialty of Lotus flower which makes the flower an important icon in Indian culture and society. This is why the design of Lotus temple has been inspired by lotus flower.
Architecture Design and Patterns
You will be spellbound by the sacredness of this place. The number nine, represents the highest digit and, in the Bahai faith, it represents unity. The nine pools on the elevated platform signify the green leaves of the lotus – and cool the stark, elegant interior. The lotus shaped structure has two layers: nine white marble-covered petals that point to heaven, and nine petals that conceal the portals. The interior conforms to that of all Bahai temples: there are no religious icons, just copies of the Holy Scriptures and wooden pews. Develop your strength of character and sense of discipline through prayer and meditation. Bahai faith believe that these are important instruments for the progress of the human soul, both in this world and the next. The Bahai is pray to one God, the Creator of the Universe. The act of praying is described as ‘Conversation with God’ and meditation is perceived as the ‘Key for opening the doors of mysteries’. In that state, man withdraws himself from all outside objects and immerses himself in the ocean of spiritual life.
The temple has the capacity to accommodate nearly 2500 people and has nine doors that open in a central hall. The whole structure is made of white marble that adds to the glory of the temple. It is about 40 meters tall surrounded by nine ponds and appears as if the temple is floating like a Lotus flower in water.
The most appraising aspect of this particular architectural masterpiece is the integration of the effervescent Indian history along with the modern engineering and architecture. The temple has to its accreditation being recognized all over the world as one of the most visited edifices in the world with almost 50 million people having visited the temple since its inception in 1986.
