About Lotus Temple Delhi
One of Delhi’s most popular tourist destinations is the Lotus Temple, which draws the attention of visitors worldwide. This is also one of the seven principal Baha’i temples globally. The Bahai Temple is located in Nehru Place. It was constructed in 1986 and has attracted tourists due to its structural looks and unity symbolism. The surrounding beautiful green scenery adds to the main structure’s allure.
The Lotus Temple, designed by Fariburz Sabha, is a stunning building with significant meaning. Lotus Temple is a shrine or site of worship not devoted to only one deity. Instead, it is a location that places a greater emphasis on interfaith harmony, world peace, and communal meditation.
This temple, also understood as the Bahai house of idolization, is accessible to individuals of all faiths. The lotus bud is used frequently in numerous religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Islam, and it symbolizes the same things. As a result, it has gained recognition and admiration worldwide. One of India’s most popular tourist destinations, Lotus Mahal Delhi, receives more than 10,000 tourists per day.
Lotus Temple: Architecture
source: bahaipedia
Lotus Temple construction
Fariborz Sahba, an Iranian architect who received numerous prizes for this work of art, constructed the Delhi Kamal Temple. It has a lotus flower shape, as the name would imply. It is the main Bahai temple of idolization; the additional six are located in Sydney, Australia; Panama City, Panama; Wilmette, USA; Apia, Western Samoa; Frankfurt, Germany; and Kampala, Uganda.
The temple, made of marble, is shaped like a half-opened lotus flower with 27 petals. The temple’s exquisite design highlights the lotus flower’s timeless beauty and is a masterpiece of architectural architecture. The Lotus Flowering Building was constructed in the design above since the lotus flower is associated with many other major world faiths, symbolizing harmony and oneness.
The building of the Lotus Temple took roughly ten years to complete. The Lotus Temple was built by a group of about 800 engineers, technicians, artisans, workers, and the primary architect. Also made with a lot of effort is this fascinating temple. For instance, to prevent construction joints, the petals of the lotus flower were covered over 48 hours.
Lotus Temple top view
The Lotus Temple in Delhi comprises three tiers, each with nine petals. The building is elevated further by placing each row of 9 petals on a raised platform. There are three tiers; two of them are constructed with an apparent inward curve that covers the internal dome, while the last level is created with an evident outward curve that resembles a shed and covers nine openings.
Since there are no straight lines in the layout of the Lotus temple, building the layout with its complicated double-curved exteriors was challenging for the architects, technologists, and everyone employed. The petals are made of white reinforced concrete cast and covered in white marble. The lotus petals have galvanized outer shells to prevent rust blotches on the white marble. Nine arches support the coil of the hall.
The Lotus flower is partially open, allowing the sun rays to fill the Lotus Mahal Delhi’s auditorium. A steel and glass roof covers the building and lets light through while shielding it from dust and rain.
Lotus Temple interior
Source: Wikipedia
The 26-acre Lotus Temple Delhi is divided into several buildings, including the main structure, which serves as the center of worship, administrative and library buildings, restrooms, a reception area, etc. The primary gathering space is in the shape of a lotus. The whole layout is white marble and counts to its mesmerizing beauty. The marble utilized to build the temple was transported from Penteli Mountain, Greece; however, this marble was used to make all the notable Baha’i houses of worship.
The center auditorium of the Baha’i temple in Delhi, called the “Inside Lotus Temple” is approximately 40 meters tall and has a vast capacity to hold about 2500 people. This hallway has nine exits. Ponds and gardens surround each of the nine gates, creating an alluring scene. The lotus-shaped structure looks to be hovering in a large body of water. The fact that Lotus Temple Delhi was the main temple in Delhi to begin utilizing solar electricity is another appealing aspect of the temple.
Lotus Temple height
The white marble building rises to more than 130 feet and is situated on a raised plinth with a hectare) area of landscaped gardens. It is flanked by nine ponds and is bordered by red sandstone walkways (40 meters).
Timings of Lotus temple Delhi
In the summer, Lotus Temple is open at 9 AM and closed at 7 PM. Winter operation hours start at 9 AM and end at 5:30 PM. Except for Monday, Kamal Temple is functional for seven days.
Entry fee at the Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple is free to visit. However, a special permit is needed if you intend to take pictures.
Lotus Temple nowadays
Today, the Lotus Temple is undoubtedly one of Delhi’s most visited places of worship and tourist attractions. One of the most frequented buildings in the world, the temple attracted more than 70 million visitors by the end of 2001 from all around the world. According to the Indian government, the temple had more than 100 million visitors as of April 2014. In addition, the temple has received numerous honors for its stunning architecture and is frequently depicted in books, movies, and television shows.
Lotus Temple facts
- It is one of the world’s most visited structures, with about 4.5 million people annually.
- A 6.50-rupee postage stamp in India features the temple.
- As a prevalent symbol in Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, Fariborz Sahba picked the lotus as his emblem.
- It uses solar energy for the first time among temples in the capital.
- A Bahai believer from Hyderabad in Pakistan’s Sindh province named Ardishr Rustampr gave his entire savings to pay for the land for the temple.
Benefits of Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple in Delhi, home to the newest branch of the Baha’i faith, is a constant reminder of emancipation from slavery. The shrine is virtually maintained and has high security in addition. A large prayer hall is accessible from multiple doors in the most prominent building. People sometimes come here to pray in silence because there are no altars, idols, symbols, or other non-secular things within to indicate that this is a place of worship. One might spend hours here contemplating and meditating due to the absolute peacefulness of this spot.
How to reach the Lotus Temple in Delhi?
Lotus Temple, also known as Bahai Temple, is a well-known monument in Delhi and is easily accessible by public transportation. If they choose, visitors can also travel hassle-free by hiring a private cab. Metro trains are the most acceptable form of public transport for getting to the Baha’i Temple. The Violet line’s Kalkaji Mandir metro stop is the one that is closest to Lotus Temple. You can take a taxi or walk the short five to ten minutes from the station to the temple here.
Conclusion
The Lotus Temple (Kamal Mandir) is a tranquil haven in the bustling Indian city where you can pray and contemplate solitude. At the same time, you may see one of the most extraordinary constructions here. In contrast to most other places of worship, this temple or Baha’i House of Worship forbids ritualistic ceremonies and has no set procedure for prayer. This temple of worship, a magnificent symbol of unity, must be on your agenda when making travel plans and hotel reservations in Delhi.
FAQs
Why Was the Lotus Temple Built?
The Lotus Temple was created to represent the purity and unity that the Baha'i faith values. It was constructed as one of the Indian Baha'i centers of worship. There are six more centers spread out over the globe. The lotus flower was chosen as a symbol of peace and harmony by architect Fariborz Sahba after extensive travels throughout the nation allowed him to understand the temple architecture and utilization of many religious symbols.
Who founded the Lotus Temple?
Architect Fariborz Sahba founded the Lotus Temple. He finished building in 1986. The Lotus Temple was constructed following the guidelines for Baha'i houses of worship provided by Abdu'l-Bahái, the founder of the Baha'i Faith.
Where is the Lotus Temple in Delhi, India?
The Lotus Temple is situated close to Nehru Place. It is located to the east of Nehru Place. The Kalkaji Devi Temple is not far away. Kalkaji Mandir is the closest metro stop to the lotus temple.
Who Constructed the Delhi Lotus Temple?
An Iranian architect named Mr. Fariborz Sahba constructed the Lotus Temple in Delhi, and his work was recognized with numerous accolades from throughout the globe.
