Tourist attraction in Delhi - Baha’i Temple (Lotus Temple)

From ancient Egypt to modern days, in all religions known to men, lotus flower is one the most powerful symbols.
Growing in depths of muddy pond water, hidden from the eyes of the world, lotus emerges on the surface and seduces with its beautiful, pure form and rich smell. Every night lotus closes and sinks under the water, and in the morning it appears again in all its beauty - symbol of purity, rebirth, honor, luck, everything considered good and precious.
Knowing that, it’s not a surprise that the youngest, but the fastest growing religion it the world, Baha’i, has chosen to build its House of Worship in the shape of magnificent white lotus.

Baha’i religion

Religion was founded by Baha’u’llah, respectful Tehran citizen, who proclaimed himself as a Messenger of God in mid-nineteenth century. Just like Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Christ and Muhammad, he brought to mankind a divine message, but a very distinctive one. The essence of his teaching lies in unity – there is only one God, one human race, and all religions are in fact, the evolutionary stages in the process of discovering God’s will for human kind. The Faith itself has escaped the traps that all other religions fell into – it remained whole and undivided into sects. Unlike the others, it is not restrictive and archaic in its teachings – Baha’i stands against all forms of prejudice and discrimination (based on race, sex, religion or nation), extremes created by the uneven distribution of income and unsustainable industrial growth. They stand for universal system of education, equality between man and woman, social-economic justice, harmony between religion and science and environmental preservation. On these principles they tend to create united, global society that can overcome the differences that were accumulated for centuries.

Architectural design of Baha’i Temple in Delhi

Lotus Temple was built in 1986 as a Mother Temple for Baha’i community in India, and it is one of the eight Houses of Worship that have been built around the world so far. It is consist of 27 lotus petals arranged into nine clusters, three petals in each of them, so those clusters can be arranged into circular form according to Baha’i architectural rules. There are nine entrances that lead into central hall that is 40 meter tall, made of Greek white marble. Inside the Temple there are no altars, statues or pictures. Lotus Temple is open for people of all religions, no restrictions whatsoever, because it is built as a gathering place for people from all over the world. There are no ritual ceremonies, and people who come here can pray, meditate or read holy books not only those belonging to Baha’i religion but to all others.

Baha’i Temple as one of the major tourist attraction in Delhi

Since its opening to public in 1986, Lotus Temple visited more then 70 million tourists, which means around 8-10000 every day. Tourists come here to enjoy the beautiful architecture and to learn about Baha’i religion. They all become amazed with the simplicity of Baha’i beliefs, and the value of their universal principles. So while you are on your tour to Delhi, don’t miss the opportunity to include Lotus Temple as a part of your travel itinerary. There are only a few places on this world where you can manifest your own religious beliefs, and still be accepted and treated with respect and love. No matter where you come from, Lotus Temple doors are open for you.