Lotus Temple, Delhi
Notable for a flowerlike shape and being one of the prominent tourist attractions in New Delhi, the Lotus Temple is located amidst the lush green landscape. Visiting the temple one could sense the pleasant and tranquil ambiance which is perfect for the ones looking for meditation, peace, and wisdom. The beautiful structure is visited by the locals and international tourists throughout the year. The vicinity of the temple comprises gardens decorated with towering trees, short bushes, and colorful flowers.
Designed by Iranian-American architect Fariborz Sahba, the Lotus Temple was completed in November 1980 and was opened for the public in December 1986. Also, the architect won acclaim for the project before the completion of the temple project. The Lotus Temple being one of the seven Baha’i Houses of Worship has won numerous architectural awards and has also been subsequently featured in many newspapers and magazines. Later in the year 2001, a report declared Lotus Temple as one of the most visited buildings in the world.
Architecture
The beautiful Lotus Temple is made up of Greek white marble, that too in the shape of a Lotus. One of the main reasons behind choosing Lotus as the symbol of the temple was that Lotus, like a flower, is common to many different religions. This includes Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism as well as Islam.
The structure for this Baha’i House of Worship in Delhi comprises 27 free-standing white marble lotus petals which are further organized into bunches of three. These bunches then form the nine sides. The nine doors of the temple then open into a magnificent central hall, which can hold over 2,000 people at once. An interesting part of the design of the Lotus Temple is that it has been designed in a way such that no external or additional lighting is required to light up the large prayer hall.
The light you get is that which filters through the inner folds of the Lotus petals. It then spreads throughout the hall, acting as a sort of natural light. The Lotus Temple is spread over an expanse of more than 26 acres and has nine beautiful pools as well as lush green gardens surrounding it, adding to the beauty and glory of the entire place.
