The Lotus Temple (also known as Kamal Mandir) in Delhi is a matchless architectural marvel and one of the prime tourist attractions of the National Capital. Shaped in the form of a spectacular lotus with white petals, it makes for a break-taking sight and attracts countless visitors throughout the year.

Unlike most other places of worship, this temple or Bahai House of Worship does not allow ritualistic ceremonies and has no fixed pattern to conduct worship. A glorious symbol of oneness, this place of worship must be on your itinerary when planning a trip and booking your.

Want to know more? Here is everything you need to know about the Lotus Temple in Delhi, including its history, architecture, timings, and other details.

Lotus Temple: History

The Lotus Temple Delhi is a Bahai House of Worship, also known as Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, opened to the public in December 1986. Like all other Bahai temples, it is also dedicated to the oneness of religions and humanity. Followers of all religions are welcome to gather here to pray, worship, and read their scriptures. The Lotus Temple in Delhi is touted as one of the seven major Bahai Houses of Worship located across the world and the only one in Asia.

Architecture

Surrounded by lush green landscaped gardens, this lotus-inspired structure spreads across 26 acres of land. Made using white marble sourced from Greece, it comprises of 27 petals in the free-standing state. These petals are organized in groups of three to lend the structure a nine-sided circular shape, as has been indicated in the Bahai scripture. There are nine entrances that open to a huge central hall, which is about 40 meters in height.

The temple has a seating capacity of 1300 people and can accommodate 2500 people at a time.

There are no altars or pulpits inside the Lotus Temple, which is a common feature of all Bahai Houses of Worship. The interiors are devoid of any statues, pictures, or image as well. An eye-catching feature of the temple is the nine pools of water located around the petals. They give the impression of a half-bloomed lotus in a water body and the whole structure looks spectacular when illuminated in the night.

This temple was designed by Fariborz Sahba, an Iranian-American architect while the structural design was done by Flint and Neill, a UK firm. Larsen & Toubro Limited’s ECC Construction Group undertook the construction work of the temple and completed it at a cost of 10 million dollars.

Lotus Temple: Today

Today, the Lotus Temple is undoubtedly one of the most popular religious as well as . By the end of 2001, the temple had drawn more than 70 million visitors from across the globe, making it one of the most visited structures in the world. As per the Government of India, by April 2014, the temple had received more than 100 million visitors. The temple is frequently featured in films, publications, and television productions and has also won many awards for its spellbinding architecture.

Lesser Known Facts about Lotus Temple

- With around 4.5 million visitors per year, it is among the most visited structures in the world.

- The temple is featured on a ₹6.50 postage stamp in India.

- Fariborz Sahba chose the lotus symbol as it’s a common symbolism in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Islam.

- It is the first temple in the national capital that makes use of solar power.

- Ardishír Rustampúr, a Bahai follower from Hyderabad in the Sindh province of Pakistan, donated his entire savings to fund the land purchase of the temple.

In the busy national capital of India, the Lotus Temple (Kamal Mandir) is an oasis of serenity where you can meditate and pray at peace. At the same time, this is where you can witness one of the most stupendous structures in the world. Why not plan a visit to the Lotus Temple, Delhi and spend some time soaking in its beauty and peaceful vibes?

Cre: fabhotels