New Delhi Bahai Temple: Location, History and Interior

The Lotus Temple in New Delhi is a super cool place that looks like a giant lotus flower! It’s a special Bahāʾī house of worship, and there are only nine of them in the whole world. The temple opened in December 1986, and an awesome Iranian architect named Fariborz Sahba designed it. He even got famous for his work on the temple before it was finished!

New Delhi Bahai Temple

The New Delhi Bahai Temple or Lotus Temple in Delhi, also known as the Kamal Temple, was designed by Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba, who earned numerous awards for this stunning architectural achievement. As its name suggests, the temple is shaped like a lotus flower, symbolizing oneness and harmony, a concept shared by many major religions.

This temple is one of the six major Bahā’ī Houses of Worship around the world, with the others located in:

• Sydney, Australia 
• Panama City, Panama
• Wilmette, USA
• Apia, Western Samoa
• Frankfurt, Germany
• Kampala, Uganda

Constructed using white marble, the Lotus Temple is designed as a half-opened lotus with 27 petals, each intricately crafted. The design beautifully reflects the eternal beauty of the lotus, representing the unity among religions and people, making it a symbol of peace and architectural brilliance.

Lotus Temple Delhi Nearest Metro Station

The Lotus Temple is conveniently located near the Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station, which serves as an interchange between the Violet Line and the Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro. This station is approximately 500 meters from the temple, making it the closest metro stop 

Alternatively, the Nehru Place Metro Station on the Violet Line is about 4 kilometers from the Lotus Temple . While it’s slightly farther, it remains a viable option if you’re traveling on the Violet Line and prefer not to interchange. From Nehru Place, you can hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach the temple.

Visiting Hours:

• The Lotus Temple welcomes visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, typically between 9:00 AM and 5:30 PM. Please note that the temple remains closed on Mondays. As today is Sunday, September 29, 2024, the temple is open to visitors.

Entry Fee:

• Admission to the Lotus Temple is free, allowing everyone to experience its serene environment and architectural beauty without any charge.

Photography:

• While photography is permitted in the temple’s exterior areas, it is prohibited inside the main prayer hall. This ensures a peaceful and respectful atmosphere for all visitors.
• For more detailed information or to plan your visit, you can refer to the official website of the Baháʼí House of Worship in New Delhi.

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Lotus Temple Delhi History

This temple gets its name because it’s shaped like a lotus, and the number nine is super important in the Bahāʾī Faith. That’s why the temple has nine sides. It’s built on a big platform surrounded by beautiful gardens and nine pools with red sandstone walkways.

The temple is made of white marble and is really tall—over 130 feet (about 40 meters) high! There are 27 marble petals grouped in sets of three to make nine sides. Each of the sides has nine entrances that lead into the middle of the temple.

The coolest part is how the petals are arranged. Some face outwards, making cool canopies over the entrances, and others curl inwards to cover the inside hall.

The middle of the temple is open, but there’s a sneaky glass-and-steel roof that lets sunlight in. When you look at it, it really feels like a giant lotus is floating and ready to bloom! Inside, the prayer hall can fit about 2,500 people. It’s a super peaceful and beautiful place!

Super Cool Facts about New Delhi Bahai Temple

Here are some facts and information about the Lotus Temple in Delhi:

• Built on: November 13, 1986 New Delhi Bahai Temple
• Material used: White marble New Delhi Bahai Temple
• Height: 34 meters New Delhi Bahai Temple
• Architect: Fariborz Sahba New Delhi Bahai Temple
• Architectural style: Expressionist architecture
• Number of petals: 27 lotus petals New Delhi Bahai Temple
• Hall capacity: Accommodates 2,500 people
• Location: Near Kalkaji Temple, East of Nehru Place
• Nearest metro station: Kalkaji Mandir New Delhi Bahai Temple
• Address: Lotus Temple Rd, Shambhu Dayal Bagh, Bahapur, Kalkaji, New Delhi, Delhi 110019
• Lotus temple in Delhi was built by Bahāʾī house of worship
• Lotus Temple Delhi nearest metro station is

New Delhi Bahai Temple Hours

Here are the timings for the Lotus Temple in Delhi:

• Summer Timings: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
• Winter Timings: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
• Closed on Mondays

Entry Fee: New Delhi Bahai Temple

No entry fee but need to take special permission for photography

Location : New Delhi Bahai Temple

Located east of Nehru Place, the Lotus Temple is an amazing structure shaped like a lotus flower and is the last of the seven major Bahā’ī temples built around the world. Finished in 1986, this beautiful temple is surrounded by lush green landscaped gardens.

The temple is made of pure white marble, and the architect Fariborz Sahba chose the lotus as a symbol because it’s important in many religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Islam. People from any faith can visit the temple to pray or meditate, making it a peaceful spot for everyone.

Around the “blooming petals,” there are nine pools of water that reflect the natural light. At dusk, when the temple is lit up by floodlights, it looks absolutely spectacular!

New Delhi Bahai Temple Bahai House of Worship, commonly known as the Lotus Temple or New Delhi Bahai Temple, located in New Delhi, India.

The interior of the Lotus Temple in Delhi is as mesmerizing as its exterior, spread over 26 acres of land. The temple complex consists of various sections, including the main building, which serves as the center for worship, along with an administrative building, a library, a reception center, and restrooms.

Here are some places to visit near the Lotus Temple in Delhi, offering a mix of spirituality, history, and relaxation:

1. Kalkaji Devi Temple

• Location: Opposite Nehru Place business center
• One of the most significant temples in North India, the Kalkaji Devi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali in her form as Goddess Kalka, who is believed to have incarnated to defeat the demon Raktabija. According to legend, this temple dates back to the Satya Yuga, with historical traces found from 1764 AD, attributed to the Maratha Rulers. The temple is especially popular during the Navaratri festival, attracting thousands of devotees.

2. Kalkaji District Park

• Location: Near Kalkaji Temple
• Kalkaji District Park is a lush green space ideal for a relaxing break. Its terraced gardens offer a serene environment and make it a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The park is also a venue for Navratri celebrations, adding a festive charm during the season.

3. ISKCON Temple (Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir)

• Location: Hare Krishna Hills
• Opened in 1988 and designed by Achyut Kanvinde, the ISKCON Temple is a beautiful blend of devotion and architecture. It is one of the largest ISKCON complexes in India, dedicated to Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha. The temple features breathtaking interiors depicting scenes from Hindu epics and creates a peaceful atmosphere with holy chants. It also focuses on educating visitors about Lord Krishna’s teachings.

Awards and Recognition for the Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple in Delhi has received multiple awards for its stunning architecture and innovative use of engineering. Some notable recognitions include:

• Guinness World Records (2001)
• Glob Art Academy Award (Vienna, 2000)
• International Federation for Art and Architecture Award (USA, 1987)
• Excellence in Religious Art and Architecture (Institution of Structural Engineers, UK, 1987)
• American Concrete Institute Award (for artistic concrete structures)
• Paul Waterbury Outdoor Lighting Design Award (1988, for exterior lighting)
• Excellence in Concrete Structure Award (Maharashtra Chapter, 1989)
• Featured in Encyclopaedia Britannica for outstanding achievement (1994 edition)

Significance

This beautiful temple stands as a symbol of the oneness of humankind, inviting people of all races, religions, and nationalities to come together, pray, and meditate. It serves as a collective center to foster unity and affection, embracing everyone equally. The temple is dedicated to the one God, the Creator of all people and the universe.

According to the Writings of the Bahá’í Faith, while God is unknowable in His Essence, He has sent a succession of Divine Messengers throughout time to guide and educate humanity.

These Manifestations of God help humanity connect with the Creator and advance spiritually.

New Delhi Bahai Temple offers a sacred space where people can engage in what is described as “the essential spiritual conversation of the soul with its Maker,” direct and without intermediaries.

Collective worship is also considered fundamental for creating a community life that is both spiritually and materially enriched. The devotional services at the temple are open to all, encouraging everyone to be uplifted by the Words of God.

While worship is a key aspect of the New Delhi Bahai Temple service to humanity is viewed as the outward expression of the inner transformation worship brings.

This service is reflected through acts of kindness, community worship in homes and neighborhoods, and an educational process that encourages individuals to build their capacity to serve others.

The House of Worship is envisioned as a hub for social, scientific, educational, and humanitarian services, earning its title as the “dawning-place of the mention of God.”

New Delhi Bahai Temple dedicated to public worship in 1986, the Lotus Temple is owned by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India.