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Bahai
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Mandir • Nizam-ud-din
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List of Places of Worship •
Lotus Temple |
 Panorama |
| Lotus
Temple |
 To
the people of India the lotus flower signifies purity
and peace, a representation of the Manifestation of
God. Rising pure and unsullied above stagnant, muddy
waters, the Indians have seen this flower as worthy
of emulation, teaching them to be detached from material
preoccupation. It is because this flower is so revered
in Indian mythology and culture that its translation
into the design of a temple has caught the attention
of the people at large.
The purity of the Lotus Temple is not limited to the
Kakaji location itself. It spreads its petals far and
wide into Delhi. The lotus temple is one landmark site
in Kalkaji and is a towering ensemble of pure magnificence.
Though it is a temple of Baha'I Faith, yet a visit to
the temple assures a visitor that there is no religion
here, there is only faith. Faith in all religions and
the universality of humankind.
 Not
only have there been millions of visitors from India,
but also large numbers from most countries of the world
have also paid a visit to the House of Worship, and
continue to visit. Besides hundreds of thousands of
visitors from all walks of life, a great number of dignitaries-
Heads of State, Government Ministers, Ambassadors, Heads
of foreign missions, diplomats, leaders of religion,
scholars, academicians, artists and other prominent
people have been received at the House of Worship.
This "House of Worship of the Indian subcontinent" joins
six other Bahá'í temples around the world. Each of these
Houses of Worship, while sharing some basic design concepts,
has its own distinct cultural identity embodying the
principle of unity in diversity. The lotus, the national
flower of India, is a recurring symbol in the religious
architecture of the Indian subcontinent. This ancient
symbol has been given a modern and contemporary form
in the structure of the Bahá'í House of Worship drawing
into its sanctum sanctorum people from all races, religious
backgrounds and culture from around the globe.
 The
structure of the House of Worship is composed of three
ranks of nine petals; each springing from a podium which
elevates the building above the surrounding plain. The
first two ranks curve inward, embracing the inner dome;
the third layer curves outward to form canopies over
the nine entrances. The petals, constructed of reinforced
white concrete cast in place, are clad in white marble
panels, performed to surface profiles and patterns related
to the geometry. The double layered interior dome, modelled
on the innermost portion of the lotus, is comprised
of 54 ribs with concrete shells between. The central
hall is ringed by nine arches that provide the main
support for the superstructure. Nine reflecting pools
surround the building on the outside, their form suggesting
the green leaves of the lotus flower.
In the raising of the House of Worship in New Delhi
traditional Indian means of construction were employed
coupled with the most modern Western engineering design.
Fariborz Sahba, Canadian architect of Iranian origin,
spent 10 years in designing and project management,
and with the help of a team of about 800 engineers,
technicians, artisans and workers brought to realization,
one of the most complicated constructions in the world.
The conversion of the lotus into structural designs
and working drawings alone took the architect and his
structural consultant Messrs. Flint and Neil Partnership
nearly 18 months of work. Translating the geometry of
the design, in which there are virtually no straight
lines, into the actual structure, presented particular
challenges in designing and erecting the framework.
According to the authorities, not only was it difficult
to align, so as to produce accurately the complex double-curved
surfaces and their intersections, but the closeness
of the petals severely restricted work space.
 The
work was carried out by a work force of almost 700 people,
including 400 carpenters at a time, using the most traditional
techniques and equipment to achieve the highest quality
and sophisticated construction. People have marvelled
that such a modern and complex design could be built
in India. The architect in fact believes that this design
could not have been executed anywhere else because it
is rare to find the combination of traditional craftsmanship,
pride in one's work, empathy for spiritual undertaking,
perseverance under all odds and ample patience, as can
be found in the people of India. As commented by progressive
Architecture of USA in their article on the Bahá'í Temple
"It goes to prove that high-tech concepts do not always
demand high-tech solutions."
When the temple was first opened to the general public
on January 1, 1987 they flocked to the "Lotus Temple",
as they fondly call it, from sheer curiosity. The vast
lawns, the massive white structure, the high ceiling
Prayer Hall, and a temple without idols standing so
close to an ancient Hindu temple aroused the interest
of all and sundry.
The Indian visitors, from the most sophisticated to
the most simple, has expressed perplexity at the absence
of any idols. It has been a hard task since explaining
to them that the all-pervasive Almighty cannot be put
in any limited form. Often the visitors ask the guides
where the object of adoration is. In their simplicity
some have placed flowers before the lectern used during
regular prayer services.
In an effort to enable the visitors get closer to the
Creator, the Lotus Temple is not just an architectural
wonder, a monument or a temple of any particular religion.
The faith in universal belief has been reinforced in
all who visit the House of Worship.
- Saurabh Sharma
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here for a 360° Panorama on Lotus temple |
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| Golden
Temple |
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From the famed Taj Mahal to, Dehradun, there
are several places of visit around Delhi.Click
Here
My Journey to the Kumbh...
Read about the exciting experiences of a lonely pilgrim.Click
Here |
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All about the National Gallery of Modern Art
and the Triveni Kala Sangam.Click
Here |
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Evenings
at India Gate
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under one section! Click
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The International Dolls Museum, the Sulabh International
Museum of Toilets...Delhi Museums...
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Deer
Park
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The Mughal Gardens, Shalimar Garden, Lodi Gardens...for a cool
day read on...Click
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The
National Zoological Park
It is one of the most serene places in the city of Delhi...Click
here |
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For the spiritaully inclined and the not-so-spiritually inclined
the places of worship in Delhi...
Click
Here
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Lotus Temple |
| This towering ensemble
of pure magnificence is a centre of universal faith Click
Here |
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Everything you need to keep in mind while visiting the capital.
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Here
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