History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Lotus Temple, Delhi, India
Exemplary of majestic art, spirituality, and peace, Delhi’s Lotus Temple has become symbolic of the country’s secularist values and diversity. Standing on the principle of the oneness of humankind of the Baha’i faith, the temple welcomes people from all religion to pray, reflect and meditate within its precincts, a place which includes all and excludes only negativity. This edifice is thus made in complete dedication to the one God, the Architect of all humanity and of the cosmos.
The temple’s construction got completed in 1986, funded by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of India, which also acts as the management authority of the House of Worship. Baha’is across the world donated for the temple’s construction.
A common element found in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam, the major religions practised in India is ‘lotus’ and architect Furiburz Sabha was very much impressed from the way it was used in all these religions. Thus, the building complex got inspired by the lotus flower, attempting to bring out the concept of purity, simplicity and freshness to the Bahá’í Faith, inspired by the India philosophy. 10,000 sq. meter of marble was mined from Greece and amended to the prerequisite size and shape in Italy.
These marbles clad the shells placed in the inner and outer of the building. In addition to serve the aesthetic function, the nine pools surrounding the main building also help in ventilation process of the inside prayer hall of the building. These pools of water when lit up, in natural light, look spectacular at dusk. The temple’s building has won widespread acclaim for its architecture techniques and has received numerous awards and publications for the same. The following structures are present in the complex, spread over an area of approximate 27 acres of land.
The main House of Worship has a seating capacity of more than 1300 individuals and evokes a feeling that this House of Worship belongs to them.
The Library in the ancillary block
Conference hall and the administrative building
A newly built Information Centre and an Education Centre serves the humanitarian work the faith involves itself in.
The House of Worship appoints the importance of praying in the life of individuals and societies and provides a safe space for expressing the desire to communicate with the Almighty through prayer, comprehended as an essential direct spiritual conversation of the soul with its Protector. It accentuates the implication of cooperative worship as a fundamental element of a prosperous spiritual and material life.
Worshipped by people of all religions, the temple is a free place to express spirituality in any belief and ritual. The sacred texts of not only the Baháʼí faith but also other religions can also be read or chanted.
Also, reading texts other than scriptural is not allowed inside the premises to maintain the sanctity of the place. Delivering sermons or lectures, or fund-raising of any kind is also forbidden in the Prayer Hall to ensure the place is not involved in any other purpose than spirituality. There is also not a fixed set of worship pattern, so prayers can be offered anytime maintain the decorum of the place.
Timings of Lotus Temple, Delhi
The temple is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am till 5:30 pm. The temple is closed on Mondays. Best time to visit is during sunset and sunrise, when the building’s aesthetics are magnified as the sun sheds its light over it.
How to Reach Lotus Temple Delhi, The Capital of India
The nearest metro station is Kalkaji Metro Station, which serves as the Interchange of violet and magenta lines of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). A 5 minutes’ walk from the station leads the way to the temple.
Delhi being the capital of India and largest metropolitan area of India, and major tourist destination, of Indiawhere people across the world visits around the year. It is very well connected with all major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Delhi has multiple major railway junction from where you can get train to all region of India. Delhi has domestic and international Airport from where you can get flight to all major cities of India and across the globe. You can find private taxi and public transport as well from both airport to reach to city center. Delhi is located at 46 km from Noida, 40 km from Gurugram, 242 km from Agra, 41 km from Gaziabad, 243 km from Chandigarh. You can get direct buses and train from almost all cities to reach Delhi.
