India is known to have many temples, mosques, and churches that are all designed in such a way that they exude a serene and calm atmosphere to their visitors. Thousands of people visit these locations every day. These holy places are for worship, and people go there to pay their respects to the gods.
Each worship site has stunning architectural design, and people can’t help but admire it. The Lotus Temple is a popular tourist destination where people come to connect. It is famous for its heavenly architecture and sees thousands of visitors daily.
Just as the name suggests, the temple is built in the shape of a Lotus, which attracts tourists all year round. Unlike other temples, the Lotus Temple does not have any ceremonies or rituals for worship; rather, it’s a symbol of oneness.
Why is the Lotus Temple famous?
The Lotus Temple is one of the most visited places in India and is a Baha house of worship where people of all faiths come here to connect. The temple is admired for its lotus-shaped shape and unique elegance.
The petals are arranged in such a manner that they create the shape of the Lotus flowers. Nine entrances lead to the central hall, which has a height of 34 meters and can hold 1,300 people. The temple has won several awards and has been featured in many articles.
There are a few other places you can visit when you’re in Delhi to see the Lotus Temple:
- ISKCON Temple
- Kalkaji Devi Temple
- Humayun’s Tomb
- India Gate
- Qutub Minar
- Lodhi Tomb
- Akshardham Temple
Delhi’s must-see location, the Lotus Temple, has an atmosphere of peace and tranquility where you can ponder and pray. The Lotus Temple has so much to offer those who come here, and it’s a place to spend time enjoying the peaceful and calm aura it carries. Come to Delhi and arrange a trip to appreciate the beauty of the Lotus Temple.
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History of the Lotus Temple
Opening: 1 January 1987
The Lotus Temple is also called the Bahi House of Worship, as it dedicates humanity and religion as one. It does not matter where you come from or what your religion is; everyone is welcome. People of various faiths come here to pray, read holy books, and worship their deities. The lotus temple is the only Bahai temple in Asia.
Fariborz Sahba did the architectural design of the temple, and the design was done by Flint and Neil, a British firm. Over eighteen months, the construction was done by Larsen and Toubro Lt.
Ten million dollars were spent to complete the Lotus Temple, and today it shines bright. Ardishír Rustampúr donated funds to buy the land for the temple, and part of the temple’s budget was used to make a greenhouse where indigenous plants and flowers are studied.
Architecture of the Lotus Temple
The lotus-inspired temple is made with white marble from Greece, comprises 27 petals, and is surrounded by lush greenery as it spreads over twenty-six acres. The petals are organized in such a way that they create a nine-sided round shape, honoring the scripture of Bahai.
The temple has nine entrances leading to a central hall, which can hold 2,500 people at once. The temple invites people of all faiths, and its interior doesn’t showcase any picture or statue that represents a particular religion. The nine pools at the nine gates resemble a half-blossomed lotus flower, which is a captivating feature of the temple.
10 Interesting Facts About the Lotus Temple
- Ardishir Rustampur helped by donating to the construction of the temple. He was a Bahai follower himself.
- As the temple sees a daily visitor count of 10,00, it has been awarded a Guinness World Record.
- The white marble used for building the temple was imported from Greece from the Penteli Mountains.
- The temple has installed solar panels and is the only temple in Delhi to do so.
- The temple follows the Bahai scriptures, so there are no pictures or statues of any god.
- The temple has an audio-visual room where visitors can read religious texts in the library.
- The central hall of the temple is big enough to hold 2500 people, and its height reaches 40 meters.
- The temple’s design, architecture, and structure have been given many awards.
- The temple is divided into three layers, with each layer having nine petals.
- It took ten years to complete the temple.
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What is the best time to visit the Lotus Temple in Delhi?
Monday: Closed
Tuesday to Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ticket Price: Free Entry
The Lotus Temple can be visited throughout the year, and the ideal time to visit is from October to March.
The time from October to March is bearable, and it is easy to travel, so it is recommended that you plan your trip within these months.
Months to avoid: May to July are hot and humid, and you’ll get exhausted easily.
The timing of the temple may vary between summer and winter.
Summer Timings: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Winter Timings: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
How to Reach: Lotus Temple
Listed below are a few ways you can reach the Lotus Temple:
By Road: The DTC has bus routes that connect to the Lotus Temple; you can choose a car or auto if you don’t want to travel by bus.
By Metro: the nearest metro station is Kalkaji station, which is 500m away from the temple. The temple falls between the stations of Kalkaji and Nehru Palace, so you change from the Violet line to the Magenta line.
ByTrain: if you’re traveling longer distances, you can opt for the Delhi railways, as the Delhi railway station is near the temple.
By Air: if you live in another state or country and wish to visit the temple, air travel is another option. The Indra Gandhi International Airport is near the temple, so you can easily visit it.
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