Lotus Temple

The designs of this flower-shaped Bahá’í temple have won awards for their simple beauty and the way in which they promote unity between different religions. 

Admire the award-winning architecture and designs of the Lotus Temple, also known as the Bahá’í House of Worship. This lotus-flower-shaped temple is one of seven Bahá’í temples located around the world. Join tens of thousands of visitors that explore the grounds each day.

The temple was designed by Fariborz Sahba, who modelled it on the lotus flower as a symbol of purity and tenderness. Delight in the simple beauty of its 27 freestanding marble shells, which imitate the petals of a lotus flower. In 2000, the temple won the GlobArt Academy award, achieving a status as globally recognised masterpiece. This award was also due to the building's implicit promotion of unity among people of diverse nations, religions and social status.

Enter the temple through one of nine outer petals and find the prayer hall. Be sure to leave your shoes outside. Within the hall, chanting prayers can be heard from different religions, including Buddhism and Hinduism. In accordance with the Bahá’í faith, the hall lacks any decorations like paintings or figurines.

After experiencing the spiritual hall, learn about the history of the Bahá’í faith at the temple Information Centre. Here, short films depict the process of its construction. The temple also hosts a number of cultural events, including music and dance of traditional and modern forms. Details can be found on the temple's official website.

Find a pristine photo opportunity while walking around the temple gardens. Admire the reflections of nine pools around the construct, which represent the leaves of the lotus flower and act as a cooling system for the temple.

Drive south to the Lotus Temple from downtown New Delhi. The 25-minute trip can be done by car, bus or metro. The temple is open every day except for Monday and charges no entry fee. Photography is not allowed inside the prayer hall. A tour of the lotus temple takes about an hour, though more time can be spent enjoying the peaceful gardens.