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Lotus Temple

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Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple, New Delhi, India.

The Lotus Temple is a House of Worship located in New Delhi, India, and also a prominent attraction in Delhi. The temple was designed by Iranian-Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba. The temple took 6 years to complete, where the construction began on April 21, 1980, and the edifice was formally dedicated to the Unity of God, Unity of Religion and Unity of Mankind on December, 1986. It cost an approximate US $20 million dollars. [1] It has won numerous architectural awards and been featured in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles.[2]

In total 10,000 m2 of Greek marble was quarried for the temple. The marble was sent to Italy where each piece was cut and shipped to India.[1][3]

History[edit]

Site[edit]

The Lotus Temple is sited at the top of what was a "deserted, rock-strewn hillside"[4] in the village of Bahapur[5], in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The site initially encompassed a total of over 25,000 m2.[6] The major part of the funds needed to buy this land was donated by Ardishír Rustampúr from Hyderabad, who gave his entire life savings for this purpose in 1953.[7] At some point before construction of the House of Worship, authorities requisitioned the property to create a greenbelt. After lengthy negotiation which included the viewing of the design for the Temple, the government agreed to release over 89,000 m2 (22 acres) of land for use.[8] The template complex now comprises a total area of 107,000 m2 (26.5 acres), on which stand the main House of Worship, an ancillary block, an information centre and an education centre.[3]

  • Bahá’ís at the temple site in 1955.
    Bahá’ís at the temple site in 1955.
  • A marker at the temple site in 1959.
    A marker at the temple site in 1959.

Construction[edit]

Participants of the 1985 Asian Bahá’í Youth Conference visit the site of the House of Worship during construction.

Before its construction, doubts were raised about the feasibility of the project, due to the difficulty of finding the proper resources, technology, skilled manpower and equipment to carry it out. The white concrete and galvanized reinforcements of the structure had never been used before in India, and a novel and complex method of laying the concrete had to be developed. The concreting process had to be carried out in difficult conditions, with concrete being poured non-stop during both the monsoon season and the dry season, the latter of which brought temperatures at the site to 45°C. Careful study, quality control and supervision was required in order to ensure accurate work was done.[9]

The construction of the House of Worship was a goal of the Five Year Plan. As with all Bahá’í projects, only Bahá’ís were given the privilege of contributing funds for the construction. The National Spiritual Assembly printed coupons which were widely distributed to believers spread across 40,000 locations throughout the country, valued between 1 and 100 rupees. Many believers also contributed rice, wheat, and crafts, and donations were also received from Bahá’ís around the world through the Bahá’í funds.[10]

Clearing of the site began on February 27, 1979.[11] The contractors, the ECC Construction Group of Larsen & Toubro Limited, formally took charge of the project on April 21, 1980, and work began within two weeks. By the end of June, the first shipments of cement, sand, and aggregate had been received, and foundation pits had been excavated.[4] Concreting began on July 30, during the monsoon season. Besides intermittent rain showers, crews had to contend with material shortages, inflation, and lack of water and electricity. To deal with water shortages, at least three wells were built.[12]

Construction of the House of Worship cost an approximate US $20 million dollars. [1]

  • Construction begins in 1979.
    Construction begins in 1979.
  • Construction as of 1981.
    Construction as of 1981.
  • Construction as of 1983.
    Construction as of 1983.
  • A construction worker, 1983.
    A construction worker, 1983.

Dedication[edit]

The edifice was formally dedicated to the Unity of God, Unity of Religion and Unity of Mankind in a gathering held December 23–27, 1986.[1][13]

Design[edit]

An architectural model of the House of Worship.

The architect of the Lotus Temple was Iranian-Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba,[14], who submitted a design at the prompting of Hand of the Cause Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir while he was working as an associate architect on the Seat of the Universal House of Justice.[15] The design was inspired by the lotus flower, a significant symbol of purity that is inseparably associated with worship and religion in India.[3][16]

The structure of the House of Worship is composed of 27 free-standing marble clad "petals" arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides, meant to resemble a half-opened lotus in its natural habitat, floating and surrounded by its leaves.[3] A shell of nine inner petals form the outer dome with the leaves meeting around an open space at the apex, nine more petals surround these, and a further nine petals serve as shelters around the entrances to the central prayer hall; each layer gives the appearance of petals opening progressively.[17][18] The main structure is surrounded by nine large pools of water and fountains which not only enhance the beauty of the building but also provide a "practical and economical" natural cooling system for the central hall.[17] An adjunct of the main building is its ancillary building with two wings which houses a reception center, offices, conference hall, library and audio-visual room.[3][17][18]

The central prayer hall has a seating capacity of 1,300 people, and can accommodate up to 2,500 people.[3]

Tourism[edit]

The House of Worship is one of the most visited buildings in the world.

In the first 30 years of its existence, the House of Worship attracted more than 100 million visitors, making it one of the most visited buildings in the world.[19] It has at times surpassed the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal in terms of the number of yearly visitors. The House of Worship generally receives between 10,000–15,000 visitors on weekdays, and over 35,000 on weekends; on occasion, it has drawn as many as 150,000 people daily. On average, it welcomes 4.3 million visitors each year.[20][21]

Much like the Terraces and Shrine of the Báb do in Israel, the House of Worship often features prominently in the promotion of tourism to India. In 2011, the year of its 25th anniversary, the House of Worship was depicted in promotional materials around the world as part of the Incredible India campaign which showcased the country's striking diversity and achievements. Indian officials have praised the House of Worship as "a unique place to be visited" with "world-class architecture, serene surroundings and an elevating atmosphere", as "an iconic symbol" which "encompasses everybody", and as "the one place where people belonging to any faith or religion can go for meditation or prayer".[22]

Within India, replicas of the Temple are sometimes produced as votive objects used in Hindu worship. During the festival of Durga Puja, temporary structures called pandals are set up to venerate the goddess Durga; pandals depicting the Lotus Temple have been used on several occasions.[23] In Sikkim a permanent replica of the Temple was made at the Shiv Mandir in Legship, a temple dedicated to the god Shiva.[24]

Distinctions[edit]

A night view.

The House of Worship has become one of the most visited buildings in India, at times surpassing even the Taj Mahal, earning it the appellation of "Taj Mahal of the 20th century"[19]. A CNN report from the early 2000s claimed it was "the most visited building in the world".[25] It has received a wide range of attention in professional architectural, fine art, religious, governmental and other venues, and has won numerous awards.[26]

Awards[edit]

  • 1987, Institution of Structural Engineers (UK): Gold medal award to Fariborz Sahba for excellence in religious art and architecture, for producing a building "so emulating the beauty of a flower and so striking in its visual impact".[19][27]
  • 1987, Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture, Affiliate of the American Institute of Architects, Washington, D.C.: First Honour award for "Excellence in Religious Art and Architecture" 1987 to Fariborz Sahba for the design of the Bahá’í House of Worship.[2][19]
  • 1988, Illuminating Engineering Society of North America: Paul Waterbury Outdoor Lighting Design Award - Special Citation for Exterior Lighting[2][19]
  • 1989, American Concrete Institute, Maharashtra-India Chapter: Award for "excellence in a concrete structure" and recognition as "one of the finest concrete structures of the world".[2][19]
  • 1994, Encyclopaedia Britannica: Recognition as an outstanding achievement of the time in its 'Architecture' section.[2]
  • 2000, Architectural Society of China: Recognition as one of 100 canonical works of the 20th century in the recently published "World Architecture 1900-2000: A Critical Mosaic, Volume Eight, South Asia."[28]
  • 2000, GlobArt Academy in Vienna: "GlobArt Academy 2000" award to Fariborz Sahba for "the magnitude of the service of [this] Taj Mahal of the 20th century in promoting the unity and harmony of people of all nations, religions and social strata, to an extent unsurpassed by any other architectural monument worldwide."[28]

Publications[edit]

Articles[edit]

As of 2003 it had been featured in television programmes in India, Russia and China. The Baha'i World Centre Library has archived more than 500 publications which have carried information on the Temple in the form of articles, interviews with the Architect and write-ups extolling the structure.[2]

  • In France, the magazine "Actualite des Religions" published a four-page article on the Lotus Temple in the fall of 2000 in a special edition called "Les religions et leurs chef-d'œuvres" (Religions and Their Masterpieces).[29][2]
  • Guinness World Records 2001
  • Architecture (magazine) Sept. 1987
  • Lighting Design+Application Vol 19, No. 6, Illuminating Engineering Society of North America "Taj Mahal of the Twentieth Century"
  • Wallpaper* October 2002
  • Progressive Architecture, February[2] and again December 1987
  • World Architecture: A Critical Mosaic 1900-2000, Vol 8, by Kenneth Frampton, Springer-Verlog Wien publishers, New York - "A power icon of great beauty ... an import symbol of the city."
  • Faith & Form - Journal of the IFRAA affiliate of the American Institute of Architects, Vol XXI "an extraordinary feat of design, construction and appropriateness of expressions"
  • Structural Engineer, UK (annual) Dec. 1987
  • Encyclopaedia Iranica 1989

Books[edit]

  • Forever in Bloom: The Lotus of Bahapur, Photographs by Raghu Rai, text by Roger White, Time Books International, 1992
  • The Dawning Place of the Remembrance of God, Thomas Press, 2002

Stamps[edit]

  • 6.50 Rupee postage Stamp featuring Baha'i House of Worship, New Delhi, India[30]

Music[edit]

  • Jewel in the Lotus (album) produced in 1987 by the keyboardist Jack Lenz for Don't Blink Music, Inc., in Ontario, Canada with songs or voices by Seals & Crofts, Layli Ericks, and others.[31]

Notable visitors[edit]

    • (1998 article with short list of notable visitors)[32]
    • (2003 list of notable visitors)[2]
    • (2004 addition)[33]
  • Pandit Ravi Shankar, sitar maestro
  • Ambassadors of Tanzania, Hungary, Panama, Romania
  • Officers of Government (Ministers, Premiers) from Bermuda, Hungry, India, Ivory Coast, Nepal, USSR/Russia, Romania, Singapore, Tajikstan, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia
  • Members of the Supreme Court of India
  • Dr. A.P.J. Kalam, President of India[26]
  • Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, wife of the late Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi
  • Prince Niranjan Shah, of Nepal
  • Dr. Uton Muchtar Rafei, Regional Director, World Health Organization
  • The President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson was the first Head of State on an official state visit[34]
  • Amjad Ali Khan[35] Classical Indian musician/composer
  • Princess Margarita of Romania and her husband, Prince Radu von Hohenzollern-Veringen
  • First Lady of the Slovak Republic, Silvia Gasparovicova
  • First Lady of Fiji, Leba Qarase[36]
  • Amjad Ali Khan (2000)
    Amjad Ali Khan (2000)
  • President of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (2000)
    President of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (2000)
  • Home Minister L. K. Advani (2000)
    Home Minister L. K. Advani (2000)
  • Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Lal Krishna Advani (2003)
    Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Lal Krishna Advani (2003)
  • Princess Margareta of Romania (2004)
    Princess Margareta of Romania (2004)
  • First Lady of Fiji, Leba Qarase (2005)
    First Lady of Fiji, Leba Qarase (2005)

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Ling, Daphne (2006). "The Lotus of Bahapur". Bahá’í News Malaysia (3/2006): 8–9.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Bahá’í Houses of Worship, India The Lotus of Bahapur
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Architecture". bahaihouseofworship.in. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Baha'i News (1981). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 608, Pg(s) 6. View as PDF.
  5. ↑ Universal House of Justice 1996. No. 196: Ceremony for Laying the Foundation Stone of the Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent. "In the process of demarcating the boundaries, it was discovered that the land was part of an ancient village named Bahapur, meaning 'the Abode of Baha'. In Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi, Bahá means 'a channel' or 'a water course'. By a happy coincidence, Bahá is Arabic for 'light', 'splendor', or 'glory' and is a form of Bahá’u’lláh’s name."
  6. ↑ Baha'i News (1959). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 340, Pg(s) 9. View as PDF.
  7. ↑ Faizi, Gloria (1993). Stories about Bahá’í Funds. New Delhi, India: Bahá’í Publishing Trust. ISBN 8185091765.
  8. ↑ Universal House of Justice 1996. No. 196: Ceremony for Laying the Foundation Stone of the Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent.
  9. ↑ Baha'i News (1986). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 663, Pg(s) 1. View as PDF.
  10. ↑ Baha'i News (1986). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 663, Pg(s) 1-2. View as PDF.
  11. ↑ Baha'i News (1979). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 581, Pg(s) 20. View as PDF.
  12. ↑ Baha'i News (1981). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 608, Pg(s) 7. View as PDF.
  13. ↑ Universal House of Justice 1996. No. 452: Plans for the Dedication of the Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent, New Delhi.
  14. ↑ Universal House of Justice 1996. No. 198: Appointment of Architects for the Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent and the Restoration of the House of ‘Abdu’lláh Páshá.
  15. ↑ Nooreyezdan, Sheriar (1986). "The Lotus of Bahapur". Published in The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1986). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 18 (1979-1983), Pg(s) 574. View as PDF.
  16. ↑ "In the shadow of the lotus, peace and calm prevail". Bahá’í World News Service. 19 March 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Nooreyezdan, Sheriar (1986). "The Lotus of Bahapur". Published in The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1986). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 18 (1979-1983), Pg(s) 575. View as PDF.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Baha'i News (1986). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 663, Pg(s) 6. View as PDF.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 "Bahá'í House of Worship at New Delhi - UNESCO World Heritage Centre". whc.unesco.org.
  20. ↑ "Lotus temple embodies "message for the world of today"". Bahá’í World News Service. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  21. ↑ "New educational facility opens at Baha'i Lotus Temple". Bahá’í World News Service. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  22. ↑ "Iconic "Lotus Temple" focus of worldwide campaign". Bahá’í World News Service. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  23. ↑
  24. ↑ Satellite image in Wikimapia.
  25. ↑ "Canadian Bahá'ís In the News - Fariborz Sahba". ca.bahai.org. Bahá’í Community of Canada. 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-10-27.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Commemorations in Chicago highlight the immense impact of House of Worship OneCountry, Volume 15, Issue 1 / April-June 2003
  27. ↑ An Architectural Marvel Published in The Tribune, Chandigarh, by Anil Sarwal.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Baha'i Temple in India continues to receive awards and recognitions New Delhi, 5 December 2000 (BWNS)
  29. ↑ Architect's Website(enter->publications)
  30. ↑ Baha'i Stamps
  31. ↑ Jewel in the Lotus
  32. ↑ An Architectural Marvel by Prof. Anil Sarwal, First published in The Tribune, Chandigarh
  33. ↑ Distinguished visitors praise Baha'i Temple
  34. ↑ President of Iceland visits Baha'i Temple in New Delhi New Delhi, India, 14 November 2000 (BWNS)
  35. ↑ Amjad Ali Khan, master of classical Indian music, performs at the Baha'i Lotus Temple New Delhi, 22 November 2000 (BWNS
  36. ↑ "Fiji's First Lady visits Temple". Bahá’í World News Service. 22 November 2005. Retrieved 4 April 2025.

Bibliography[edit]

External Links[edit]

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