Lotus Temple

Completed in 1986, the Lotus Temple stands as a Baháʼí House of Worship designed by the Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba. The project took over a decade to complete, involving meticulous planning to ensure the 27 marble petals were perfectly aligned. It was conceived as a space where people of all faiths could gather to meditate and pray in silence, reflecting the Baháʼí belief in the oneness of mankind and religions. The structure is an architectural marvel that has won numerous awards for its innovative design and structural ingenuity. The design is inspired by the lotus flower, which holds deep spiritual significance in many Indian traditions, symbolizing purity and divinity. The temple is composed of three ranks of petals: the entrance petals, the outer petals, and the inner petals, all made of white marble sourced from Greece. These petals surround a central hall capable of holding 2,500 people, featuring a glass and steel roof that allows natural light to filter through, creating a celestial atmosphere inside. Over the years, the Lotus Temple has transitioned from a religious site to a global icon of peace and modern architecture. Surrounded by nine ponds and 26 acres of lush gardens, it serves as a green lung in the heart of New Delhi. It has welcomed over 100 million visitors since its inauguration, making it one of the most visited buildings in the world, surpassing even the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal in annual footfall during certain periods.