The Lotus Temple, also known as the Bahá’í House of Worship, was inaugurated in 1986 in Kalkaji, South Delhi. It is notable not only for its stunning lotus-inspired design but also for being a place of worship open to all, regardless of religion, caste, or nationality. It stands as a symbol of peace, unity, and inclusivity, which are the core principles of the Bahá’í Faith.
| Name | Lotus Temple / Bahá’í House of Worship |
| Location | Kalkaji, South Delhi, India |
| Faith | Bahá’í |
| Inaugurated | December 24, 1986 |
| Architect | Fariborz Sahba |
| Design Inspiration | Lotus Flower |
| Petals | 27 marble petals in groups of three |
| Structure Height | 34 meters (112 feet) |
| Seating Capacity | Approx. 1,300 |
| Visitors | 4–5 million annually |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Materials | White marble (Greece), concrete |
| Special Features | No idols, rituals, sermons; open to all religions |
Background: The Bahá’í Faith
Founded in mid-19th century Persia by Bahá’u’lláh, the Bahá’í Faith emphasizes:
Oneness of God, Unity of all religions, and Equality of all human beings.
Bahá’í Houses of Worship, also known as Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, are built worldwide to reflect this universal outlook. They are dedicated to prayer and meditation, without images, rituals, clergy, or sermons.
The Lotus Temple in New Delhi is the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent, and one of the only eight Bahá’í temples in the world.
Conception and Construction
Vision
The idea of constructing a Bahá’í House of Worship in India was first proposed in the 1950s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that the project gained momentum. India, being home to one of the largest Bahá’í populations outside Iran, was a natural choice.
Architect: Fariborz Sahba
The temple was designed by Fariborz Sahba, a young Iranian Bahá’í architect. He was only 29 years old when he took on the massive challenge of creating a structure that would reflect the core philosophy of the Bahá’í Faith while resonating with Indian cultural symbols.
Inspired by the lotus flower, which is sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and other Indian traditions, Sahba envisioned a structure that would evoke purity, beauty, and transcendence.
Construction Timeline
Land acquisition: 1976
Design phase: Late 1970s
Construction began: 1980
Completed and opened: December 24, 1986
The entire project took over 6 years of construction and 10 years of planning.
Engineering and Design Marvel
Structural Details
27 petals made of white marble arranged in groups of 3 to form 9 sides.
Each side opens to a door, leading into a central prayer hall with a capacity of 1,300 seated visitors.
Surrounded by 9 reflecting pools and lush gardens, enhancing the lotus motif.
The structure is 34 meters tall and spans over 26 acres.
Materials Used
The white marble was imported from the Penteli mountains in Greece, the same source used for the Parthenon in Athens.
Built using reinforced concrete clad in marble.
Extensive use of natural light and ventilation, a rarity for large public buildings in India at the time.
Global Recognition and Awards
Since its inauguration, the Lotus Temple has been recognized globally for its architecture and spiritual significance.
Major recognitions include
Architectural awards from the UK, USA, and Germany.
Featured in the Encyclopaedia Britannica as one of the most visited buildings in the world.
Frequently ranked alongside the Sydney Opera House and Eiffel Tower for architectural significance.
Symbolic and Spiritual Significance
No sermons or rituals are conducted in the temple — only prayers and readings from sacred scriptures of various religions.
It promotes unity through diversity — emphasizing that all religions are valid paths to the Divine.
It stands as a beacon of interfaith dialogue, meditative silence, and inclusive worship.
Visitor Impact
The Lotus Temple is one of the most visited religious buildings in the world, drawing 4 to 5 million visitors annually.
On certain days, especially during holidays, it has welcomed over 100,000 visitors in a single day.
Entry is free for all.
Legacy and Cultural Relevance
In India, where temples are usually bound to specific faiths, the Lotus Temple broke that mold by offering a truly universal space for reflection and worship.
It is a symbol of secularism, spiritual unity, and modern Indian identity. Today, it continues to be a popular destination for tourists, architecture students, interfaith groups, and spiritual seekers alike.