Bahá'í House of Worship

Only eight Bahá'í Houses of Worship have been built worldwide. A ninth is currently under construction in Santiago, Chile. Perhaps the most stunning of these can be found in the heart of New Delhi. A total of 27 white, marble-clad petals rise to form the building's striking lotus flower roof. The design is not simply aesthetic. Many Asian religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrian - have special associations with the lotus flower.

Since opening in December 1986, more than 60 million people have visited the temple. Last year alone it received more than 4.6 million visitors. Today, I decided to add myself to the count after discovering the temple was a short 15 minute walk from my hotel.


It really is a popular place. As I drew near the main entrance a steady stream of people, many dressed in colourful saris, could be seen streaming through the grounds. This crowd never let up the entire time I was there. They say that no less than 13,000 people visit each day, with up to 150,000 attending on holy days.


All Bahá'í Houses of Worship are built for people from all religions to worship in as the Bahá'í believe that the world's religions come from the same God. New Delhi's temple is built on two floors. The upper level consists of a single Prayer Hall with seating for 1,300 people. The hall's interior is plain and white, with a ceiling that soars almost 40 metres at its central apex. Not one icon or religious symbol decorate its walls reinforcing its religious neutrality.


The building's lotus theme continues with a series of ponds around its lower floor. These help the building 'float' above its surrounding which includes a simple garden set in 26 acre site. The neat, tidy lawn lies in stark contrast to the rubble-filled, refuse littered streets outside it gates. After years of travelling to India, the constant juxtaposition between grime and serenity has become one of my most enduring memories.