LOTUS TEMPLE

About Lotus Temple

Located in the capital city of New Delhi, the Lotus Temple is a beautiful structure established and dedicated to the Baha’i faith. The magnificent structure of the building is created in the form of a stunning white petal lotus flower. 

It also ranks amongst the most visited buildings in the entire world. The shrine, which was completed and ready to open for the public in 1986, was designed and conceptualised by Fariborz Sahba, an Iranian architect. 

One of the most attractive things about the Lotus Temple, other than its structure, is the fact that this temple propagates the oneness of God, the Almighty. Furthermore, it is open to all kinds of people, regardless of their religion, gender, race or even nationality. 

Additionally, it is one out of the seven Baha’i House of Worship present in the whole world. The temple complex boasts of a unique and picturesque gate as well as verdant gardens filled with vibrant, colourful flowers. 

There is also a huge pool full of pristine blue water, adding to the opulence of the Lotus Temple. Furthermore, there is a pathway leading to the doors of the temple, which is lined with vivid green shrubs, making the entire ambience peaceful and serene.  

The architecture of the Lotus Temple is not just mesmerising, but attracts your attention as soon as you enter the temple premises. Transporting visitors into a deep, introspective silence, the Lotus Temple is one place where people go to meditate, relax and just soak in the tranquility. 

Here, people are generally requested to remain quiet. You can read as well as silently chant the religious texts of any faith you want here. In addition to singing musical renditions of religious texts at Lotus Temple, you can also go there with your near and dear ones for a quiet time, away from the bustling streets of Delhi. A visit to this idyllic temple amidst the busy city is a must, since it will surely enchant you.

Architecture of Lotus Temple: 

The beautiful Lotus Temple is made up of Greek white marble, that too in the shape of a Lotus. One of the main reasons behind choosing Lotus as the symbol of the temple was that Lotus, as a flower, is common to many different religions. This includes Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism as well as Islam. 

The structure for this Baha’i House of Worship in Delhi comprises of 27 free-standing white marble lotus petals which are further organised into bunches of three. These bunches then form the nine sides. The nine doors of the temple then open into a magnificent central hall, which can hold over 2,000 people at once. 

An interesting part of the design of the Lotus Temple is that it has been designed in a way such that no external or additional lighting is required to light up the large prayer hall. The light you get is that which filters through the inner folds of the Lotus petals. It then spreads throughout the hall, acting as a sort of natural light. 

The Lotus Temple is spread over an expanse of more than 26 acres, and has nine beautiful pools as well as lush green gardens surrounding it, adding to the beauty and glory of the entire place.  

Lotus Temple Other Essential Information

Location: Lotus Temple Rd, Bahapur, Shambhu Dayal Bagh, Kalkaji, New Delhi, Delhi 110019

Price: You do not need to pay any entry free to visit the iconic Lotus Temple. 

Timing: The Lotus Temple is open from 09:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m. on all days except Monday. 

Places to eat near Lotus Temple: 

Located in a great locality, the Lotus Temple has many places nearby where you can satiate your hunger after a day of exploring the amazing temple. Some of these places include:

1. Balaji Food Corner: If you are looking to indulge in affordable, yet delicious north Indian food, Balaji Food Corner is the place to go. This pure vegetarian eatery offers some of the best chole bhature, rajma chawal, kadhi chawal and chole chawal in the entire area.

2. The First Floor Restaurant: For a more upscale restaurant, with a variety of options and added facilities, you can always visit The First Floor Restaurant. Serving alcohol and non-vegetarian food, this place is known for its chicken dishes, such as chicken malai tikka, kalmi chicken and methi chicken, amongst others. They specialise in a wide variety of cuisines, ranging from Indian and Chinese to European as well. 

3. Golden Fiesta: In case you are looking to go to a restaurant which is kid friendly or caters to large groups, Golden Fiesta is a great place for that. With free Wi-Fi and air conditioning facilities, the restaurant also offers Chinese, Indian and fast food options to guests, along with a multitude of pastries and cakes.

4. Sukun Restaurant: Yet another cosy eatery near the Lotus Temple, this restaurant has a very calming ambience, with a courteous and polite service and professional staff. Catering to a variety of crowd, they specialise in Indian, Chinese, Mughlai and tandoori cuisines.

5. Govinda’s: Possibly the most famous of all places to eat near Lotus Temple, Govinda’s is actually a large hall with a soothing ambience, where you can indulge in great-tasting food. From Hong Kong fried noodles and baked macaroni, to kimchi chaat, dal makhani and shahi paneer, all the food here is cooked in pure ghee. You can also try the lip-smacking dal baati churma and the Govinda special kheer here. 

Tips for visiting Lotus Temple: 

You should always keep a few things in mind when you are visiting Lotus Temple, some of which are:

-The temple is a place for silent prayer and meditation, so it is advisable not to create a ruckus or make loud noises. 

-It is advisable not to leave the prayer hall during the prayer timings, which are from 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 03:00 p.m. and 05:00 p.m. Additionally, people are requested to wait inside the prayer hall until the prayers are over. 

-It is advisable not to read any non-scriptural texts, deliver any sermons, play instruments or try to raise funds at the Lotus Temple, because these are strictly forbidden here. 

-It is recommended to park your vehicles near the temple. That way, you will have to walk a short distance. 

-It is advised not to take any photographs inside the temple, as that is strictly prohibited. 

-Wear comfortable shoes, since the entire tour of the Lotus Temple may take more than a couple of hours and will require a lot of walking.

-Carry water and light snacks with you in case you get tired and hungry.