Visit World Famous Lotus Temple in Delhi

Visiting the Lotus Temple in Delhi feels more like a spiritual experience than a religious one. The Lotus Temple is not for worshipping any deity. It does not have any deity or idol. When you enter the Lotus Temple, you will see a large prayer hall with many chairs to sit on. There are no figures here. A large space where you can meditate peacefully and pray to the deities. The Lotus Temple looks like a lotus flower from the outside. It is famous all over the world for its magnificent design. It is as famous as the Qutub Minar, Akshardham Temple, or the Red Fort in Delhi.

Lotus Temple – A Baháʼí House of Worship

You may be surprised to know that the Lotus Temple does not have idols of any deity. You will not find any statues, paintings, or deities here. There are only prayer rooms where you can pray and relax. The Lotus Temple is a place of worship for the Baha’i religion. Baha’is believe that all gods are the same and all religions are equal. Anyone from all backgrounds can visit the Lotus Temple. It does not matter if you are Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Muslim, or Tamil. You will not see any priests or Catholic priests giving speeches or singing religious songs aloud. Instead, you will see volunteers singing prayers from different religions. There are no rhythmic instruments like drums or cymbals in the Lotus Temple.

The Architecture Of Lotus Temple

The most beautiful thing about the Lotus Temple is its magnificent structure. When you look at the Lotus Temple from a distance, it looks like a lotus flower. Marble was used in Greece to build the Lotus Temple. The exterior of the Lotus Temple is made of 27 marble flowers. If you look carefully at the marble flowers, you will find that three petals form a set. There are nine sets of these. Inside the Lotus Temple, you will find a prayer hall with several benches to sit.

There are water ponds under the Lotus Temple. There are 9 of these ponds. The water from the pond keeps the building and the inside of the Lotus Temple cool. These nine ponds keep the inside cool even on hot summer days. The upper part of this building is open, allowing natural sunlight to come in. Natural sunlight and cool air keep the inside bright and fresh.

The construction of the Lotus Temple was completed in 1986. When it was opened to the public, it quickly became the main tourist destination of Delhi. So far 4 million people have visited it. It has received many national and foreign awards for its impressive architecture and design. It is a magnificent building with a beautiful design. Even today you can find articles about the Lotus Temple in any major magazine or newspaper.

What Activities To Do?

Adults and children can do so many activities at the Lotus Temple. The various activities that you can do at Lotus Temple are mentioned below.

• Take A Guided Tour – You can ask the volunteers to guide you through the Conference Hall and tell you a bit about the Lotus Temple. You can watch short films about the Bahai faith and learn more about the Lotus Temple. The movies are shown every 20 minutes from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm.
• Get Details At The Information Centre – You can learn more about the Bahai faith at the Information Centre. There are photo panels, textual information, and showreels that you can view here.
• Attend A Prayer Service – In a typical prayer service, you will participate in reading sessions where volunteers read out from the Holy Scriptures. Prayers are chanted from different religions at these meetings. The prayer service can last 10 to 15 minutes.
• Visit A Pool-Side Exhibition – You can also attend a poolside exhibit and learn more about the Bahai Lotus Temple.
• View The Architecture Closely – You can walk on the walkways and bridges that surround the Lotus Temple. The view of the nine pools is very beautiful.
• Learn In The Classes & Meetings – Lotus Temple also conducts children’s classes and youth sessions that develop the spiritual and intellectual abilities of children and teenagers. Bahai teachings are taught during meetings.

Best Time To Visit Lotus Temple

You should visit the Lotus Temple during the winter season. The months from October to March are best for sightseeing around Lotus Temple. You should visit Lotus Temple during evening hours as the floodlights illuminate the entire Lotus Temple with colored lights. Mornings are also best for visiting the Lotus Temple.

Tips For Visiting Lotus Temple

Some tips for visiting the Lotus Temple can be very helpful to you.

• Maintain silence and do not make any noise during prayer sessions.
• Do not leave prayer halls when prayers are going on.
• Remove your shoes before you enter.
• Remember that you may have to wait in a long queue.
• Photography is allowed at Lotus Temple.

How To Reach Lotus Temple Delhi?

Lotus Temple is very close to Kalkaji Metro Station. Lotus Temple is 1 km from the metro station. You can walk to the temple or take a local auto to reach Lotus Temple. Nehru Place is also close to Lotus Temple.

Attractions That You Can Visit Near Lotus Temple

• ISKCON Temple
• Shri Kalka Ji Temple
• Okhla Bird Sanctuary
• Lodhi Garden
• Safdarjung Tomb
• Delhi Haat
• Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah
• Kale Khan ka Makbara
• Worlds of Wonder (Amusement Park)
• Hauz Khas Village

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)