LOTUS TEMPLE, a place for worship for all
Delhi is also known as multi-ethnic city. It celebrates multi-hued inspirational culture. One such example in the city is the Lotus Temple.
Lotus Temple is originally named as Bahai House of Worship. The look of the temple is like a lotus flower, hence it is popularly known as Lotus Temple. Built in 1986, the Lotus Temple is a prominent attraction in Delhi and it serves as the Mother Temple of the subcontinent.
Worship at Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple is not restricted to any religion or cult. It is open for people of any religion or distinction. Around the world Bahai Houses of Worship are well known for this concept and it has been also emphasized in Bahai texts that the spirit of this temple is a gathering place where people can worship God without any denominational restrictions.
Structure of Lotus Temple
This structure has been inspired by lotus flower and its design is mainly composed of twenty-seven free-standing marble clad petals that is arranged in clusters of three forming nine sides. It has a dome as all the Bahai Houses of Worship have, which is regarded as essential part of the architecture.
Tourism at Lotus Temple
In 2002 the Bahai Lotus Temple attracted over fifty million visitors and it has been credited as the most visited buildings in the world. The number of visitors during those yeas has even surpassed the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal. Each year it draws between 130,000 to 150,000 people.
Notable Visitors at Lotus Temple :
- Pandit Ravi Shankar, sitar maestro
- Ambassadors of Tanzania, Hungary, Panama
- Officers of Government (Ministers, Premiers) from Bermuda, Hungary, India, Ivory Coast, Nepal, USSR/Russia, Romania, Singapore, Tajikstan, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia
- Members of the Supreme Court of India
- Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, wife of the late Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi
- Prince Niranjan Shah, Nepal
- Dr. Uton Muchtar Rafei, Regional Director, World Health Organization
- The President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson was the first Head of State on an official state visit
- Amjad Ali Khan, Classical Indian musician/composer
- Princess Margarita of Romania and her husband, Prince Radu von Hohenzollern-Veringen
- First Lady of the Slovak Republic, Silvia Gasparovicova
How to reach Lotus Temple
Lotus Temple is located in South Delhi, beside the famous Kalka Mandir. It is easily reached from any corner of Delhi. The auto-rickshaws, local buses and taxis are available from various points .
Nearest Metro Station : Central Secretariat
Nearest Railway Station : Nizamuddin Railway Station
Nearest International Airport : Indira Gandhi International Airport
Nearest Bus Terminus : Sarai Kale Khan
Hotels Near Lotus Temple :
InterContinental Hotels, Nehru Place, New Delhi - 110019
Rating : 5 Star Luxury
Distance : Approx. 0.75 km from Lotus Temple
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Friends Colony, New Delhi - 110025
Rating : 5 Star Deluxe
Distance : Approx. 1.70 km from Lotus Temple
Want to know more about Delhi Tourism? Here are few other tourist spots in Delhi:
