Since its dedication ceremony on December 24, 1986, which was attended by some 8000 people from 125 countries, this House of Worship has been endearing the hearts of all its visitors. It is now popularly known as the Taj Mahal of the twentieth century. The shrine, in fact a dream come true in concrete, has been designed by a young architect, Mr. Fariburz Sabha, a Canadian citizen and a Bahá'í of Iranian descent, who was selected from among the world's top architects. The temple took six years and eight months to be completed at a cost of Rs. 10 000 000.

The Lotus, as seen from outside, has three sets of petals. The outermost set of nine petals, called the entrance leaves, open outwards and form the nine entrances all around the outer annular hall. The next set of nine petals, called "inner leaves", which appear to be partly closed, rise above the rest and form the main structure housing the central hall. Since the Lotus is open at the top, a glass and steel roof provides protection from rain and lets in natural light in the auditorium.

In the raising of the House of Worship in New Delhi traditional Indian means of construction were employed coupled with the most modern Western engineering design. Fariborz Sahba, Canadian architect of Iranian origin, spent 10 years in designing and project management, and with the help of a team of about 800 engineers, technicians, artisans and workers brought to realisation one of the most complicated constructions in the world. Forty engineers and 800 labourers along with many skilled Bahá'ís worked day and night to erect this splendid edifice. The marble used to cover the petals was quarried from the Mount Pentitikon mines in Greece and thereafter sent to Italy, where each panel was cut to the required size and shape before being transported to the site at Delhi.

The Lotus, as seen from outside, has three sets of petals. The outermost set of nine petals, called the entrance leaves, open outwards and form the nine entrances all around the outer annular hall. The next set of nine petals, called "inner leaves", which appear to be partly closed, rise above the rest and form the main structure housing the central hall. Since the Lotus is open at the top, a glass and steel roof provides protection from rain and lets in natural light in the auditorium.

Rising pure and unsullied above stagnant, muddy waters, the Indians have seen this flower as worthy of emulation, teaching them to be detached from material preoccupations. This temple joins six other Bahai temples around the world. Each of these Houses while sharing some basic design concepts, has its own distinct cultural identity embodying the principle of unity in diversity.

Since its inauguration to public worship in December 1986, the Bahai House of Worship has drawn to its portals more than 50 million visitors, making it the most visited edifice in the world. People have come regardless of the scorching summer heat of Delhi, which sometimes rises above 40°C during the months of June to September, and have braced the chill and cold rains that Delhi experiences during winter. They have admired the beautiful lotus form of the Temple, and have been fascinated by the teachings of the Bahai Faith, which believes in oneness of God, oneness of religions and oneness of mankind.

Bahai's Temple Is a very recent architectural marvel of the Bahai faith and is visible from several spots in south Delhi. Located in Kalkaji in the south of Delhi, it is lotus shaped and has rightly been given the name. Timings: Summer : 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Winter 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday closed.

Worldroom: New Delhi City Guide

New Delhi Weather: