Baha’i Temple (Lotus Temple), a modern architectural question
The renowned Baha’i Temple in Delhi, a modern architectural marvel, is often referred to as the Lotus Temple due to its unique shape. As a traditional place of worship for the Baha’i faith, it has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Indian capital since its completion in 1986.
Like all Baha’i places of worship, the Lotus Temple incorporates several characteristic design elements, some of which are specified in Baha’i scriptures. Abdu’l Baha, the son of the religion’s founder, indicated that a Baha’i place of worship should have a circular nine-sided shape. Adhering to this design requirement and inspired by the lotus flower, the Delhi Baha’i Temple features 27 separate marble-covered ‘petals’ arranged in groups of three to create nine sides. The building also includes a dome, although this is not considered an essential element of a Baha’i place of worship.
The Lotus Temple has nine entrances that lead to a massive central hall capable of accommodating 2,500 people. The hall, over 40 meters high, is constructed of white marble sourced from Greece’s Penteli mountain, which has been used in numerous historical monuments and earlier Baha’i temples. The design and project management of
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