Lotus Temple
लोटस टेम्पल
A Bahá'í House of Worship completed in 1986. Its lotus shape, made of 27 white marble petals, makes it one of Delhi's most modern-looking buildings.
The Lotus Temple is the Bahá'í House of Worship for the Indian subcontinent. It was designed by Iranian-Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba and completed in 1986. Its 27 "petals" of concrete, clad in Greek Pentelic marble, form a half-open lotus in three tiers. It stands 34 metres tall, and nine pools surrounding it represent lily pads. It is one of the most visited buildings of the 20th century, with more than 4 million visitors a year. The Bahá'í faith holds that all religions share a common origin, and the temple is open to people of all faiths. There are no idols or pulpit inside, only a silent prayer hall that seats 2,400, where anyone may sit quietly for a few minutes. Entry is free. Opening hours are 09:00–17:30 in winter and 09:00–19:00 in summer, and it is closed on Mondays. Getting there: Kalkaji Mandir station on the Violet Line is a 5-minute walk away. It is in South Delhi, close to Humayun's Tomb and the Qutb Minar, so the three can be combined into a half-day route. To visit, walk along the garden path to the steps beneath the petals, remove your shoes (there is a shoe storage area), and queue to enter. Talking and photography are prohibited inside. Take photos of the exterior on the lawn after you leave. The visitor centre has information about the Bahá'í faith. Allow 45 minutes to an hour, and avoid weekend afternoons, when it is busiest. Eating is not allowed in the grounds, and you should wear shoes that are easy to take off.
Opening hours
09:00–17:30 (until 19:00 in summer), closed Mondays
Nearby sights
- Tughlaqabad Fort
- Humayun's Tomb
- Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah
- Sunder Nursery
- Dilli Haat (INA)
- Lodhi Garden
- Purana Qila
- Safdarjung's Tomb