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| Monuments
> Lotus Temple |
| Location
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New
Delhi |
| State
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Delhi |
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People
travel to discover new and exciting places, but a visit
to the lotus temple in Delhi will be more about discovering
yourself. The unique culture of Bahai sect will struck you
due to its surprisingly new outlook towards a religion.
As soon as you walk into the temple complex, the architectural
marvel of the temple will make you breathless. Located in
Kalkaji in the south of Delhi, it is lotus shaped and has
rightly been given the name.
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| Even
if your visit to this temple is short, it will certainly
enhance your thoughtfulness due to the warmth and
genuineness of this place. Similar in style to the
Sydney opera house is this white marble and concrete
structure in the shape of a lotus flower. This is
the Asian headquarters of the Bahai faith, and a circular
temple that is open to all. It looks particularly
spectacular at dusk when it is floodlit. |
| Peace
And Tranquility |
| Lotus
temple is a must see destination on any traveler's
list. Creating a dreamlike atmosphere, the lotus temple
is a very recent architectural marvel of the Bahai
faith and is visible from several spots in south Delhi.
Made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand, the temple
is open to all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation
and for obtaining peace and tranquility. Completed
in 1986, the temple was designed by Fariburz Sahba,
an Iranian-born Canadian architect. |
| Design
& Patterns |
| You
will be spellbound by the sacredness of this place.
The number nine, represents the highest digit and,
in the Bahai faith, it represents unity. The nine
pools on the elevated platform signify the green leaves
of the lotus -- and cool the stark, elegant interior.
The lotus shaped structure has two layers: nine white
marble-covered petals that point to heaven, and nine
petals that conceal the portals. The interior conforms
to that of all Bahai temples: there are no religious
icons, just copies of the Holy Scriptures and wooden
pews. |
| Prayer
And Meditation |
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Develop your
strength of character and sense of discipline through
prayer and meditation. Bahai faith believe that these
are important instruments for the progress of the
human soul, both in this world and the next. The Bahai
is pray to one God, the Creator of the Universe. The
act of praying is described as 'Conversation with
God' and meditation is perceived as the 'Key for opening
the doors of mysteries'. In that state, man withdraws
himself from all outside objects and immerses himself
in the ocean of spiritual life. |
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