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Lotus Temple(Bahai House) in New Delhi


Here is Some information about Lotus Temple(Bahai) in Delhi.



Location :Opposite the ancient Kalkaji Mandir, East of Nehru Place in South Delhi
Designed By : Architect Fariburz Sabha
Build In :1986
known as : Bahai House of Worship
Phone : 011 26444029
Parking : Free
Timings : Summers 9:00 am to 7:00 pm,Winters 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Nearest Railway Station : Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station : Kalkaji Mandir
Nearest International Airport :Indira Gandhi Intenational Airport
Time required for sightseeing : Approximately 1.5 hours
Famous As : The Lotus Temple
Significance : One of the seven Bahai Houses of Worship in the world.
Prayer Timings : 1000 hrs – 1015 hrs , 1200 hrs – 1215 hrs, 1500 hrs – 1515 hrs, 1700 hrs – 1715 hrs.
Official Website: http://www.bahaindia.org


More Information about  Lotus Temple




Lotus Temple is Located in Kalkaji in the south of Delhi, it is lotus shaped and has rightly been given the name. It is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It is open to all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining peace and tranquility. Baha’i Temple in Delhi is often compared to the Sydney Opera House. Located 12km southeast of Connaught Place, has emerged as a top attraction for the tourists. Popularly known as the Lotus Temple, Baha’i Temple is a major feature of Delhi and is well known for its appearance. There is no doubt that in years to come the temple will prove to be a mecca for the visitors. Baha’ism is considered to be a syncretism of the nine great religions of the world and traces its genesis to its prophet Baha’u'llah, born in Persia in the twentieth century. One of the most beautiful temples in India, the 40 m high Lotus Temple is also known as Bahai Temple, and is built in the shape of a half-opened Lotus flower. Situated near Bahapur village, it is the seventh Baha’i House of Worship in the world. Completed in 1986, this pure white marble temple is also known as Taj of Modern India. Lotus Temple is one of the remarkable architectures of Bahai faith. It is located at Kalkaji in New Delhi. The temple looks like a lotus flower and is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. The temple has no restrictions for visitors and is open to people from all religions. The place provides immaculate environment for meditation, peace and wisdom.The lotus represents the Manifestation of God, and is also a symbol of purity and tenderness.

Its significance is deeply rooted in the minds and hearts of the Indians. In the epic poem Mahabharata, the Creator Brahma is described as having sprung from the lotus that grew out of Lord Vishnu’s navel when that deity lay absorbed in meditation, There is a deep and universal reverence for the lotus, which is regarded as a sacred flower associated with worship throughout many centuries. In Buddhist folklore the Boddhisatva Avalokiteswara is represented as born from a lotus, and is usually depicted as standing or sitting on a lotus pedestal and holding a lotus bloom in his hand. Buddhists glorify him in their prayers, “Om Mani Padme Hum”, “Yea, 0 Jewel in the Lotus!” Lord Buddha says you have to be like a lotus which, although living in dirty water, still remains beautiful and undefiled by its surroundings.

The faith emphasizes on prayer, described as, ‘Conversation with God’ and meditation, described as ‘Key for opening the doors of mysteries’. The temple represents the broad views and scientific ideas of Baha`i faith and signifies the purity and the universality of the Lord. A perfect silence is maintained in the main hall of prayer, to allow the devotees to meditate and pray peacefully. So, we realise that the lotus is associated with worship, and has been a part of the life and thoughts of Indians through the ages. It will seem to them as though they have been worshipping in this Temple in their dreams for years.. It is said that about four million people visit the temple daily. The temple looks all the more divine in the night, when the colored lights impart it a colorful look. One can visit the temple from Tuesday to Sunday, between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm. The most appraising aspect of this particular architectural masterpiece is the integration of the effervescent Indian history along with the modern engineering and architecture. The temple has to its accreditation being recognized all over the world as one of the most visited edifices in the world with almost 50 million people having visited the temple since its inception in 1986. Now their vision has become a reality and. God willing, some day they will all enter and worship in it. The Lotus Temple is the Bahai temple in Delhi, India. It is called the Lotus temple because of its lotus-like shape. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Delhi. It has a beautiful garden outside where tourists can relax. It was inaugurated in 1986. It is the main Bahai temple of the Indian subcontinent.

 It is one of the most heavily visited sites in the whole world with 4 million visitors every year. It welcomes visitors irrespective of which religion they belong to. A real beauty indeed. It is one of the most photographed buildings in the world. History of the Bahá’í Faith in India: The history of the Bahá’í Faith in India started with the inception of the Faith in Iran when the Báb (literally, the Gate) inaugurated a new era in the history of the human race. The Báb Himself had appointed one of the Indian believers as the ‘Letter of Living’ in 1844-45, the first year of His Ministry. Since then, India is spiritually connected with the Bahá’i Faith. In the Bahai’s Holy Writings there are prayers for all occasions and can be offered individually or collectively. A great importance is given to prayers as is revealed in all the scriptures. The Bahai’s Writings specify that the mere act of praying is not sufficient, instead the inspiration drawn from one’s prayers must be translated into action and that promotes the well being of humanity.

 As foretold by the Báb, the Promised One of all ages and peoples, Bahá’u’lláh (literally the Glory of God) revealed Himself in 1863. He, Himself, dispatched one of the distinguished Bahá’í teachers, Jamal Effendi, to teach the Cause of God in the years 1874-75. Jamal Effendi (left) traveled to many States and was successful in attracting many learned people and few Navaabs (ruler of the states) including the Navaab of Rampur State (now in U.P.) to the Faith. One young man who accepted was Syed Mustafa Roumi who later became distinguished in his manifold services and was appointed as a Hand of the Cause of God. Some of them accepted Bahá’u’lláh as the Universal Manifestation of God whose advent has been prophesied in all the Holy Scriptures. The other teachers who came to India during Bahá’u’lláh’s Ministry included Mishkin Qalam, the distinguished Bahá’í Calligrapher. A series of teachers from the East and the West continued visiting India and traveling throughout the country during the time of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (literally, the Servant of Bahá), the much-loved Master of the Bahá’í Faith. Prominent among them were Mirza Mahram and Mirza Mahmud Zarqani.

The Lotus Temple is open to all regardless of religion, or any other distinction, as emphasized inBahá’í texts. The Bahá’í laws emphasize that the spirit of the House of Worship be that it is a gathering place where people of all religions may worship God without denominational restrictions.The Bahá’í laws also stipulate that only the holy scriptures of the Bahá’í Faith and other religions can be read or chanted inside in any language; while readings and prayers can be set to music by choirs, no musical instruments can be played inside. Furthermore no sermons can be delivered, and there can be no ritualistic ceremonies practiced. Since its inauguration to public worship in December 1986, the Bahá’í House of Worship in Delhi has, as of late 2002, attracted more than 50 million visitors, making it one of the most visited buildings in the world.The lotus represents the Manifestation of God, and is also a symbol of purity and tenderness. Its significance is deeply rooted in the minds and hearts of the Indians. In the epic poem Mahabharata, the Creator Brahma is described as having sprung from the lotus that grew out of Lord Vishnu’s navel when that deity lay absorbed in meditation, There is a deep and universal reverence for the lotus, which is regarded as a sacred flower associated with worship throughout many centuries. In Buddhist folklore the Boddhisatva Avalokiteswara is represented as born from a lotus, and is usually depicted as standing or sitting on a lotus pedestal and holding a lotus bloom in his hand.

Awards Received

 

  1. Award given to the architect Mr. Sabha in the year 1987 from International Federation for Art and Architecture, USA.
  2. Award for the structural design by the Institute of Structural Engineers in UK
  3. The Citation Award for personifying the visual impact of the beautiful Lotus flower.
  4. Accreditation for its outdoor illumination in the year 1988
  5. American Concrete Institute Award for being one of the most artistically built concrete structures.
  6. In the year 2000 it received the "Glob Art Academy Award" from Glob Art Academy in Vienna.

Tourist Places Near The Lotus Temple Delhi


In Delhi many tourist attraction and also many mejor attractions are very closed from the Lotus Temple Delhi.The Important Tourist Attractions such as Kalkaji Temple, Khirki Masjid, Satpula, Nizamuddin’s Shrine and Chirag Dehlvi’s Dargah are located near to the Lotus Temple.Also many places to see and enjoy near the temple.

How to Reach Lotus Temple Delhi



Delhi, the capital city of India is connected to the other neighboring states and countries via air, road and rail. After one reaches Delhi via different means of transportation, opt for tourist buses, auto-rickshaw and easy cab to reach the Lotus temple.

Another option to reach the temple is Sarai Kale Khan Bus Stand (Nizamuddin Railway Station), from where one can manage a seat in local buses (Bus No.492) to Nehru Place. A few minute walk or a travel by rickshaw from the bus stand will help you explore the Lotus temple.

By Road : The Lotus temple is situated to the east of the intersection of Mathura Road (the way to Agra) and the outer Ring Road. Tourists can reach upto Nehru Place (the bus terminal is well connected to every part of the city), from where one can take an auto-rickshaw or walk for 15 minutes.

By Rail :  New Delhi Railway Station and Old Delhi Railway Station, both of which is connected to rest of India by several trains. Through road services Delhi has well defined road and can be reached from anywhere very easily.

By Air: The temple is located in New Delhi so reaching by air would not be a problem for the visitors. Anyone is free to visit the temple and pray or meditate silently according to their own religion. The temple is around 45 minutes from Domestic Airport.

By Delhi Metro: Lotus Temple can be easily reached by metro. Riding on a Nehru Place- Kalkaji Mandir metro. Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station is an elevated station on the VioletLine. It is located between Nehru Place and Violet Line Puri stations and provides access to tourist sites such as Kalkaji Mandir, Lotus Temple and ISKCON Temple which are situated very near to the station. It is visible as a white oval structure. Than, from Kalkaji Mandir it is just a 5 minutes walking distance.

Nearest Hotels and Restaurants of  Lotus Temple Delhi

 

 Buddy's Broasted
217A, Phase III, Ikhla, New Delhi

ChaoBella
Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla Plot No. 1, Community Centre, Pkhla Phase I, New Delhi

Edesia
Crowne Plaza Today, Plot No.1, Community Centre, Okhla Phase I, New Delhi

Mughal Cuisine
D-3 Abul Fazal Enclave, Jamia Nagar, Delhi

Nathu's Sweets
E-49/12, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi

Purani Dilli
371, Main Road, Zakir Nagar, Okhla, New Delhi

Red Moon Bakery
W-41, Okhla Industrial Area Phase II, New Delhi

Slice of Italy
A-99/2, Okhla, Phase II, New Delhi

True Blue
DDA Market, Local Shopping Complex, Okhla, Phase I, New Delhi

Zaitoon
C-2A, Food Lounge, DLF Place, Saket, New Delhi

Mantra Amaltas
23, Friends Colony (west), New Delhi, DL 110065
4 star hotel
3.80 km From Lotus Temple

Hotel Stallions
B-14, Captain Kaur Marg, Greater Kailash I, East of Kailash, New Delhi
1.6 km From Lotus Temple

Hotel Madonna
53/7 Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi
0.5 km From Lotus Temple

The Royce Hotel
D-803, New Friends Colony, New Delhi
5.4 km From Lotus Temple

Basil The Residency
Mathura Rd, Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla Industrial Area, New delhi, Delhi
4.3 km From Lotus Temple

The Amber
198,Sukhdev Vihar, New Delhi, DL
3.6 km From Lotus Temple

Tavern Business Hotel
105 Bharat Nagar New Friends Colony, New Delhi
2.7 km From Lotus Temple

The Suryaa New Delhi
Mathura Road, New Friends Colony, New Delhi
5 star hotel
3.2 km From Lotus Temple
 

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Google Map for Lotus Temple Delhi

 




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