Lotus Temple

Overview

A Bahá'í House of Worship completed in 1986, shaped like a lotus flower with 27 free-standing marble-clad petals. Open to people of all faiths, it has won numerous architectural awards and attracts over 4 million visitors annually.

Highlights

• Architecture: Designed by Iranian-Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba; 27 petals of white marble from Penteli, Greece, the same quarry used for the Parthenon.
• Silence Inside: The interior seats 2,500 in meditative silence — no sermons, rituals, or images.
• Gardens: Nine reflecting pools surrounding the temple simulate the leaves of the lotus.

History

Construction ran from 1980 to 1986 and required structural engineering innovation to achieve the curving petal forms. It won the Globart Academy Award in 2000 and has been featured as one of the most visited buildings in the world.

Visitor Tips

• Shoes off: Remove shoes before entering the central hall.
• Closed Mondays: The temple is closed every Monday.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.