One
of the most beautiful temples in India, the 40 m high Bahai Temple is
also known as Lotus Temple as it is built in the shape of a half-opened
Lotus flower. Completed in 1986, this pure white marble temple is also
known as Taj of Modern India. Surrounded by carefully manicured lawns,
it has been constructed using marble, cement, sand and dolomite. The
temple structure has 27 giant white marble petals and nine pools
indicative of the nine unifying spiritual paths of the Baha'i faith,
which believes in oneness of all religions and mankind. 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 and tranquilly without being disturbed. It is said that about four million people visit it daily. Situated on Bahapur Hills, it is the seventh Baha'i houses of worship in the world. The temple looks all the more divine in the night when the colored lights impart it a multihued look. One can visit the temple from Tuesday to Sunday between 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.
