Location: Delhi, India
Date: completed in 1986
Architect:
Purpose: Temple
Rating: 
(149 votes, average: 3.48 out of 5)
More info: 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.
(Image credits: 1, 2 : by Adib Roy, 3: samirluther)
There is a gorgeous temple in Chicago as well.
It was totally “inspired” in Sidney’s Opera House, wasn’t?
No. All Baha’i Houses of Worship are of a nine-sided design and, considering the significance of the lotus in India, it was decided to design it in the shape of a lotus. A few interesting notes – it has a raised floor and is surrounded on all sides by large reflecting pools, which combine to pull naturally cooled air up through the structure. Also, unlike Sydney, the concrete was poured manually by people carrying concrete in baskets, which, considering drying times and other elements, required a range of ground-breaking technologies. It is an amazingly beautiful structure that must be visited to be appreciated.
In fact, when it was under construction, Ravi Shankar was so impressed that he asked to be able to participate in the dedication.
Gorgeous Temple in World