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making
it the most visited edifice in the world. This temple
was open to public in December 1986. It is a very
remarkably striking building of simple design and
brilliantly executed. This temple is the Asian
headquarters of the Bahai faith.
Structure of Lotus Temple
This distinctive lotus shaped marvel in marble is
surrounded by a landscaped garden and is a symbol of
peace. In the construction of this temple several
traditional Indian means of construction were employed
together with the most modern Western engineering
design. Fariborz Sahba, Canadian architect of Iranian
origin with the help of a team of about 800 engineers,
technicians, artisans and workers brought to realisation
one of the most complicated constructions in the world.
This temple is made of marble, cement, dolomite and
sand. The temple is 34 m from floor to apex, 70 m in
diameter, with a seating capacity for 1300 worshippers.
45 lotus petals form the walls and 9 pools surround the
building.
The nine pools on the elevated platform signify the
green leaves of the lotus. These pools are not only an
attractive feature of the temple but also keep the
building cool. In the Bahai faith, the number nine
represents unity. The lotus shaped structure has two
layers. One layer comprises of the nine white
marble-covered petals that point to heaven, and the
other layer comprises of nine petals that conceal the
portals. In the interior of the temple there are no
religious icons, just copies of the Holy Scriptures and
wooden pews. In this temple through prayer and
meditation the people develop their strength of
character and sense of discipline.
It was not only difficult to align, so as to produce
accurately the complex double-curved surfaces and their
intersections and the closeness of the petals severely
restricted the workspace. The task was not carried out
entirely by the local labourers but each and every one
contributed in its construction. To avoid construction
joints, petals were concreted in a continuous operation
for approximately 48 hours. Concrete was carried up by
the women bearing 50-pound loads in baskets balanced on
their heads. All the steel reinforcing for the shells of
the lotus petals was galvanised to avoid rust on the
white concrete in the prevailing humid conditions.
The lotus flower signifies purity and peace, a
representation of the Manifestation of God, to the
people of India. This ancient symbol has been given a
modern and contemporary form in the structure of the
Baha'i temple. This temple is an ideal place for
meditation and to obtain peace and tranquility. Bahai
faith believe that prayer and meditation are the two
important instruments for the progress of the human
soul, both in this world and the next. The act of
praying is described as 'Conversation with God' and
meditation is perceived as the 'Key for opening the
doors of mysteries'. The main aim of the Bahai Faith is
to unite the hearts of the people and bring them closer
to their Creator. The Bahai Faith believes in oneness of
God, oneness of religions and oneness of mankind. |
