|
click
for Other
Tourist
Place
|
Lotus Temple - Bahai
Temple
It is a very recent architectural
marvel of the Bahai faith, located in Kalkaji, south of Delhi. Shaped like
a half opened Lotus flower, this temple 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. Bahai’s Temple is a marvel of modern
architecture, which is visible from several spots in south Delhi. 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 Bahai House of Worship drawing
into its sanctum sanctorum people from all races, religious backgrounds
and culture from around the globe. It represents the Bahai faith, - an
independent world religion; divine in origin, all embracing in scope, broad
in its outlook, scientific in its method, humanitarian in its principles,
and dynamic in the influence.
Do you know
Since its inauguration to
public worship in December 1986, the Bahai House of Worship has drawn to
its portals more than 50 million visitors, making it the most visited edifice
in the world. People have come regardless of the scorching summer heat
of Delhi, which sometimes rises above 40°C during the months of June
to September, and have braced the chill and cold rains that Delhi experiences
during winter. They have admired the beautiful lotus form of the Temple,
and have been fascinated by the teachings of the Bahai Faith, which believes
in oneness of God, oneness of religions and oneness of mankind.
The Grand Structure
In the raising of the House
of Worship in New Delhi traditional Indian means of construction were employed
coupled with the most modern Western engineering design. Fariborz Sahba,
Canadian architect of Iranian origin, spent 10 years in designing and project
management, and 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. Rising pure and unsullied above stagnant, muddy
waters, the Indians have seen this flower as worthy of emulation, teaching
them to be detached from material preoccupations. This temple joins six
other Bahai temples around the world. Each of these Houses while sharing
some basic design concepts, has its own distinct cultural identity embodying
the principle of unity in diversity. The structure of the House is composed
of three ranks of nine petals; each springing from a podium elevating the
building above the surrounding plain. The first two ranks curve inward,
embracing the inner dome; the third layer curves outward to form canopies
over the nine entrances. The petals, constructed of reinforced white concrete
cast in place, are clad in white marble panels, performed to surface profiles
and patterns related to the geometry. Nine arches that provide the main
support for the superstructure ring the central hall. Nine reflecting pools
surround the building on the outside, their form suggesting the green leaves
of the lotus flower.
|
Translating the geometry
of the design, in which there are virtually no straight lines, into the
actual structure presented particular challenges in designing and erecting
the framework. Not only was it difficult to align, so as to produce accurately
the complex double-curved surfaces and their intersections, but also the
closeness of the petals severely restricted workspace. Nevertheless the
task was carried out entirely by the local labourers |
. Thanks to each one who contributed
in its construction. To avoid construction joints, petals were concreted
in a continuous operation for approximately 48 hours. Concrete was carried
up the staging by 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 stains on the white concrete in the prevailing
humid conditions, guaranteeing the life of the delicate shell structure
of 6 to 18 cm thick shells of the petals. India is well endowed with human
resources. The architect believes that this design could not have been
executed anywhere else because it is rare to find the combination of traditional
craftsmanship, pride in one's work, empathy for spiritual undertaking,
perseverance under all odds and ample patience, as can be found in the
Indian sub-continent. As commented by progressive Architecture of USA in
their article on the Bahai Temple "It goes to prove that high-tech concepts
do not always demand high-tech solutions." The Indian visitors, from the
most sophisticated to the most simple, expressed perplexity at the absence
of any idols. It has been a hard task since explaining to them that the
all-pervasive Almighty cannot be put in any limited form. Hence, over the
years the visitors from India have begun to understand that the purpose
of the Bahai House of Worship is to unite the hearts of the people and
bring them closer to their Creator.
Timings
Summer : 9:00 a.m. - 7:00
p.m., Winter 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday closed.
|
|
