Lotus Temple in Delhi - Bahai Temple Delhi Spiritual Tourism of India
 |
not merely mean giving a lotus shape to the edifice but it has a message to thepeople of India in the form of a manifestation from the almighty. Lotus is a symbol of peace, purity, love and immortality. It is this particular specialty of Lotus flower which makes the flower an important icon in Indian culture and society. This is why the design of Lotus temple has been inspired by lotus flower.
The design looks like a half opened Lotus flower with 27 freestanding "petals" made of marble. The architect, while designing the temple took into account the eternal beauty of Lotus flower. The construction work took almost 10 years before it finally got shape and was open for public. The team comprised of 800 engineers, technicians, workers and artisans who worked diligently to give realization to one of the most complex edifices in the world. The temple integrates the aesthetic values along with the technological influence within the whole structure. There are nine reflecting pools that encompass the temple from outside. Converting the geometry of the design that did not have any straight line to the actual structure needed a lot of effort and dedicated engineering.
The design looks like a half opened Lotus flower with 27 freestanding "petals" made of marble. The architect, while designing the temple took into account the eternal beauty of Lotus flower. The construction work took almost 10 years before it finally got shape and was open for public. The team comprised of 800 engineers, technicians, workers and artisans who worked diligently to give realization to one of the most complex edifices in the world. The temple integrates the aesthetic values along with the technological influence within the whole structure. There are nine reflecting pools that encompass the temple from outside. Converting the geometry of the design that did not have any straight line to the actual structure needed a lot of effort and dedicated engineering.
The temple has the capacity to accommodate nearly 2500 people and has nine doors that open in a central hall. The whole structure is made of white marble that adds to the glory of the temple. It is about 40 meters tall surrounded by nine ponds and appears as if the temple is floating like a Lotus flower in water.The most appraising aspect of this particular architectural masterpiece is the integration of the effervescent Indian history along with the modern engineering and architecture. The temple has to its accreditation being recognized all over the world as one of the most visited edifices in the world with almost 50 million people having visited the temple since its inception in 1986.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DESIGNThe lotus represents the Manifestation of God, and is also a symbol of purity and tenderness. Its significance is deeply rooted in the minds and hearts of the Indians. In the epic poem Mahabharata, the Creator Brahma is described as having sprung from the lotus that grew out of Lord Vishnu's navel when that deity lay absorbed in meditation, There is a deep and universal reverence for the lotus, which is regarded as a sacred flower associated with worship throughout many centuries. In Buddhist folklore the Boddhisatva Avalokiteswara is represented as born from a lotus, and is usually depicted as standing or sitting on a lotus pedestal and holding a lotus bloom in his hand. Buddhists glorify him in their prayers, "Om Mani Padme Hum", "Yea, 0 Jewel in the Lotus!" Lord Buddha says you have to be like a lotus which, although living in dirty water, still remains beautiful and undefiled by its surroundings. So, we realise that the lotus is associated with worship, and has been a part of the life and thoughts of Indians through the ages. It will seem to them as though they have been worshipping in this Temple in their dreams for years. Now their vision has become a reality and. God willing, some day they will all enter and worship in it. History of the Bahá'í Faith in India: The history of the Bahá'í Faith in India started with the inception of the Faith in Iran when the Báb (literally, the Gate) inaugurated a new era in the history of the human race. The Báb Himself had appointed one of the Indian believers as the 'Letter of Living' in 1844-45, the first year of His Ministry. Since then, India is spiritually connected with the Bahá’i Faith.
As foretold by the Báb, the Promised One of all ages and peoples, Bahá’u’lláh (literally the Glory of God) revealed Himself in 1863. He, Himself, dispatched one of the distinguished Bahá'í teachers, Jamal Effendi, to teach the Cause of God in the years 1874-75. Jamal Effendi (left) traveled to many States and was successful in attracting many learned people and few Navaabs (ruler of the states) including the Navaab of Rampur State (now in U.P.) to the Faith. One young man who accepted was Syed Mustafa Roumi who later became distinguished in his manifold services and was appointed as a Hand of the Cause of God. Some of them accepted Bahá’u’lláh as the Universal Manifestation of God whose advent has been prophesied in all the Holy Scriptures. The other teachers who came to India during Bahá’u’lláh's Ministry included Mishkin Qalam, the distinguished Bahá'í Calligrapher. A series of teachers from the East and the West continued visiting India and traveling throughout the country during the time of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (literally, the Servant of Bahá), the much-loved Master of the Bahá'í Faith. Prominent among them were Mirza Mahram and Mirza Mahmud Zarqani.
Location
The Lotus temple is renowned for its architectural structure. The temple is situated near Nehru location in New Delhi. The Bahai temple will be the seventh Bahai Home of worship inside the world. It can be also the newest temple. The structure of the temple consists of twenty seven marble petals that are arranged in 3 clusters to form nine sided circular shape. Nicely manicured lawns add to the beauty of the Bahai temple. Any private or public transportation can bring you there. Its distinct flower shape makes it impossible to miss.It stands high amongst the other buildings.
There are actually attractive gardens and pools around the key constructing. The Lotus Temple produced of marble, cement, dolomite and sand gives every single and just about every individual the message of equality. Persons from all over the world check out Bahai temple for the reason that it can be meant for public worship.
What to See
The shape of the temple is circular with nine sides. The layout is comprised of 27 marble “petals”. These are clustered so they make up the nine sides. Their scripture doesn’t particularly say a dome is crucial, while all have . As per the Bahai scriptures, images, statues and photos are forbidden inside the temple. In location of altars and pulpits are lecture stands.
The Bahai Temple in Delhi has nine doors. They open to the hall inside the center. It has space to hold over two thousand people. The hall is over 40 m high. The surface is composed of white marble. The marbles had been obtained from Penteli mountain in Greece. Together with the gardens and ponds, they occupy 105,000 m2 (10.five ha / 26 acres).
History
Considering that it was built, the temple was declared open to all regardless of their religious belief. This is emphasized in their religious texts. Based on their belief, the temple (or Home of Worship) is actually a location where all persons can worship the Creator without having the limitations imposed by religious denominations.
Scriptures from distinctive religions is often read inside the temple. Chanting in any language is allowed.
Prayers and readings is often accomplished with choirs. Having said that, musical instruments can not be utilised. Considering that its inception, rituals and ceremonies have not been permitted. Sermons are also not allowed.
Fahariborz Sahaba, an Iranian architect developed the Lotus temple. The temple was inaugurated in December inside the year 1986, and till date it has attracted extra than 50 million persons. The temple has also won quite a few awards like UK- based award of Institution of Structural Engineers. It has also received Excellence in religious Art and architecture award which is actually a U.S. based award. The Bahai temple is among the most visited locations inside the world. It attracts thousands of tourists to Delhi. Considering that then, over fifty million persons have visited it. Extra persons visit the temple than the Taj Mahal or the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It has been estimated that 4 million visit it yearly.
Travel Guide
Visitors, from essentially the most urbane to the simplest rural folk, expressed perplexity at the absence of any deity. Explaining the all-pervasive nature of the Creator which defies deification became a challenge. Lots of times guides helping to maintain decorum inside the Prayer Hall had been startled by the astonished exclamations of visitors questioning aloud where the object of adoration was. Some of them, in their simplicity, paid obeisance to the lectern, surreptitiously placing a flower or two – an amusing and also a touching sight. Awed by the beauty and grandeur of the edifice, they struggled to grasp the spiritual significance of this material structure.
As understanding dawned, a typical response became: “Few temples radiate the atmosphere of sublimity, peace, and calm so crucial to elevate a devotee spiritually as the Bahai Home of Worship”. Other repeated comments included: “Where there is certainly silence, the spirit is eloquent” and “One feels one is at last entering into the estate of the soul, the state of stillness and peace”. The visitors had been aided in their efforts by the serenity of the Prayer Hall plus the assistance of volunteer guides and staff who explained the raison-d’etre of the Temple. The innate sense of reverence of the Indian for the Omnipresence normally manifested itself inside the act of reverently touching the actions leading into the Prayer Hall.
Visitors from the West normally came to critically appraise a structure which had gained fame as a marvel of 20th-century architecture. For them it was in some cases a grudging, in some cases a spontaneous realisation that the phenomenon referred to as faith transcends logic and that the universal ethic of really like envelops all. They, too, had been humbled at this altar of faith and really like.
The best time visit BAHAI temple is: Summer: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m, Winter: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m, On just about every Monday this temple remains closed.
Tags: Bahai Temple,Delhi Bahai Temple,Lotus Temple Delhi, Lotus Temple - Lotus Temple Delhi - Bahai Lotus Temple New Delhi, Lotus Temple in Delhi - The world's most famous Cultural Architecture, Lotus Temple in Delhi - Bahai Temple Delhi Spiritual Tourism of India
No comments:
Post a Comment