Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple is the Bahá'í House of Worship in south Delhi, a white building of 27 marble-clad petals arranged in clusters of three to form a half-open lotus. It was designed by the architect Fariborz Sahba, dedicated in December 1986, and is one of the most visited buildings in India.

The Lotus Temple follows the Bahá'í principle that a house of worship should be open to people of every religion and none. There are no idols, sermons or rituals inside, only a tall, calm hall where visitors sit in silence, and short readings from different scriptures at set times. The lotus was chosen because it is a symbol shared by many Indian faiths. Nine pools surround the building, so the Lotus Temple seems to float above the water, and the marble came from Greece.

What to see

• The three rings of marble petals, best seen from the garden path
• The nine reflecting pools around the base
• The silent central prayer hall under the petals
• The gardens and lawns of the 26-acre site
• The information centre on the Bahá'í faith

What to wear

The Lotus Temple asks for respectful, modest dress, with shoulders and knees covered. Shoes are left at the free counter before the hall, so wear shoes that slip off easily and socks for hot marble. Silence is observed inside. Summer afternoons are very hot, so bring a hat and water; winter mornings are cool. In Delhi you will see women in salwar kameez and sarees and men in kurta pyjama, especially at festivals and weddings.

Local food to try

South Delhi's markets are close by. Nehru Place and the Kalkaji markets have stalls for chole kulche, momos and chaat, and Greater Kailash has restaurants serving Punjabi, Mughlai and South Indian food. Butter chicken, dal makhani and chole bhature are Delhi staples. Vegetarian food is easy to find, and halal meat is widely served.

Good to know

• Best from October to March; weekday mornings are quietest
• Tuesday to Sunday; closed Mondays and on some Bahá'í holy days
• Free entry
• Allow one hour, plus time in the queue
• Kalkaji Mandir metro station is about 500 m away; about 12 km south of Connaught Place
• Photography is allowed outside but not in the prayer hall

Nearby places

Humayun's Tomb is about 5 km north, and the Qutub Minar is about 9 km west. Akshardham Temple, also closed on Mondays, is about 8 km north-east.