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Lotus Temple
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · India

Lotus Temple

culture
Getting around: In Kalkaji, south Delhi, directly served by the Kalkaji Mandir metro station (Violet and Magenta Lines).
Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, roughly 9am to 5:30pm (winter) or 6:30pm (summer); closed on Mondays.

The Lotus Temple is a Bahá'í House of Worship completed in 1986, instantly recognizable for its striking lotus-flower-shaped structure made of white marble-clad concrete petals. Like all Bahá'í temples, it's open to people of all faiths for silent individual prayer or meditation, with no religious ceremonies, sermons, or ritual performed inside, just quiet contemplation in a large central hall.

Visitors queue outside before entering in groups, and the strict silence inside is enforced, part of what gives the space its distinctive, meditative atmosphere. The surrounding gardens and reflecting pools are also worth a slow walk, and the building is particularly striking around sunset when the light catches the marble petals.

Lotus Temple FAQs

Which day is the Lotus Temple closed?

Mondays.

Is there an entry fee?

No, entry is free.

Do I need to be Bahá'í to enter?

No, it's open to people of all faiths or none, for silent individual prayer or meditation; there's no religious requirement to enter.

Is there a specific etiquette inside?

Yes, strict silence is enforced inside the main hall, and no photography is allowed once inside the prayer hall itself.

How long does a visit take?

1-1.5 hours, factoring in the queue to enter and time to walk the gardens.

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