Claim to Fame
The Lotus Temple—completed in 1986—is a Baháʼí House of Worship renowned for its 27 white-marble “petals,” award-winning architecture, and open-to-all principle welcoming visitors of any faith.
📌 Navigating Lotus Temple : Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- Admission Fee: Admission to the Lotus Temple is free of charge.
- How Long to Visit: Most visitors spend about 1 to 2 hours exploring the temple and its gardens.
- Washrooms: Washrooms are available on-site for visitor convenience.
- Hours of Operation: The temple is open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with extended hours during the summer months.
- Important Information: Visitors are encouraged to dress modestly and maintain silence within the prayer hall.
- Washrooms: Washrooms are available on-site for visitor convenience.
- Hours of Operation: The temple is open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with extended hours during the summer months.
- Important Information: Visitors are encouraged to dress modestly and maintain silence within the prayer hall.
- Admission Fee: Admission to the Lotus Temple is free of charge.
- How Long to Visit: Most visitors spend about 1 to 2 hours exploring the temple and its gardens.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed on the premises to maintain the tranquility of the temple grounds.
- Guided Tours: Guided tours are available and can enhance the visitor experience with detailed insights into the temple's architecture and philosophy.
- Restaurant or Cafe: There is no restaurant or cafe on the property, but various dining options are located nearby.
- Gift Shop: A small gift shop is available, offering souvenirs and books related to the Bahá'í faith and the Lotus Temple.
- Parking: Parking is available nearby, but it can be limited during peak visiting hours.
- Family Friendly: The site is family friendly, offering a peaceful environment suitable for visitors of all ages.
- Photography: Photography is permitted in the temple's gardens, but not inside the prayer hall to maintain a serene atmosphere.
- WIFI: Free Wi-Fi is not available on-site, so visitors are advised to use their mobile data if needed.
- Picnic Area: There is no designated picnic area, as the temple promotes a quiet and reflective atmosphere.
- Handicap Accessible: The Lotus Temple is fully handicap accessible, with ramps and facilities for visitors with disabilities.
- Family Friendly: The site is family friendly, offering a peaceful environment suitable for visitors of all ages.
- Photography: Photography is permitted in the temple's gardens, but not inside the prayer hall to maintain a serene atmosphere.
- WIFI: Free Wi-Fi is not available on-site, so visitors are advised to use their mobile data if needed.
- Picnic Area: There is no designated picnic area, as the temple promotes a quiet and reflective atmosphere.
- Handicap Accessible: The Lotus Temple is fully handicap accessible, with ramps and facilities for visitors with disabilities.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed on the premises to maintain the tranquility of the temple grounds.
- Guided Tours: Guided tours are available and can enhance the visitor experience with detailed insights into the temple's architecture and philosophy.
- Restaurant or Cafe: There is no restaurant or cafe on the property, but various dining options are located nearby.
- Gift Shop: A small gift shop is available, offering souvenirs and books related to the Bahá'í faith and the Lotus Temple.
- Parking: Parking is available nearby, but it can be limited during peak visiting hours.
Photos of Lotus Temple
Situated in South Delhi’s Baháʼí Gardens, the Lotus Temple draws seekers and tourists alike to its lotus-inspired form set amid reflecting pools and landscaped lawns. Inside, a central hall beneath soaring marble petals offers a tranquil space for silent prayer, meditation, and reading of sacred texts. Free of clergy or ritual, the temple fosters unity and reflection—hosting daily devotional gatherings where readings from world religions and contemplative music underscore the Baháʼí message of oneness.
What to Expect
Enter via the L-shaped driveway to the sprawling forecourt, then pass through the visitor center and gift shop before approaching the lotus-shaped structure. Remove shoes at the entrance and step into the windowless central hall, where soft natural light filters through petal seams. Find a seat or walk the perimeter in respectful silence as prayers—from the Baháʼí writings, the Bible, the Quran, and other faiths—are recited. Outside, stroll the eight manicured gardens and reflecting pools that symbolize purity and renewal, with benches offering views back to the white marble petals framed by Delhi’s skyline.
Background and Cultural Context
Designed by Iranian-Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba, the Lotus Temple embodies Baháʼí teachings of unity, equality, and the harmony of science and religion. Opened in December 1986, it stands as one of nine continental Houses of Worship worldwide. The lotus—a symbol of purity across Asian traditions—was chosen to reflect India’s spiritual heritage and the Baháʼí principle that all religions share a common foundation. The temple’s secular, contemplative format hosts no sermons or rituals, reinforcing its ethos of inclusive devotion.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings (9–11 AM) offer cooler air and a quieter hall before sightseeing crowds arrive. Late afternoons (4–6 PM) provide soft light on the marble petals and pleasant garden temperatures. Avoid Fridays midday when adjacent Fatehpuri Mosque calls to prayer draw local traffic. Winter months (November–February) deliver crisp skies and ideal conditions for strolling the grounds; monsoon season (July–September) can bring heavy rains but also lush greenery.
How to Get There
The Lotus Temple is at Bahapur, Kalkaji, New Delhi 110019. Metro: Violet Line to Kalkaji Mandir station, then a 10-minute walk via the southern garden entrance. Buses 507 and 511A serve the temple gate, and taxis or ride-hails drop visitors at the main forecourt. Ample parking is available for cars and bicycles. The path to the central hall and gardens is fully ramped and wheelchair-accessible; complimentary courtesy wheelchairs are available at the visitor center.
Photo Opportunities
- Front façade of the marble lotus petals reflected in the forecourt pool at sunrise
- Symmetrical view down the central aisle of the interior hall under the petal canopy
- Close-up of marble veining on a petal seam backlit by afternoon sun
- Gardens and reflecting pools framing the temple’s eight entrances in seasonal bloom
- Silhouetted visitor seated in quiet reflection against the white-marble backdrop
Travel Tips
- Maintain silence inside the hall—use your phone on silent or off; group conversations are encouraged in the outdoor gardens.
- Visit the gift shop for free pamphlets of prayers and meditative texts from world faiths.
- Dress modestly—shoulders and knees should be covered as a sign of respect in the worship hall.
- Plan 60–90 minutes to experience the hall, gardens, and visitor center at a relaxed pace.
- Combine your visit with nearby Kalkaji Mandir or the Qutub Minar for a full South Delhi cultural itinerary.
FAQs
Is admission required?
No—entry to the Lotus Temple and its gardens is free; donations support site maintenance and community programs.
Can non-Baháʼís attend?
Yes—people of every faith (or no faith) are welcome to pray, meditate, or simply enjoy the peaceful environment.
Are guided tours available?
Free scheduled orientation talks run hourly at the visitor center; private guided visits can be arranged in advance for large groups.
Is photography allowed?
Still photography without flash is permitted outdoors; interior photos are allowed but audiovisual equipment and tripods are not.
Final Thoughts
The Lotus Temple’s graceful petals and inclusive spirit offer a rare haven of calm amid Delhi’s bustle. Whether you seek a moment of silent reflection, architectural inspiration, or interfaith connection, this “House of Worship” invites all to experience unity, peace, and the beauty of shared humanity.