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Lotus Temple in Delhi: A Remarkable Architecture
Lotus Temple is one of the remarkable architectures of Bahai faith.
It is located at Kalkaji in New Delhi. The temple looks like a lotus
flower and is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. The temple
has no restrictions for visitors and is open to people from all religions.
The place provides immaculate environment for meditation, peace and
wisdom. The Bahai temple was completed in 1986. Since then the temple
has received recognition from all over the world for its splendid
architecture and design. Lotus Temple is among the most visited monuments
in India. The credit for building this beautiful structure
goes to the Persian architect Fariborz Sahba from Canada.
Personifying
Lotus in the temple does not merely mean giving a lotus shape to the
edifice but it has a message to the people
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 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.
Awards Received:
- Award given to the architect Mr. Sabha in the year 1987 from
International Federation for Art and Architecture, USA.
- Award for the structural design by the Institute of Structural
Engineers in UK
- The Citation Award for personifying the visual impact of the
beautiful Lotus flower.
- Accreditation for its outdoor illumination in the year 1988
- American Concrete Institute Award for being one of the most
artistically built concrete structures.
- In the year 2000 it received the "Glob Art Academy Award" from
Glob Art Academy in Vienna.
So, whenever you visit Delhi, do not forget to see this particular
masterpiece which offers a strong message of wisdom, peace and tranquility.
Visit Official Website: http://www.bahaindia.org
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