The Lotus Temple is a famous architectural masterpiece and a symbol of the Baha'i faith, located in Delhi, India. The Temple, also known as Mashriq al-adhkr (Arabic: "The place where God's name is recited at dawn"). It was one of the nine mosques in the world at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Designed by Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba, the temple was completed in 1986 and has since become one of the most famous landmarks on earth. (Sahba, F. 2011) This design study aims to explore the architectural elements, cultural value and sustainable design components of the Lotus Temple.
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| Lotus - flower |
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| Lotus Temple, Deli, India by architect Fariborz Sahba |
The lotus flower, which has important cultural and religious significance in India, served as the architectural inspiration for the Lotus Temple. The building consists of 27 free-standing marble-clad "petals" that are divided into three to form a lotus shape with nine sides. The temple has a clean and regal appearance due to the use of white marble in its construction. It has a central hall with a height of 34.27 meters and a capacity of 2500 people. Sacred geometry is used to design the layout and proportions of the temple, resulting in a calming and energizing atmosphere.
The Lotus Temple is a place of worship and a symbol of unity of great cultural importance. It strongly emphasizes Baha'i ideals of inclusiveness and global harmony and is open to people of all faiths. The design combines many religious traditions while maintaining its originality. Since there are no religious images in the central hall, people are free to think and pray according to their personal views. The Lotus Temple was designed to represent the plurality of religions in India and the country's commitment to religious tolerance.
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| Lotus Temple interior |
Apart from being aesthetically beautiful, the Lotus Temple has a number of eco-friendly design aspects. The white marble cladding of the exterior helps to keep the interior slightly cooler by reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the sun. Due to the design of the temple, less artificial lighting is required during the day, as natural light enters through the spaces between the petals. The facility includes rainwater harvesting facilities to encourage water conservation. Native plants that require little watering and add to the overall appeal are used in the eco-friendly gardens that surround the area.
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| Top view |
Reference
Bahá’í House of Worship (last updated 2023) Lotus Temple. Available at: https://bahaihouseofworship.in/ (Accessed: May 2023)
Britannica (2020) Lotus Temple. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lotus-Temple/additional-info#history (Accessed: May 2023)
Sahba, F. (2011) "Extracts from Interviews with the Architect." In K. Britton, ed., Constructing the Ineffable: Contemporary Sacred Architecture. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Sharma, V. (2011). Sustainable Buildings - Green Design Initiatives. India: TERI Information Digest on Energy and Environment
Image reference
Chorier N. (2014) Lotus Temple, New Delhi. Available at: https://nicopix.zenfolio.com/limitedprints/h76ab27f#h76ab27f (Accessed: May 2023)
Bloom (n.d) Incredible facts you didn't know about Lotus Temple. Available at: https://staybloom.com/chapters/about-lotus-temple (Accessed: May 2023)
Giri A. (2021) Flower images India. Available at: https://unsplash.com/photos/B1cJcYPoFxY (Accessed: May 2023)
Roy A. (n.d) AD Classics: Lotus Temple / Fariborz Sahba. Available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/manunited/ (Accessed: May 2023)
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