Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple known as the Taj of modern India is a distinctive lotus-shaped marvel in marble surrounded by a landscaped garden. This architectural marvel of the Bahai faith is essentially a symbol of peace. In the Bahai's Holy Writings great importance is given to prayers as is revealed in all the scriptures. According to Bahai faith the mere act of praying is not sufficient.

Lotus Temple History
The temple was completed in 1986. On its completion, Construction News, a technical journal from the United Kingdom was the first to give the Lotus Temple the appellation of Taj Mahal of the 20th Century. The comparison brings to mind the words of the famous Indian poet and philosopher, Rabindranath Tagore, who described the Taj as "a teardrop on the cheek of eternity". Considering that the Bahai House of Worship is an affirmation and a celebration of man's love God the Lotus Temple could be described as "a dewdrop on the brow of eternity". Similarly Indian Express referred to the fact that while the Taj is an expression of deep personal love the Lotus Temple symbolises love between Man and God. In World Architecture 1900-2000: A Critical Mosaic, Volume 8, South Asia, the Lotus Temple appears as one of the 100 canonical works of this century. The book is part of a series of 10 books organised by the Architectural Society of China and endorsed by the International Union of Architects, in co-ordination with the XX World Architects Congress convened in June 1999 in Beijing, China. The book describes the temple as a powerful icon of great beauty that goes beyond its pure function of serving as a congregation space to become an important architectural symbol of the city.