Lotus Temple
Location: New Delhi, India
Architect: Fariborz Sahba
Completed: 1986

Shaped like a giant lotus flower, this modern architectural wonder was designed by Iranian-Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba. It is a Bahá'í House of Worship, meaning worshipers of all denominations are welcomed.

Photo: Carsten Lindstedt

According to the architect, the Lotus flower represented by the form of the building represents that idea that 'out of the murky waters of our collective history of ignorance and violence, mankind will arise to inhabit a new age of peace and universal brotherhood'.

In accordance with the architectural principles stated by Abdu'l-Bahá, the son of the founder of the religion, the building is a nine-sided circular shape made up of 27 free-standing marble clad 'petals' arranged in clusters of three.