Any trip to Delhi requires a stop at the spectacular Lotus Temple. Built in 1986 of pure white marble from the Penteli mountain in Greece, the Lotus Temple is a Bahá’í House of Worship where people of any religions can come to pray. What makes this temple so incredibly unique and awe-inspiring is its shape and form.
Inspired by India’s sacred lotus flower, the temple is composed of 27 free-standing marble “petals” arranged in groups of three to form nine sides forming a lotus flower. It is fitting that the temple is designed to look like India’s treasured lotus flower as the lotus symbolizes many important things in Indian culture: Long life, honor, and good forturne. Images of lotus flowers can be seen throughout India as engravings on temples, buildings and in art.
To access the Lotus Temple, you must walk down a long excruciatingly hot path in barefeet as is custom. Unfortunately, the day of my visit was late May and it was 120 degrees Farenheight in Delhi. You can imagine how painfully hot the pathway was against my bare feet. But it was worth the discomfort as the temple is spectacular.
The nine doors of the Lotus Temple open onto a central hall slightly more than 40 meters tall that is capable of holding up to 2,500 people. Source: Wikipedia
Once I reached the temple I was relieved to find a small piece of shade to cool down my feet. While I was waiting, I noticed that variety of unique feet surrounding me.
Here are my feet protected by the shade of my shadow.
I adored her feet in henna. So unique and lovely.
Once inside the Lotus Temple, no photographs or talking was allowed. I sat for a moment inside this beautiful structure surrounded by people from all over the world. It was one of those travel moments where I had to pinch myself to realize I was really there.
These woman saw me, a blond foreigner, and insisted I take a picture of them and their traditional dress. They had come from far away in India in order to see the temple.
This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Unique. To see more entries click here.
I’m back on WordPress! I’ve spent almost two months without logging on or posting or reading any other posts. I’ve been so busy, but I sure have missed it! How beautiful must’ve this whole trip been? Wow! I definitely wanna visit India one day.
I’ve been busy preparing a bunch of awesome posts on my own blog, so keep an eye out for them!
Daniel
http://www.myworldatyourfingertips.com
Sure you must visit, its beautiful, http://kiwicolors.wordpress.com/
Great! Welcome back and thanks for your comment. I’ll be on the look out!
Beautiful!
Thanks!
I’m so bummed we didn’t visit this amazing temple when we were in India. Something to see for sure next visit. Thank you for sharing.
Yes it is beautiful but there is always next time! 🙂
Wow, that is absolutely spectacular! Definitely one for my bucket list 🙂 Do you know what the significance of walking the path in bare feet is? Is it meant to symbolise a historical path or voyage?
I believe it is to show respect. No shows are allowed inside the temple either!
Beautiful post and Temple and I love the henna toes!
I also liked the same
Something to sensual about henna !
Thanks! Me too!
Absolutely stuffing photos, as always.
Ahh! Stunning ^
🙂
Lovely photos!! 🙂 http://holley4734.wordpress.com/
Thanks! 🙂
What a beautiful temple. The women in the last photo were not use to seeing a person with blond hair and white feet with red toes.
You are indeed correct! 🙂
I was there! But unfortunately the temple was closed the day I was in Delhi so could only see from a distance. Still impressive.
Too bad but the outside is really what makes it so beautiful! 🙂
Great post, Nicole! I loved the feet, they deserve a series of their own…
Thanks Anita! 🙂 I actually did one on another blog called Toemailer.
It looks a bit like the Sydney opera house. I wonder when it was built.
Very true! I love the Sydney Opera House and actually saw a ballet inside when I was there several years ago.
Lovely post! I first went to the Lotus Temple in 1990. It remains one of the most exceptional experiences – those moments of quiet contemplation stay. Its a special place.
Thanks! 🙂 Yes, it is a beautiful peaceful place.
Great article and pictures! I was there in June and experienced the same blistering heat. Did you have a chance to stay for the ceremony? My husband and I were standing in a line outside, but nobody was moving to go in. And after 3 weeks in India, the heat exhaustion was a bit too much to take, so like losers we ran back to our air-conditioned taxi instead. 🙂
Oh so you know very well how hot it was to walk barefooted! I did not get to see a ceremony as we were doing a quick day tour but my favorite thing I did that day was a rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of Old Delhi! 🙂
What an absolutely amazing place – thank you for sharing your fantastic pictures.
You’re welcome and glad you enjoyed! 🙂
Reblogged this on Indian Heritage Club and commented:
CULTURE, Delhi, India, Lotus Temple, Photography, postaday, thirdeyemom, Travel
nice clicks
Thanks!
In my youth I spent considerable time in Bahá’í, it was important experience in forming what is now me, many many years later. I have been to the temple in Uganda but hadn’t heard of this one. The pictures are stunning so the place must be a thief of breaths. Thank you.
Thank you! 🙂
Wonderful photos!
Thank you! 🙂
That sounds like a hot walk, but so worth it! I love your perspective, Nicole.
Thanks Jennifer! Hope you are well. 🙂
So lovely, Nicole, and the henna decorated feet are fascinating.
Thanks! I love those too. India really is a fascinating place. I have only been to Delhi twice for a short time but someday I need to explore more of its craziness!
Very unusual. How fortunate to be able to see this.
janet
Thanks Janet! I saw it as a symbol of luck. 🙂
Nice blog thanks for sharing such valuable information with us. As we know whole India is known as land of temples but there are many temples in North region of India. We can find each one by just click on North India Temple’s link.
Thank you.
A beautiful post Nicole. 🙂
Thank you LuAnn!