Lotus temple Delhi
Lotus temple – The Lotus temple is worship place of the Baha’i community. It is a
fantastic temple in New Delhi. As it is built in the shape of lotus flower so popularly known as Lotus Temple it is the 7th largest house of devotion in the Baha’i world. and also a famous attraction in Delhi
Since its inauguration to public for devotion and visits in December 1986, the Bahá’í House of Worship in New Delhi, India is visited by more than 70 million visitors, making it one of the most visited edifices in the world. On an average, 8,000 to 10,000 people visits the Bahá’í House of Worship every day. These visitors have admired its universal design in the form of a lotus and have been mesmerized by the Teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, especially its tenets of the Oneness of God, the Oneness of Religions, and the Oneness of Mankind.
The Bahá’í Faith is to unite all races and peoples in one universal Cause and one common Faith. Bahá’ are the followers of Bahá’u’lláh, Who they believe is the Promised One of all Ages. The traditions of almost every people is to promise for the future with Peace and harmony will be established on the earth and human will live with prosparity.
THE GRAND STRUCTURE
Fariborz Sahba, Canadian architect of Iranian origin ,worked about 10 years to design and project management, and with the help of team of about 800 engineers, technicians, artisans and workers brought to complete one of the most complicated constructions in the world.
The structure of the House is composed of three ranks of nine petals; each springing from a podium elevating the building above the surrounding plain. The first two ranks curve inward, embracing the inner dome; the third layer curves outward to form canopies over the nine entrances. The petals, constructed of reinforced white concrete cast in place, are clad in white marble panels, performed to surface profiles and patterns related to the geometry. Nine arches that provide the main support for the superstructure ring the central hall. Nine reflecting pools surround the building on the outside, their form suggesting the green leaves of the lotus flower. Translating the geometry of the design, in which there are virtually no straight lines, into the actual structure presented particular challenges in designing and erecting the framework. Not only was it difficult to align, so as to produce accurately the complex double-curved surfaces and their intersections, but also the closeness of the petals severely restricted workspace. Nevertheless the task was carried out entirely by the local laborers. Thanks to each one who contributed in its construction. To avoid construction joints, petals were concreted in a continuous operation for approximately 48 hours. Concrete was carried up the staging by women bearing 50-pound loads in baskets balanced on their heads. All the steel reinforcing for the shells of the lotus petals was galvanized to avoid rust stains on the white concrete in the prevailing humid conditions, guaranteeing the life of the delicate shell structure of 6 to 18 cm thick shells of the petals. India is well endowed with human resources.