Expressionist in style and spectacular in its architectural and structural and ingenuity, the House of Worship takes its inspiration from the exquisite lotus flower - a symbol of beauty, purity and divinity intimately associated with worship and a common strand running through the symbolism of many religions in India as well as their international sects and manifestations.
The nine-sided , House of Worship Composed from 45 petals of white exposed concrete “Shell Structure” soaring to a height of more than 34 meters and adorned with shimmering white marble external cladding, sits majestically on 27 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, located in southern New Delhi. Designed by Iranian-Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba, the House of Worship (popularly called the Lotus Temple), consists of five sets of leaves or petals (3 external and 2 internal sets) each set consisting of 9 thin cast-in-place-jointless concrete shells. The outermost set of nine petals, called the entrance leaves, opens outwards and forms the nine entrances all around the outer hall. The next set of nine petals, or outer leaves, points inwards. The entrance and outer leaves together cover the outer hall. The third set of nine petals, called the inner leaves, appears to be partly closed. Only the tips open out, somewhat like a partly opened bud. This portion, which rises above the rest, forms the main structure housing the 2 sets of nine petals each thin shell structures called interior dome which houses central prayer hall, which seats 1,300.
Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List
I visited this awesome Baha'i House of Worship during my trip to New Delhi in November, 2106. Bought this postcard in New Delhi.
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