The Hindu : New Delhi News : Celebrations to mark 25th anniversary of Lotus Temple

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Thursday, Mar 17, 2011
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Celebrations to mark 25th anniversary of Lotus Temple

Staff Reporter

Dedicated to humankind: The Lotus Temple at Kalkaji in New Delhi.

NEW DELHI: To mark the 25 {+t} {+h} anniversary of the Capital's Baha'i House of Worship, popularly known as the Lotus Temple, the Baha'i community in India has planned that former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam will inaugurate the celebrations at Baha'i House of Worship on the eve of Baha'i New Year (March 20).

For Dr. Kalam it is a “spiritual experience” to be in the Baha'i House of Worship. “It is a place of unity of minds and giving glad tidings to humanity,” he commented.

Describing the Baha'i House of Worship as a monument dedicated to the unity of God, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit says the temple symbolises the unity of all religions and the unity of humankind. “It is regarded in high esteem by a large number of people. It has also become a place to pay obeisance apart from being a holy place to be visited by most people.”

In its 25 {+t} {+h} year, the Baha'i community wants the edifice to continue to inspire, encourage and support every Indian's dream of living in a peaceful, just and spiritual society. It believes the purpose of a place of worship is simply that of unity; to enable people from various countries and divergent races to gather there with a sense of amity, love and accord.

Widely regarded as an architectural marvel, the Baha'i House of Worship was completed and dedicated to the public way back in 1986. It is called Lotus Temple due to the flower-like shape of the monument. The lotus stands as a symbol of transformation, rising out of mud, dirt and water, a pure flower opening heavenwards.

On an average, four million people from all faiths, nations and walks of life visit the edifice every year. While some marvel at its pristine physical surroundings, others immerse themselves in its deeply spiritual environment.

What unites them is the fact that all of them see the Baha'i House of Worship as a beacon of unity and communal harmony.

In fact, multi-faith prayer services are held several times a day.

According to Baha'i, religion is changeless – eternal in the past, eternal in the future. The Baha'i community has no clergy and conducts its affairs through a distinctive system of elected councils.

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