Lotus
Temple, the central theme of Bahá'u'lláh's message
is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come
for its unification in one global society. God, Bahá'u'lláh
said, has set in motion historical forces that are breaking
down traditional barriers of race, class, creed, and nation
and that will, in time, give birth to a universal civilization.
The principal challenge facing the peoples of the earth is
to accept the fact of their oneness and to assist the processes
of unification. Located in Kalkaji in the south of Delhi,
it is lotus shaped and has rightly been given the name. It
is made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand. It is open to
all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining
peace and tranquility. It is a very recent architectural marvel
of the Bahai faith. The Bahá'í Faith is the
youngest of the world's independent religions. Its founder,
Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892), is regarded by Bahá'ís
as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God that stretches
back beyond recorded time and that includes Abraham, Moses,
Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad.
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. Fariborz
Sahba, Canadian architect of Iranian origin, spent 10 years
in designing and project management, and with the help of
a team of about 800 engineers, technicians, artisans and workers
brought to realization one of the most complicated constructions
in the world. 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.
The lotus represents the Manifestation of God, and is also
a symbol of purity and tenderness. Its significance is deeply
rooted in the minds and hearts of the Indians. In the epic
poem Mahabharata, the Creator Brahma is described as having
sprung from the lotus that grew out of Lord Vishnu's navel
when that deity lay absorbed in meditation, There is a deep
and universal reverence for the lotus, which is regarded as
a sacred flower associated with worship throughout many centuries.
In Buddhist folklore the Boddhisatva Avalokiteswara is represented
as born from a lotus, and is usually depicted as standing
or sitting on a lotus pedestal and holding a lotus bloom in
his hand. Buddhists glorify him in their prayers, "Om
Mani Padme Hum", "Yea, 0 Jewel in the Lotus!"
Lord Buddha says you have to be like a lotus which, although
living in dirty water, still remains beautiful and undefiled
by its surroundings. So, we realise that the lotus is associated
with worship, and has been a part of the life and thoughts
of Indians through the ages. It will seem to them as though
they have been worshipping in this Temple in their dreams
for years. Now their vision has become a reality and. God
willing, some day they will all enter and worship in it. History
of the Bahá'í Faith in India: The history of
the Bahá'í Faith in India started with the inception
of the Faith in Iran when the Báb (literally, the Gate)
inaugurated a new era in the history of the human race. The
Báb Himself had appointed one of the Indian believers
as the 'Letter of Living' in 1844-45, the first year of His
Ministry. Since then, India is spiritually connected with
the Bahá段 Faith.
As foretold by the Báb, the Promised One of all ages
and peoples, Bahá置値láh (literally the Glory
of God) revealed Himself in 1863. He, Himself, dispatched
one of the distinguished Bahá'í teachers, Jamal
Effendi, to teach the Cause of God in the years 1874-75. Jamal
Effendi (left) traveled to many States and was successful
in attracting many learned people and few Navaabs (ruler of
the states) including the Navaab of Rampur State (now in U.P.)
to the Faith. One young man who accepted was Syed Mustafa
Roumi who later became distinguished in his manifold services
and was appointed as a Hand of the Cause of God. Some of them
accepted Bahá置値láh as the Universal Manifestation
of God whose advent has been prophesied in all the Holy Scriptures.
The other teachers who came to India during Bahá置値láh's
Ministry included Mishkin Qalam, the distinguished Bahá'í
Calligrapher. A series of teachers from the East and the West
continued visiting India and traveling throughout the country
during the time of 羨bdu値-Bahá (literally, the Servant
of Bahá), the much-loved Master of the Bahá'í
Faith. Prominent among them were Mirza Mahram and Mirza Mahmud
Zarqani.
