The Lotus Temple

Here's a shot to prove we made it out of India Gate in one piece. This is the Baha'i Lotus Temple in Delhi.

The Baha'i faith is a very interesting one. They want to remove prejudices based on race, caste and language. They believe in the equality of men and women and in universal education, for women as well as men. They think true religion conforms to reason, with a harmony between religion and science. They don't believe in superstition, outdated ceremonies and sermons. And they want to abolish the extremes of wealth and poverty. All in all, not a lot to object to.

The Lotus Temple was completed in 1986. Like all Baha'i Houses of Worship, it has a nine sided, circular shape. Outside there are 27 marble clad petals, inside the building is devoid of religious icons, and has no altar or pulpit. It is a white, peaceful, calm oasis inside a bustling noisy city, even though it is one of the most visited buildings in the world, with 13,000 people walking through its doors every day. But not on Sundays...as we found out the first time we tried to visit.

They have an education centre on site, which Stumpy, Nutty and Rod found very interesting. I stayed outside with Holly, as children under 12 were not allowed inside. I'm not sure how that sits with their universal education stance, really. But Stumpy contributed to the cause, coming home with a plastic replica of the Lotus Temple, to give to one of his work colleagues who is a Baha'i. It plugs in and everything, with pretty blue lights. All for four quid!