Visiting the Beautiful Bahai Lotus Temple in Delhi 2025

The Bahai Lotus Temple in Delhi is one of the world’s most iconic spiritual buildings. It is built in the shape of an opening lotus flower, with 27 petals made of Greek marble. You don’t need to be Bahai to visit this beautiful temple, everyone is welcome.

Long shot of the Bahai Lotus Temple in Delhi with front walkway — The Bahai Lotus Temple is currently on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Over 10,000 people visit this temple daily! It’s one of the most visited religious buildings in the world and one of Delhi’s most well known sites. The Lotus Temple is even on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

No matter how many times I visit the Lotus Temple (and it’s been quite a few), I am always struck by how serene and simplicity beautiful it is. In a mad city like Delhi, it’s a spiritual oasis of calm and tranquility.

Visiting the Bahai Lotus Temple: Overview

Officially known as the Bahai House of Worship, the Lotus Temple in Delhi is one of only 14 Bahai temples throughout the world. It has won many awards for its unique architecture.

This is one of the most visited sites in Delhi, and the queue to get in can take an hour during peak times. I recommend going in the morning to avoid the worst of the line ups.

Hours & Cost: 8:30 am – 5:00, daily (closed Monday); free
Address: Lotus Temple Road, Bahapur, Kalkaji, Delhi
Nearest metro station: Kalkaji Mandir (Violet or Magenta line), exit Gate 1or 2
Website: https://bahaihouseofworship.in

Like all religious buildings in Delhi, modest dress is required. Knees, shoulders, backs and chests should be covered. You do not need to cover your head. Shoes have to be removed before going into the prayer hall (there were bags to put shoes in and carry the last time I was there, but there may be a separate shoe storage area now).

>> Prefer a guided tour? Book this highly rated tour which includes the Lotus Temple!

If you want to take photos inside the prayer hall you will have to get prior permission. Photography is strictly prohibited inside (hence my lack of interior photos).

Each day at 10 am, 2 pm, 3 pm and 5 pm there are prayer services for 15 minutes which consist of readings from different holy scriptures.

What To Expect

You need about 2 hours to visit the Bahai Lotus Temple, possibly more if you take longer in the prayer hall or exploring the gardens.

When you arrive at the main entrance of the Lotus Temple, you will go through security and then walk about 5-7 minutes toward the temple through the gardens. There’s not a lot of shade and no food or drinks are available, so make sure you have bottled water.

the author standing outside the Bahai Lotus Temple in Delhi with people behind her — You can see how busy the temple is – try to go in the morning (this was a weekday afternoon)

Before you reach the prayer hall (the temple), there is a visitor information centre and washrooms. Shoes must be removed before going into the prayer hall.

Volunteers are always on hand to keep the queue orderly and moving. Lineups are longest on the weekends. Once inside the prayer hall, there is no loud talking and no photography. There is plenty of seating and you can stay as long as you want.

the pale marble interior of the prayer hall at Bahai Lotus Temple with rows of benches for seating — The benches in the prayer hall are extra deep to allow for meditation (image credit Wikicommons)

Bahais believe in the oneness of God and the unity of all people. There are no deities or religious images inside the prayer hall. It is an open and serene space.

Lotus Temple History

Planning and construction began in the 1970s after a Bahai practitioner from Hyderabad donated his life savings for the building of a new temple. Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba created the design, which has won numerous awards. The temple opened to the public in December 1986.

Arial view from above of the Lotus Temple showing 9 blue pools of water and surrounding gardens — Nine petals, nine pools and nine gardens surrounding the Lotus Temple (image credit Ankit Prajapati)

The Bahai faith is a relatively new religion, starting in 1844. You can read more about the history of the Bahai faith in this article by the Bahai World News Service.

The number nine is sacred in the Bahai faith, and the Lotus Temple is nine-sided with three groups of nine petals. Surrounding the temple are nine pools of water and nine gardens.

The water pools help keep the temple cool in Delhi’s hot weather, and solar panels provide electricity. This was the first temple in Delhi to use solar power.

How to Get to the Bahai Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple is located in South East Delhi and easy to get to.

The best way to reach the temple is by Delhi metro. Delhi has an excellent metro system, and the Lotus Temple is close to two stations: the Kalkaji Mandir station on the Violet and Magenta lines, and the Okhla NSIC station on the Magenta line. You can walk or take an auto rickshaw from either station to the Lotus Temple entrance.

Uber is also an excellent way to reach the temple. Uber is widely used in Delhi and reliable. You will need data to use Uber, but you can pick up a SIM card at the airport when you arrive. Sims and data are cheap in Delhi. If you’re only a few kilometres away from the temple, just grab an auto rickshaw (agree on the price before you hop in). They are everywhere in Delhi.

What to do After Visiting the Lotus Temple in Delhi

The Lotus Temple is not as central as most of Delhi’s sites, but there are worthwhile things to do and see nearby:

ISKCON Temple: famous Hindu temple devoted to Lord Krishna, that is basically the opposite of the Lotus Temple. It is joyous, noisy and colourful, especially during an aarti. There’s a great vegetarian restaurant there, Govinda’s.
Kalkaji Mandir: one of the oldest and most important Hindu temples in Delhi. It’s believed its origins go back to the time of the Mahabharata, about 5,000 years ago.
Greater Kailash M Block Market: one of Delhi’s best and most popular upscale markets for shopping and restaurants.

Tray of food from Epicuria Food Mall, Delhi — Lunch in the food court at Epicuria Food Mall

Epicuria Food Mall: if you want to eat, head over here. It’s a small mall with nothing but restaurants and an excellent food court. It’s beside the Nehru Place metro station.

Where To Stay

These are my favourite hotels and guest houses in Delhi. All of these are exceptional properties, and very well located for exploring Delhi.

Imperial Hotel New Delhi (luxury)

This is Delhi’s best heritage hotel. It’s a beautiful 5 star luxury property with an excellent location within walking distance of many of Delhi’s sites. Award winning restaurants, one of the best spas in the city, and definitely the most beautiful swimming pool in Delhi, this hotel has everything for a memorable stay. I adore this hotel and have visited it several times.

🚩 Check prices and availability at the Imperial New Delhi

Lutyens Bungalow (mid-range)

This is another wonderful heritage property. It’s a small boutique property, located in one of Delhi’s greenest and most affluent areas next to Lodhi Garden. Rooms are simple, but elegant with terraces that open to the garden. There’s an outdoor pool and breakfast is included.

🚩 Check prices and availability at Lutyens Bungalow

Prakash Kutir B&B (budget)

This is South Delhi’s best family-run bed and breakfast. It’s located in an upscale residential neighbourhood, within walking distance of the metro, a market, and many shops and restaurants. Before I moved to Delhi I often made this my home base when I visited. A home cooked breakfast is included, and it’s squeaky clean.

🚩 Check prices and availability at Prakash Kutir B&B

FAQs

These are the most common questions about visiting the Bahai Lotus Temple in Delhi:

Can you visit the Bahai Temple?

Yes, anyone can visit the Bahai Lotus Temple. Bahai temples are open to all, no matter what their religious beliefs. Bahais believe in the oneness of God and the unity of all people.

What do you wear to the Bahai Temple?

Modest dress is appropriate at the Bahai Lotus Temple. Knees and shoulders should be covered. Shoes must be removed before entering the prayer hall. You do not need to cover your head.

Which metro station is near to the Lotus Temple?

The closest metro stations are the Kalkaji Mandir station on the Violet and Magenta lines, and the Okhla NSIC station on the Magenta line.

Ariel view from the side of the Lotus Temple and exteriour pools with parkland in background — Delhi’s Bahai Lotus Temple is one of the most unique and beautiful temples in the world (image credit Bahai House of Worship)

The Wrap-up on Visiting the Beautiful Bahai Lotus Temple in Delhi

Delhi is a deeply religious city and has many remarkable religious buildings, but the Lotus Temple is one of the most beautiful. It’s well worth your time to visit this unique religious building. It doesn’t matter if you’re religious, Bahai or even Christian, everyone is welcome.

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