Contrary to popular belief, the Lotus Temple is not a Hindu Temple. It is a Bahá’i House of Worship. The Baha’i Faith is a religion stemming from the Shaykhi School of Shia Islam. Originating in Iran in 1863, the religion soon spread to India.
In 1953, the Indian Baha’i community, that comprised of less than 1000 followers, bought 26 acres of land for the construction of the House of Worship. Over 10 years later, on the order of the Hand of Baha’ism, the Baha’i architect, Fariborz Sahba was approached to design the structure. A majority of the contribution towards the expenses of construction was by a Baha’i follower Ardeshir Rustampur.
The Lotus Temple was completed in 1986. Keeping with the beliefs of the Bahá’i Faith, the temple was opened to everyone, irrespective of their gender, religion or other distinctions.
In the 1800s, the Shaykhism is prevalent in Persia. The leader of this movement, Siyyid Kazim Rashti, leads the movement until his death. While on his deathbed, he refuses to appoint a successor. Instead, he tells his disciples to travel far and wide in search of the Promised One.
Symbolism of the Lotus
In Bahá’i Faith, the lotus represents the manifestation of God. It is a symbol of purity and tenderness. In Hinduism, the lotus is associated with the deities Brahma, Vishnu and Lakshmi. The ability of a lotus to bloom while growing amidst mud is seen as a sign of spiritual promise.
This symbolism is also noticeable in Chinese cultures. A Confucian scholar once said, “I love the lotus because while growing from mud, it is unstained”. In Buddhism, the flower is also seen as a symbol of detachment, as water droplets tend to slide off it’s petals.❤️❤️💯
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