About Lotus Temple
A Bahai House of Worship whose 27 free-standing marble petals, arranged in three concentric clusters of nine, form one of the most visited buildings on earth — open to every religion, silent, and stunning at dusk.
History
Commissioned by the Bahai community of India in 1976 and completed in 1986 at a cost of ₹10 crore, the temple was designed by Iranian-Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba after six years of geometric studies. The 40-metre dome is composed of 27 free-standing marble-clad petals carved from Greek Pentelic marble — the same source that built the Parthenon. Since opening, more than 100 million visitors have passed through its doors, making it one of the most-visited buildings in the world, ahead of the Taj Mahal by annual footfall. It has won the GlobArt Academy award and is an enduring symbol of Bahai principles of unity across faiths — prayer, silence, and hospitality without distinction.
Best Time to Visit
October to March
Travel Tips
- Closed every Monday — a classic tourist mistake
- No photography, no shoes, no talking inside the central hall — silence is a rule, not a request
- Free entry, no ticket, but queues on weekends exceed two hours — go early on a weekday
- Metro: Kalkaji Mandir station on the Violet/Magenta lines is a 5-minute walk
Famous Food in Lotus Temple
Temples & Heritage Sites
- Akshardham Temple — world's largest Hindu temple complex, 8 km away
- Kalkaji Mandir — the Shakti Peetha adjacent to Lotus Temple
- ISKCON Temple East of Kailash — a 20-minute drive
How to Reach Lotus Temple
Lotus Temple is located in Delhi, India at coordinates 28.5535°N, 77.2588°E. You can reach Lotus Temple by air (nearest airport in Delhi), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Lotus Temple?
- The best time to visit Lotus Temple is October to March.
- What are the top travel tips for Lotus Temple?
- Closed every Monday — a classic tourist mistake. No photography, no shoes, no talking inside the central hall — silence is a rule, not a request. Free entry, no ticket, but queues on weekends exceed two hours — go early on a weekday. Metro: Kalkaji Mandir station on the Violet/Magenta lines is a 5-minute walk.
- What food is famous in Lotus Temple?
- Famous dishes in Lotus Temple include: Chole Bhature at Sita Ram Diwan Chand (Paharganj), Butter Chicken at Moti Mahal Daryaganj — where the dish was invented, Parathas at Paranthe Wali Gali, Chandni Chowk, Kulfi at Roshan Di Kulfi, Karol Bagh.
