Slide show: The Baha'i House of Worship in New Delhi, India, with more than 4 million visitors a year, is the most visited Baha'i property in the world.

In the shadow of the lotus, peace and calm prevail

NEW DELHI
19 March 2008 (BWNS)

Every day, the people come. Thousands of them. At times it's a constant stream of humanity. Eight thousand people a day, 10,000, sometimes 15,000. On holidays 30,000, even 50,000. And once, 150,000.

Yet everyone is calm, orderly, sometimes waiting in line to leave their shoes in a hidden checkroom and climb the stairs to the building they call the Lotus Temple. Inside, the mood is one of serenity. Considering the vast numbers of people who make their way around the property, the peacefulness perhaps is surprising.

"We are impressed - the discipline," said Ramesh Cheruku, who with his wife and young son had come from Hyderabad in the south of India for their first visit to the Baha'i House of Worship, located in the capital city of New Delhi.

With more than 4.6 million visitors last year, the temple is one of the most popular spots on earth, in a league with St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and not far behind the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Many of the visitors are from India, but people come from all over the world. They are Hindus, Christians, atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, and, of course, Baha'is. There are families, couples, single people, schoolchildren, tour groups.

Many come to see a stunning piece of architecture - and stunning it is. Still, their behavior suggests something more.

Mohan Vijaykumar, right, works in security and when circumstances permit likes to welcome visitors. He speaks half a dozen Indian languages as well as English, and knows phrases in many more languages. Thousands of visitors have heard his friendly greeting: "Hello! Where do you come from?"

"Peace of mind," murmured Reeta Singhai when asked how she felt after her first walk through the temple, whose outward form is like a lotus flower. It has 27 "petals," arranged in threes so that the structure has nine sides, just like the other six Baha'i houses of worship around the world.

It is exactly this feeling of peace that the public relations director, Shatrughun Jiwnani, mentioned as he pondered the question about what appeals to visitors, most of whom are inside the temple only a few minutes.

"They suddenly find themselves in a place that is quiet," he said. They pause "and maybe for a few moments look inside themselves."

"You can almost start to hear your own thoughts," agreed Sarang Joshi. A native of India now living in the United States, he was impressed by what he called the "spiritual nature of the building."

"It's really interesting how that's captured by the architecture," he said.

Mr. Jiwnani said most people stay inside for only a few minutes, but such a visit can still be meaningful.

"Maybe two hours of quiet at home means nothing, whereas two minutes in the temple can move you," he suggested, noting that there are many people who visit frequently.

Visitors often pause for a few minutes of prayer or quiet reflection. People from all religions are welcome at the House of Worship.
SOURCE:
http://news.bahai.org/story/611