Lotus Temple. Designed by Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba, the temple is characterized by its nine-sided construction. The temple complex consists of a total of 27 independent marble "petals" that are grouped in groups of three to form nine sides (through which nine entrances open into a central room) and in groups of nine to form three concentric rings. In combination with a glass and steel roof, this creates the overall impression of a floating lotus flower.
The Lotus Temple is the second youngest of the eight Baháʼí Temples on the Indian subcontinent. Located in the Baháʼí district of Delhi, India, it was designed by the Iranian-Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba, who was commissioned to build it in 1976. Its name derives from the building's shape, which is meant to resemble a lotus flower. Opened on December 24, 1986, the temple has since won numerous architectural awards and been featured in countless magazines and newspapers. It is one of the most famous Baháʼí shrines and has been visited by over 50 million people, averaging about three million visitors annually. The temple serves as the Mother Temple for the Indian subcontinent and is a prominent example of modern architecture in India. Since 2014, the Lotus Temple has been on India's tentative list for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.