This morning we met our driver, Dharamveer, and guide, Anita, from Magic tours and drove to the Lotus Temple which is of Bahai Faith. We were told it has surpassed the Taj Mahal in visitors per day. Bahai's believe all the major religions are paths to God and read from all of the scriptures in their services.
The Lotus Temple immediately reminds one of the Sydney Opera House from a distance.
The number 9 s considered the perfect number so there are 9 petals, 9 pools etc.
One of the 9 entrances
The extensive gardens are totally tended by volunteers
All water in the garden is recycled.
Children risk their lives knocking insistently on car windows at traffic lights and places cars stop or slow, asking for money
India Gate - celebrates Independence- the police barricades going up everywhere are in preparation for Pres. Obama's visit on January 26, Independence Day. He will be here 4 days.
Hard to see but a group of military preparing for Obama visit.
The Lotus Temple immediately reminds one of the Sydney Opera House from a distance.
Visitors maintain silence creating a wonderful space for meditation. The seats are marble. No adornments except plants and flowers.
Next we visited a Muslim part of Delhi. We passed through markets on the way to a Sufi temple. Sufis are the mystical form of Islam and use dance and music to experience ecstasy.
The temple is hard to see here. Only men are allowed inside. Several times a week there is a public ceremony in the courtyard in front when all can dance.
This is the outside court where the women pray. The red on the window is from pieces of red yarn people weave to represent their wishes. They make the distinction of prayer being about God and the :I wants" being our wishes. A good distinction I think. It would be good to realize asking God to win a game is a wish, not a prayer, might be healthier.
Along with the Sufi temple is a traditional Muslim temple.
After these visits we returned to our hotel for lunch and rest.
Again our driver picked us up and drove up to Akshardham - the largest Hindu temple in the world. It reminded me of Ankgor Wat. It was huge with pools, gardens and a very large rectangular walkway around the property.
Security was very tight. NO cameras, cell phones, purses, knapsacks, are allowed and need to be checked. We had misunderstood and both had our cameras. There was a VERY LONG line to check personal things tht were not allowed. Norbert chose to take our cameras back to the car. Then we queued in 8 lanes across. People from these were released into queues for men and women. It was a stampede as people rushed from the 8 lanes to feed into the next level. 2 separate halls with airport like security carried out very thoroughly. Since the women's line was shorter I had to wait some time for Norbert to clear.
Since I was unable to take pictures of this amazing temple, you can see pictures of it here
http://tinyurl.com/qh4spgz
Wedding offerings. These will be gifts to wedding guests. There number will match the attendees.
A Buddhist Stupa.
End of an amazing day.
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