Its fun sometimes to just hit the road in rains to explore the heritage city. This is what we did few weeks back and here are few of the clicks of Mumbai in this monsoon,
"This is the most beautiful structures of all the lotus shaped buildings in the world"
This is what our guide told us, while introducing us to Baha'i faith and Baha'i temple, well known as Lotus temple, at Delhi.
The front view, from the garden
With few of my cousins practicing yoga and meditation, I knew a pyramidal structure always spreads positive energy. The pointed top attracted the energy. Hence, a person sitting inside a pyramid is supposed to feel relaxed and meditating at such a place would be easier. And Lotus is considered to be one of the sacred flowers, the flower, which retains its purity, by staying untouched to the impure water, where it grows, which teaches us to stay disconnected from the outer world.
Temple, with its reflection on one of the nine ponds surrounding the temple
We were dropped by our HOHO bus, at the main entrance of the Baha'i Temple, which is
almost half a kilometer walk to the temple. You go through security
check in, where perishables and food items are strictly discarded. After
walking half way through lush green garden, there is cabin to deposit
your footwear and head to the
main temple.
The structure is composed of 27 free standing marble clad "petals"
arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides. The nine doors of the
temple open onto a central hall, capable of holding up to, 2500 people.
Its said to be made of white marble from Penteli mountain in Greece, the
same from which other Baha'i houses of Worships are built. There are
nine ponds surrounding the temple.
The pathway, with lush green garden on both sides
Tourists are allowed inside the temple in batches, after a brief introduction to Baha'i faith and the architecture. There are benches inside to sit and meditate. There is no restricted time to sit in the meditation center, as long as you don't disturb others. As soon as I entered, I could feel that positive vib. Sat for few minutes, only to be disturbed by my daughter, who wanted to go out, not able to sit quite.
Travel Info:
Lotus Temple is near Kalkaji Temple, east of Nehru place, Delhi
Entry free
Open Tuesday to Sunday(closed on Mondays)
Timings:
Summer: 9AM to 7PM
Winter: 9AM to 5:30PM
Nearest metro station is Kalkaji Mandir
You can visit their website http://www.bahaihouseofworship.in to understand Baha'i Faith and other Baha'i houses of worship across the world.
To start with this year's Gapanati pandals, here is the first one from my housing society,
Ganapati from GSB Seva Mandal, King's Circle, the richest insured Ganapati of Mumbai, insured for Rs. 50 Crore rupees per day. Also on Diamond Jubliee celebration of GSB Mandal, the idol has 14ft tall, Vyjayanthimala Garland made of small and big Ganapati idols carved of gold and silver, worth around 96 lakh rupees.
GSB Seva Mandal
More idols from across Mumbai,
Church Gate
Hiranandani, Powai
Lower Parel
Eden Woods, Thane
Eden Woods, Thane
Hiranandani Estate, Thane
Will update as I visit more in coming days
Updated on 8th Sept, 2014:
Here is another Ganapati from my neighbour's place, with Antarctica background. Every year they buy their Ganapati from Dadar and uncle says, Dadar market has the beautiful Ganapatis in the city and stand out from others,
And this wall hanging waterfall in their house always attracts me, which they have customized with an idol of Ganapati,
And few toys which attract my little one,
To end with this year's Ganesha Festival is this song by Shankar Mahadevan and my favorite, the song which is played in every pandal and FM radio channel during this festival week.
