21 Stunning Photos of Baha’i Houses of Worship

by Collis in Baha'i Life on Apr 3, 2011.

If you’ve never visited one of the seven Baha’i Houses of Worship, it’s really worth doing. Not only are they a serene place to pray and meditate, but are also simply stunningly beautiful to look at. The temples are spread out across the world, with an eighth currently under construction in Chile and sites chosen in forty five more countries.

Abdu’l-Baha has said that:

…the original purpose of temples and houses of worship is simply that of unity–places of meeting where various peoples, different races and souls of every capacity may come together in order that love and agreement should be manifest between them . . . that all religions, races and sects may come together within its universal shelter …Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 65

Moreover in his book A Short Introduction to the Baha’i Faith, author Moojan Momen discusses how the Houses of Worship will become important social centers:

It is envisaged, however, that in the future in each town there will be built a house of worship (Mashriqu’l-Adhkár). Around it will be built schools, universities, libraries, medical facilities, orphanages and so on. This will become the spiritual and social centre of the community. A Short Introduction to the Baha’i Faith (Read it Online)

It would be difficult to get out to the seven locations spread out from Uganda to Australia, but fortunately thanks to the magic of social photo sharing site Flickr, you can see some gorgeous photos of these important Baha’i buildings. We’ve collected a sample of great photography from Flickr to get you started. Be sure to click through and view the galleries of these talented photographers, as well as stop by the Flickr Baha’i Houses of Worship Group for more photographic goodness.

Wilmette, USA

Baha’i House of Worship by Giant Ginkgo

Baha’i Temple in WIlmette, IL at sunrise by Aereoplain

Baha’i Temple in Wilmette by magnificentextravaganza

Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, IL by Yffoto

Old School Baha’i by jupiters1117

Kampala, Uganda

Templos Baha’is en el Mundo by Francisco Gonzalez

Frankfurt, Germany

Temple Top by Iainsimmons

Ascension of Baha’u'lah in Langehain by NataschaM

Panama City, Panama

Templos Baha’is en el Mundo by Francisco Gonzalez

Apia, Samoa

Baha’i Temple, Apia, 2004 by Danfascia

Baha’i Temple in Samoa by glemley8

Sydney, Australia

Baha’i Temple Sydney I by RudmerHK

Baha’i Temple Sydney IV by RudmerHK

New Delhi, India

Lotus Temple, New Delhi by Souva Chattopadhyay

Lotus Temple by Sapierre

Lotus Temple I by Kaushelendra

Lotus Temple Lights Out by Peter Davis

House of Worship,

Photography

Temple

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About the Author

Hi, my name is Collis! I'm a Baha'i web designer, blogger and tech entrepreneur. During the day I work at Envato and you can also find me on Twitter.

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Apr 04 2011
at 10:18am

MiselD says

Great post Collis, pictures are amazing! Just fantastic!

Apr 05 2011
at 8:55am

Graham says

Wow. These temples show some really beautiful architecture. Very inspiring indeed.
Thanks for sharing these Collis.

Apr 05 2011
at 9:00am

Waheed Akhtar says

Great collection Collis!

Apr 05 2011
at 3:58pm

dan says

wonderful photos! and there are so many more of these wonderful shots on flickr.

Apr 07 2011
at 5:13am

June says

The exquisite carving calls careful attention and study.

Apr 09 2011
at 10:39am

ismat rishani says

iinspires faith and peace!

Apr 10 2011
at 6:07pm

soulfulady says

When a soul has been wandering in the desert of life,
far, far away from its Source of All That Is,
a drink of water from an oasis such as this is lifesaving and lifegiving.
Thank you for refreshing and reviving me with these photos.
I had almost forgotten the taste.

Apr 25 2011
at 10:57am

kushtar says

In my article in Polish language I have better photos of Baha’i Temples.

http://www.eioba.pl/a/297t/bahaicka-architektura-sakralna

Preethi Apr 26 2011 at 12:05am

Nice photos, thanks for sharing!

Jun 07 2011
at 3:47am

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[...] 6 Gorgeous Baha’i iPhone Wallpapers Share it: by Collis in Resources on Jun 7, 2011. Over the last few years Apple’s iPhone has become rather ubiquitous, and I’ve seen more than a few Baha’is carrying them about. But what is a little harder to find are Baha’i wallpapers for the iPhone. Happily there is a lot of great imagery around that is Baha’i related, for example just check out our gallery of Stunning Photos of Baha’i Houses of Worship. [...]

Jun 08 2011
at 3:19pm

Rose says

I’ve visited the temple in Kampala, Uganda, and it was a wonderful experience. Now I want to see the rest!

Jun 20 2011
at 2:13am

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Jul 13 2011
at 3:00am

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[...] So at the head of your will you must have the Most Great Name, this can be written in any of three ways: ‘Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá’, ‘O Glory of the Most Glorious’, or as calligraphy similar to that shown in the photo of the roof of the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette. [...]

Nov 13 2011
at 10:25am

AASHU says

wonderderful……..NICE PHOTOS. These temples show some really beautiful architecture.

I HV NEVER VISIIT ANY BAHAI HOUSE. BUT I WANT TO SEE THE ALL.ITS REALLY VERY NICE.

THANKS

Jan 04 2012
at 10:06pm

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Mar 23 2012
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at 8:53pm

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Aug 18 2012
at 5:01am

Gina Smith says

Thank you for making available something I can share by email with new Bahais.

Aug 25 2012
at 2:11am

Hi, I have more then 50 stunning Baha’i Temple photos

http://kusztar.livejournal.com/909.html