Magnificent Baha’i Faith continental Houses of Worship

SOUTH AMERICAN CONTINENT

Santiago, Chile (under development)- Source: http://www.southwarwickshirebahais.org.uk

Just seven of these magnificent structures currently exist around the globe to serve the seven plus million members of the Baha’i Faith. An eighth for South America is under development near Santiago, Chile (see image above). Their awe-inspiring architectural design is simply jaw-dropping. Baha’i Houses of Worship have three architectural design prerequisites:

“It is to be circular shape, to have nine sides, and to be surrounded by nine gardens with walkways. The emphasis on the number nine comes from the understanding that this number, the largest single digit, symbolizes perfection, comprehensiveness, and unity. Nine is also the numerical value of the Arabic word bahá (light, glory) according to the ancient abjad system, in which each letter of the alphabet is accorded numerical significance.”

Enjoy the photos!

NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT

Wilmette-Chicago, USA (1953) – Source: http://www.bahai.in/bahai-house-of-worship/other-bahai-houses-of-worship

AUSTRALIAN CONTINENT

Sydney, Australia (1961) – Source: http://www.southwarwickshirebahais.org.uk

AFRICAN CONTINENT

Kampala, Uganda (1961) – Source: en.wikipedia.org

EUROPEAN CONTINENT

Langenhein-Frankfurt, Germany (1964) – Source: bahaimauritius.org/the-bahai-faith/holy-place/

CENTRAL AMERICAN CONTINENT

Panama City, Panama (1972) – Source: bahaimauritius.org/the-bahai-faith/holy-place/

PACIFIC ISLANDS

Apia, Samoa (1984) – Source: marianas.bahai.org

INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT

Delhi, India – Source: http://www.southwarwickshirebahais.org.uk

Houses of Worship statistics:

• Wilmette (Chicago), IL, USA (1953) = 138 feet in height (42 meters) – seating for 1,192
• Delhi, India (1986) = 131 feet in height (40 meters) – seating for 2,500
• Kampala, Uganda (1961) = 130 feet in height (39 meters)
• Sydney, Australia (1961) = 125 feet in height (38 meters)
• Santiago, Chile (uc) = 100 feet in height (30 meters) – seating for 600
• Apia, Samoa (1984) = 98 feet in height (30 meters) – seating for 500
• Frankfurt, Germany (1964) = 92 feet in height (28 meters)
• Panama City, Panama (1972) = 92 feet in height (28 meters) – seating for 550

Sources:

• http://www.bahai-encyclopedia-project.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=70:mashriqul-adhkar&catid=36:administrationinstitutions
• http://www.travellerspoint.com/guide/Bahá’%C3%AD_House_of_Worship/
• http://abbotsfordbahai.org/devotionals.php
• http://www.bahai.org/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahá’%C3%AD_Faith
• http://bahaimauritius.org/the-bahai-faith/holy-place/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahá%27%C3%AD_House_of_Worship
• http://bahaikipedia.org/House_of_Worship
• http://www.transindiatravels.com/bahai-temples.html