NEW DELHI, 19 March 2008 (BWNS)

-- Every day, the people come. Thousands ofthem. At times it's a constant stream of humanity. Eight thousand people aday, 10,000, sometimes 15,000. On holidays 30,000, even 50,000. And once,150,000.
Yet everyone is calm, orderly, sometimes waiting in line to leave theirshoes in a hidden checkroom and climb the stairs to the building they callthe Lotus Temple. Inside, the mood is one of serenity. Considering the vastnumbers of people who make their way around the property, the peacefulnessperhaps is surprising.
"We are impressed - the discipline," said Ramesh Cheruku, who with his wifeand young son had come from Hyderabad in the south of India for their firstvisit to the Baha'i House of Worship, located in the capital city of NewDelhi.
With more than 4.6 million visitors last year, the temple is one of the mostpopular spots on earth, in a league with St. Peter's Basilica in Rome andnot far behind the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Many of the visitors are from India, but people come from all over theworld. They are Hindus, Christians, atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs,and, of course, Baha'is. There are families, couples, single people,schoolchildren, tour groups.
Many come to see a stunning piece of architecture - and stunning it is.Still, their behavior suggests something more.
"Peace of mind," murmured Reeta Singhai when asked how she felt after herfirst walk through the temple, whose outward form is like a lotus flower. Ithas 27 "petals," arranged in threes so that the structure has nine sides,just like the other six Baha'i houses of worship around the world.
It is exactly this feeling of peace that the public relations director,Shatrughun Jiwnani, mentioned as he pondered the question about what appealsto visitors, most of whom are inside the temple only a few minutes.
"They suddenly find themselves in a place that is quiet," he said. Theypause "and maybe for a few moments look inside themselves."
"You can almost start to hear your own thoughts," agreed Sarang Joshi. Anative of India now living in the United States, he was impressed by what hecalled the "spiritual nature of the building."
"It's really interesting how that's captured by the architecture," he said.
Mr. Jiwnani said most people stay inside for only a few minutes, but such avisit can still be meaningful.
"Maybe two hours of quiet at home means nothing, whereas two minutes in thetemple can move you," he suggested, noting that there are many people whovisit frequently.
"People like it that there are no sermons or lectures here. They are able tobring their own religion and sit and pray or meditate."
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