Lotus Temple, Delhi, India

A petal-topped temple

Elegant building design is a hallmark of the Bahá'í Faith, and this might be the grandest example. The Lotus Temple, located in the Indian capital of New Delhi, shares characteristics with other Bahá'í Houses of Worship, like its nine-sided floor plan and austere interior free of pictures or other likenesses—not to mention its racking up of design awards since its 1986 opening. Its architect Fariborz Sahba modeled the structure after the lotus blossom, a national symbol of India sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, and the 'petals' are clad in Greek marble quarried from the same source as the Parthenon. The Bahá'í interfaith tradition welcomes all people inside, and up to 5 million admirers and worshippers visit each year.