Since this religion is still too young to have established relgious buildings in most communities where Bah�'�s live (which is just about everywhere, but not in large numbers, mostly) I am often asked how I worship. What do Bah�'�s use for rituals, and do they pray?

This article is a brief look at the form and purpose of worship in the Bah�'� Faith.

How Do Bah�'�s Worship?

Great article! There is a gorgeous Bahai temple shaped like a lotus in New Delhi, India. They hold short prayer sessions where they chant scriptures from the Bahai holy book. Afterwards, they hold discussions, lectures, debates... I attended a few on my last trip.

That building is a miracle in itself, and I believe it could never have been built anywhere except India! The architect was told there was no way to engineer his design because he hadn't allowed for cranes and other huge 'modern' machines. Thousands of workers came from all over India with their families, and the Bah�'�s provided housing for them, plus schools for the children and a clinic. Those amazing workers, using their hearts and hands and backs--tools of Indian builders for generations--adopted this project, and did what European engineers said could never happen--they put up a 21st century building from scratch, on time and on budget!

Hehe... Cheryll, believe it or not -- a lot of stuff in India still gets built that way! Thousands of people carrying buckets of water, bricks on their heads & small bags of cement too.

But the Bahai lotus temple is spectacular, especially in the evenings right before sunset (never made it to see the sunrise). Just gorgeous! The gardens are very beautiful as well. I hope one day, you are able to visit - you will love it!

I have wanted to visit the Indian House of Worship, but never have travelled that far. What time of year would you recommend, always assuming I can manage it? When traveling in the Americas, I have always used bus and train, but a young friend of mine advises that I am now too old for the Indian ones. (Lowering thought!) Is that true?

Hello Cheryll, India is ALWAYS crowded -- so the best time to go really depends on the local weather & avoiding high peak travel seasons by Indians going back home to visit. It's also much cheaper to travel off season.

The best time to go is mid-Sept throughout November, the weather is cooler but it also marks the Hindu festival season (Dussehra & Diwali). You could either travel during that time or travel after the festivals are over. Their annual dates are dependent on the lunar calendar. Also, travel in Jan to March is okay too, off season & cooler.

Worst months to travel to India:

April to June: Indian summer = 100+ degree temps + super high humidity
June to August: monsoon season & also high travel season
December: cooler temps but also a peak travel season

If you live in a major metropolitan US city, they offer direct flights to Mumbai & New Delhi. If you are going to India to visit the Bahai Lotus temple -- you travel destination is New Delhi. You would fly directly to New Delhi, there is lots to see & do in Delhi itself and the Taj Mahal is in close by Agra.

Do you mean local trains & buses? They do have taxis & also many hotels offer air conditioned cars & bus tours. One thing about India, there is a deep respect for seniors so buses/trains will wait to depart to accommodate older people.

But what you really have to be careful about when taking overcrowded public transportation is pickpockets who target tourists -- a lot of them are harmless unsuspecting kids! One kid tries to sell you something while his friends are picking your pockets :-)) But dont let that discourage you one bit!

Delhi has also just recently started a subway service!

Oh, thank you, Sadhana! Not discouraged, but actually rather encouraged. I don't mind crowds, but temperatures do bother me more than they used to. January would be a good time for me to travel, too.

That's great! US citizens also do need Indian visas & that always takes awhile (6 weeks or longer).