Baháʼí House of Worship

A Baháʼí House of Worship, or Baháʼí temple, is a place of worship in the Baháʼí Faith. It is also referred to as Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (Arabic: "Dawning-place of the remembrances of God").

Each House of Worship features a nine-sided design surrounded by nine gardens and pathways, reflecting the symbolic significance of the number nine, which Baháʼís associate with unity and completeness. The interior comprises a prayer hall in which the seats face the direction of the Shrine of Baháʼu'lláh. Houses of Worship are open throughout the week to both Baháʼís and non-Baháʼís for prayer and reflection, with some having scheduled weekly devotional services. While scriptural texts from any religion may be recited or chanted, the temples prohibit sermons, ritual ceremonies, and the reading of non-scriptural texts. In addition, several Houses of Worship have formed choirs which sing music based on the Baháʼí writings. At present, most Baháʼí devotional meetings occur in individuals' homes or local Baháʼí centres rather than in Houses of Worship.

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