Bahai Temple has become a landmark of the capital city in Kampala establishing faith in the country. Bahai Temple faith was introduced in 1951 in Uganda with members representing nearly every tribal and religious background and being located in over 2,800 localities throughout the country. In Africa, Bahai Temple is a house of worship whose construction was complected in 1961 along Gayaza road on kikaya Hill.
Bahai Temple can also be called Mashriq I’Adhkar the worship house that acts spiritually gathering people all over the world. Although visitors are not allowed to take photos inside the Temple, the house is beautiful constructed in art and designed in structure surrounded by flowers, fruit trees, and pass heading to the dome.
Uganda the pearl of Africa is one of the 10 Bahati centers which makes it one of the chosen spiritual bahati centers in the whole continent. Some of the other Bahati temples include in countries like India, USA, panama, chile, samoa, Austria, Germany and many more.
Bahai Temple has become a touristic attraction for both locals and international whose religion is growing fast in the world with spiritual principles affirming that there is oneness of humanity as well as believing that there is only one Creator in all religions. The Temple is purposely in worshiping God as they are praying and meditating during devotional gatherings
Structure on Bahai Temple
Baha’u’llah who was from Iran introduced Bahai faith in 1844 and was constructed with various materials colored glass from Germany, steel and window flames fitting from Britain, lower roof tiles, timber, and branches for making doors and walls of pre-cast stone quarried in Uganda. The temple is based on a spiritual vision thus making the entrance door decorated and designed in a unique architecture of flowers from the gardens.
While visitors are inside the temple, they will spot multi colored huge glass plane window and the temple has a platform just like other temples.
Despite the fact that the temple is positioned in a place with trees and is out of town makes it the best destination for visitors to pray and meditate with no noise from town. The temple invites all religions since it is aimed at promoting unity in all religions.
What are rules and regulations of Bahai Temple?
Just like any other temple or Gaddafi Mosque has the rules and regulations, so is the Bahai temple and these include,
- The Bahai temple is always open and welcomes all religions since it is purposed in creating unity in religions in the world.
- Visitors are not allowed to take photos while in the temple since they worship one God, there are no pictures.
- While in the temple, visitors must either silent their phones or put them off.
- Plucking of flowers and plants in the compound or at the door entrance is prohibited.
- Using drugs, smoking and taking alcohol while in the temple is not allowed.
How to access Bahai Temple?
Bahai temple can be accessed by either public or private vehicle or boda boda from Kampala. The temple is approximately 7km on Gayaza road in kanyanya-on-kanyanya hill giving the best view of the town which is 3km from Kampala city.
What to do while at Bahai Temple?
Study groups/cells.
Bahai community has got various courses which are done in cell groups that help the individuals to create conscious ideas on help they can support the community. During study groups, there are tutors who leads them in teaching process whom they consult incase of anything. Some of the courses include Bahai writings which are sacred writings, learning benefits of a prayer in unity, nature of the soul and life after death as a saved person. Bahai temple teachings makes them learn on how to conduct themselves in a society as a Christian, how to improve on the spiritual conditions, understand and reflect on the topics and many more.
Children class session.
Despite the fact that God loves children, they grow up knowing God’s love, kindness, humanity, pray, care, help, and knowing God’s word. Children from all corners of the world are allowed and those in Bahai neighboring communities are called to take part in cells which will keep them grow Holy as God fearing children. However, children are taught other talents besides bible reading and teachings like games, art, memorizing quotations, storytelling thus growing in spirit.
Camping.
Bahai temple allowed camping of the youth junior classes to develop the spiritual intelligence of children between 11 years to 14 years. They are taught to put Bahai temple princes in practice, making moral decisions and through expressing their talents in singing, acting in drama, art and crafts and many more.
Birding
Despite the fact that the Bahai temple is surrounded by various trees and plants, it makes it the best destination for birding since it is also positioned on a hill. Some of the common bird species spotted there include Ross’s turaco, great blue turacos, black kite, pied crow, kingfishers, hadada ibis, Ring necked bird, Red eyed dove, laughing dove, bronze sunbird, vultures, white egrets, grey parrot, spotted wood dove, and many more.
Devotional gatherings
To strengthen the unity of Bahai faith, individuals share prayers in groups during the gathering or meeting. People do share their prayer request and they pray for them in group to keep unity and togetherness in spirit as well as sharing stories, playing gospel music as they unite neighbors and families in Christ. During the meetings and gatherings, people are sensitized and about the goodness of God.
