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Bahai Temple Kampala
The Bahai Temple Kampala, also known as the Mashriq I’-Adhkar, is a house of worship that serves as a spiritual gathering place for people from all over the world. The Bahai faith was introduced in Uganda in 1951, making it one of the region’s first Bahai communities. The Bahai Temple Kampala was built between 1958 and 1961 on Kikaya hill above every other landscape 3km away in all directions, 4 miles from Kampala on Gayaza road.
The Bahai Temple Kampala is situated on a 52-acre plot of land on Kikaya Hill; the temple is 265 feet tall and 84 feet in diameter, with a 55-hectare compound of various floral garden patches. The construction of the Bahai temple Kampala involved more than one country; Belgium provided the roof tiles, Germany purchased the colored glass, the windows were imported from Britain, and Uganda provided the timber and hard rocks.
History of the Bahai Temple Kampala
The temple’s history dates back to 1946, when Ugandan Dr. Ernest Kalibala, one of Uganda’s first Ph.D. holders, was affiliated with the New York Bahai Centre. Members of the Bahai Faith arrived in Kampala on August 3, 1951. The first two Ugandans converted to the faith in December. In 1958, 52 acres of land in a peaceful area of Kampala were purchased, and construction began and lasted four years, and is still located on Kikaya hill today.
The Bahai Temple in Uganda officially opened to the public on January 15, 1962, the year Uganda gained independence. The architectural design is amazing; the temple was built in the shape of a dome on top of a hill, the inside of which is painted a pale blue color and can seat up to 800 people.
The Bahai Temple Kampala has a 44-foot diameter and is supported by nine large pillars and 27 smaller ones. Surrounded by a peaceful floral garden ideal for evening relaxation, combined with plants of various heights, colors, textures, and fragrances, the environment surrounding the Bahai temple creates mental relaxation while also delighting emotions.
Because of its strategic location, the Bahai Temple Kampala is visible from almost every part of Kampala, even from miles away. Tourists always set aside a day when they arrive in Uganda to visit this area during their vacation. The place welcomes everyone regardless of religion or background, but the Bahai Faith principles must be followed during their visit. Immoral acts are thus prohibited once you enter this house of worship.
The Bahai Faith
The Bahai Faith is unusual and little known in Uganda, but it is mentioned in a number of publications. The Bahai faith teaches a significant number of theological, social, and spiritual principles that were established by Bahaullah, who is regarded as the founder of this religion and has been clarified by successive leaders.
The Bahai teachings include theological statements about God, his messengers, and humans, as well as social teachings such as human equality regardless of gender, race, or class, the harmony of science and religion, and the elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty, among other things.
This principle of the Bahai temple makes it sound genuine if humans are inclined to understand it more. The three core assertions of the Bahai Faith, also known as the “three onenesses,” are central to the religion’s teachings. They are the Oneness of God, the Oneness of Religion, and the Oneness of Humanity, all of which appear to be true.
Activities done while at Bahai Temple Kampala
Even though it is unbelievable, there is a lot done at the Bahai Temple Kampala during your Ugandan safari. The delightful sights and sounds of birds singing gratify the lounging tourists and visitors in the gardens in the evening, supplemented by the cool breeze from down the hill.
Religious Meetings and gatherings
The highlight of the Bahai Temple in Uganda is religious meetings and gatherings. Many people come to the Bai Temple for devotional gatherings such as yoga and meditation. Also, the Hindus in Uganda adore the Bai Temple, which they visit for various religious devotions throughout the year. Other religions also hold fasting meetings here because the environment is so conducive and quiet as if it is isolated from city noise.
Study Tours
Many study circles are held at the Bai Temple; the Bai community developed various study series to assist members in developing a mindful sense of the society around them. These study circles are carried out in groups of about ten people; the groups are responsible for teaching the members about the various pillars of the Bahai faith, Bahai writing, and the unity of prayer, among other strange things about the afterlife.
Birding
Birding is fantastic at the Bahai Temple. Birds flock to the natural environment surrounding the Bahai Temple. Birds and insects are drawn to the various tree species and flowers. There are over 8 species of common east African birds that nest in the old trees surrounding the Bahai Temple.
Weaver birds are common, as are a few woodpeckers, ring-necked doves, pigeons, and palm nut vultures. The tweets of birds heard while walking through the gardens create a very tranquil environment conducive to relaxation.
Other activities include children’s class lessons, which help to gather children from various neighborhoods to teach them about the Bahai teachings and faith. Junior youth class lessons teach youth about moral decisions and how to earn a living through drama, art, craft, and singing, among other things.
During your Kampala city tour here, you will be enticed by the tweets from the birds in the trees, as well as the breeze of wind in the trees and the butterflies, which all communicate the wonders of God’s nature endowed in this little pearl of Africa, Uganda. The serenity of the surroundings near the Bai temple is ideal for yoga and other meditation activities, as well as mind rejuvenation.
Accommodation during a Tour to the Bahai Temple in Kampala
There are a number of restaurants and motels near the Bahai Temple Kampala that charge reasonable prices for standard services. There is Nyumba 591 located about 2.8km from the temple and a night goes around for Ush 66,045; also located about 1.4km is Palm Gardens and Guest house located in Kanyanya, $19 per room, free WiFi.
Other options include Etana Motel, which is about 2.3 kilometers from the Temple, and Kampala Tree House, which is about 3.1 kilometers away from the Temple and costs Ush 110,075, as well as satellite hotels near Kisaasi Trading Centre and many others in the vicinity of the Bahai Temple.
