Chicago Temple - interior

Cities of Europe and North America Visited by ‘Abdu’l-Baha during 1911-1913

Europe: Thonon-les-Bains, Switzerland; Paris, France; Stuttgart, Germany; Budapest, Hungary; London, England; Clifton, England; Byfleet, England; Oxford, England; Edinburgh, Scotland

USA: New York, N.Y.; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, Md.; Chicago, Illinois; Kenosha, Wis.; Cleveland, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Montclair, N. J.; West Englewood, N.J.; Jersey City, N.J.; Cambridge, Mass.; Boston, Mass.; Malden, Mass.; Medford, Mass.; Fanwood, N.J.; Morristown, N.J.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Dublin, N.H.; Green Acre, Eliot, Maine; Minneapolis, Minn.; St. Paul, Minn.; Denver, Colo.; Oakland, Calif.; Palo Alto, Calif.; San Francisco, Calif.; Sacramento, Calif.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Salt Lake City, Utah.; Pasadena, Calif.

Canada: Montreal, Quebec

(‘Baha’i Year Book 1925-1926’)

The Greatest Divine Institute – the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar

The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar [Baha’i temple] is the most important matter and the greatest divine institute. Consider how the first institute of his holiness Moses, after his exodus from Egypt was the 'Tent of Martyrdom' which he raised and which was the traveling temple. It was a tent which they pitched in the desert wherever they abode, and worshipped in it. Likewise, after his holiness Christ - May the spirit of the world be a sacrifice to Him - the first institute by the disciples was a temple. They planned a church in every country. Consider the Gospel, (i.e., read it), and the importance of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar will become evident. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Quoted in ‘Baha’i Year Book 1925-1926’)

Why do Baha'i Temples have nine sides?

Nine is the highest digit, hence symbolizes comprehensiveness, culminations; also, the reason it is used in the Temple's form is because 9 has exact numerical value of ' Baha' (in the numerology connected with the Arabic alphabet) and ' Baha' is the name of the Revealer of our Faith, Bahá'u'lláh.

The 9-pointed star is not a part of the teachings of our Faith, but only used as an emblem representing '9'. In telling people of the 9 religions of the world, that is existing religions, we should not give this as the reason the Temple has nine sides. This may have been an idea of the architect, and a very pleasing idea, which can be mentioned in passing, but the Temple has 9 sides because of the association of 9 with perfection, unity and ' Baha'. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Directives from the Guardian’)