When designing the Baha’i House of Worship in New Delhi, architect Fariborz Sahba used the lotus flower as a metaphor for man’s potential: the flower springs up from muddy water, blooming into something of undeniable beauty. Nine ponds surround the structure, which consists of 27 freestanding marble slabs that represent petals. According to Guinness World Records, it’s the most visited religious building in the world, attracting more visitors than the Taj Mahal.