The Baha’i Terraces or Hanging Gardens of Haifa in the north of Israel represent the first eighteen disciples of Bab religion, teaching the equality of all religions and people, taking its begging in Iran ?? in XIX century.
The founder of Bab religion was an Iranian merchant from Shiraz who in 1844, at the age of 24, claimed to be a messenger of God, taken the nickname of “Bab”, meaning the “Gate” in Persian. Later on Bab was persecuted & killed by Iranian government, but his teaching was incorporated in “Baha’i” religious movement, meant “Glory”.
Ever since Bab’s death, eleven Baha’i Temples were built around the world ?: Colombia in 2018, Chile in 2016, India in 1986, Samoa in 1984, Panama in 1972, Germany in 1964, Uganda in 1962, Australia in 1961, USA and Israel in 1953, & the very first one in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan in 1908, where the first Baha’i community of 1,000 people was established.
This very first Temple was already surrounded by gardens, that represented the unity of man’s work & nature of God. At the four corners of the garden were four buildings: a school, a hostel where travelling Bahá’ís were entertained, a small hospital, and a building for groundskeepers.
Baha’i law emphasizes that the Temples & Gardens must be open to all the public, regardless religion, or any other distinction, where spiritual texts of ANY religion may be read in any language.
Although, the texts must be read in silence, no sermons may be delivered, no ritualistic ceremonies practiced, no musical instruments, no songs may be played inside the Temple & Gardens.
Within the Temples there are no pulpits or altars incorporated, & the seats in the auditorium face the Temple in Haifa, where, according to Baha’i sources, the body remains of Bab were places.
Thus, it is a special place of a special religion, definitely worth to visit & to admire the gardens, the Temple & the idea of peaceful existence in general.
TRANSPORTATION
You can easily come here by train or by bus from Tel-Aviv, the trip will last about 2 hours each.
The enterence to Baha’i gardens are free of charge, but the hours of visit vary according to Garden work, so it’s always better to check them on their website.