Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Hindu temple to be unveiled by PM Modi on February 14: A Pictorial Journey

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to embark on a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting Tuesday. The highlight of his visit will be the inauguration of Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple, marking his seventh trip to the UAE since 2015.

The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) temple, situated in Abu Dhabi, will be officially opened by the Prime Minister on February 14, with doors welcoming the public from March 1. The temple complex boasts a plethora of facilities, including a visitors’ center, exhibition spaces, prayer halls, educational zones, sports facilities catering to children and youth, a food court, thematic gardens, and a book and gift shop, among others.

BAPS emphasized that the temple, serving as a symbol of harmony, will be accessible to people of all faiths, inviting them to explore and immerse themselves in Hindu culture and spirituality.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the temple:

During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UAE in 2018, the BAPS Hindu Mandir project in Abu Dhabi was formally announced, followed by the foundation stone-laying ceremony in April 2019. The temple’s architecture incorporates seven shikhars, each representing one of the Emirates of the UAE. Noteworthy features include an amphitheater reminiscent of the ghats of the Indian river Ganga, a recreated sand dune, and symbolic streams symbolizing the Ganga and Yamuna rivers of India. The temple’s design also incorporates elements from diverse cultures, promoting the universal theme of love transcending religious boundaries.

On April 5, 1997, devotees accompanied His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the then-president of BAPS, to a desert area in Sharjah, UAE, where he prayed for global peace, progress, inter-religious harmony, and expressed a desire for a temple to be built in Abu Dhabi.

Over the ensuing two decades, BAPS representatives engaged with community and government leaders to secure permission for the temple’s construction. In 2015, the UAE Government allocated land for the Hindu temple, a decision that Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly appreciated, expressing gratitude to the UAE authorities.

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and Mandir Limited were selected by both governments to oversee the construction, development, and management of the temple project.

Following years of diligent effort, the BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi has been erected on the designated land in Abu Mureikhah, Al Rahba area, near the Abu Dhabi-Sweihan-Al Ain Road, close to the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway. The temple’s seven towers symbolize the seven emirates of the UAE.

Reports suggest that the temple adheres to ancient Hindu architectural principles, making it a marvel of craftsmanship. The exterior is crafted from pink sandstone sourced from Rajasthan, while the interior boasts intricately carved white marble, painstakingly crafted by artisans from India. Over 2,000 artisans from Gujarat and Rajasthan have dedicated three years to carve detailed designs of animals, musicians, and celestial elements into the white marble pillars.

BAPS has underscored the temple’s commitment to eco-friendly practices, utilizing fly ash to replace a significant portion of cement in the concrete mix, thereby reducing its carbon footprint. Additionally, more than 300 sensors have been installed to monitor the structure’s temperature, pressure, stress, and seismic activity.

The BAPS Hindu Mandir complex, with its distinctive architectural aesthetics, aims to serve as a hub for art, culture, and values. BAPS, a global community-driven social and spiritual organization, caters to millions worldwide through its temples, centers, and volunteers.