There are seven shrines in the temple. All of them are devoted to different Indian Gods and Goddesses from the north, east, south and west.
Ahead of the inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14, the consecration of the Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi built by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha or the BAPS society was held. The first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi represents a unique blend of the culture and history of both the nations. Public access begins March 1.
“The construction of BAPS temple here would not have been possible without your support,” PM Modi told the UAE President during a bilateral meeting on February 13.
#WATCH | UAE | Consecration ceremony of BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi being done ahead of its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, later today.
(Video: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha) pic.twitter.com/qHYUc8ZNhF
— ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2024
Let us explore 10 key things about the temple.
-Situated in the Abu Mureikhah area, the temple is built at an estimated cost of Rs 700 crore. The pink Rajasthan sandstone and white Italian marble stone were carved in India and later assembled in the UAE.
– The temple has been built on the 13.5 acres donated by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He donated the land during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country in 2015.
-The BAPS or Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha is a Hindu sect. Known for its reverence for Swaminarayan as an avatar of Lord Krishna, the sect spearheaded the construction.
– The design is inspired by Vedic architecture and sculptures. Each of the seven spires of the temple symbolises an Emirate of the UAE.
– The foundation stone was laid by PM Modi in 2017. The UAE Government allocated another 13.5 acres in January 2019.
– There are prayer halls, a visitor centre, and thematic gardens among other spaces inside the temple.
– It has around 100 sensors installed in its foundation. Also, there are more sensors in various other areas to check seismic activity and more.
– Like the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, iron and steel have not been used to build this temple.
– A registration portal has been set up to smoothen the inauguration event. Transport is being arranged from all emirates. The event is being organised by 150 Indian community organisations in the UAE.