Abu Dhabi's First Temple to be Inaugurated by PM Modi on 14 Feb

Weeks after the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate another significant temple on February 14 in Abu Dhabi. The BAPS Hindu Mandir, located in the capital’s Abu Mureikha area, marks the first Hindu temple in the UAE and is anticipated to be one of the largest and most exquisite Hindu temples outside of India, as well as the largest in West Asia.

Background and Diplomatic Significance

During PM Modi’s first visit to the UAE in 2015, the country allocated land in Abu Dhabi for the construction of a Hindu temple. This visit held diplomatic importance, making Modi the first Indian Prime Minister in 34 years to visit the strategic Gulf nation. The temple project was inaugurated by the PM in February 2018, and construction commenced in December 2019.

BAPS Hindu Mandir Details

Location: Abu Dhabi’s Abu Mureikha area.
Size and Cost: Built on over 5.4 hectares at a cost of Rs 700 crore.
Architecture: Incorporates intricately designed pink sandstone and marble façade with seven spires representing each of the Emirates of the UAE.
Materials Used: 40,000 cubic meters of marble, 1,80,000 cubic meters of sandstone, and over 1.8 million bricks.
Facilities: The complex includes a large amphitheatre, a gallery, a library, a food court, a majlis, two community halls accommodating 5,000 people, gardens, and children’s play areas.

BAPS Hindu Mandir Design and Inspiration

The temple’s design draws inspiration from Vedic architecture and sculptures.
Artisans in India crafted many statues and carvings, shipped to Abu Dhabi.

BAPS Organization:

Full Form: Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).
Roots: A socio-spiritual Hindu faith rooted in the Vedas, pioneered by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the late 1700s.
Establishment: Formally established in 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj (1865-1951).
Global Presence: BAPS claims to operate over 3,850 centers worldwide, including 1,100 temples.
Notable Project: BAPS was behind the construction of Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, the world’s largest Hindu temple outside of India.

Akshardham Mahamandir (Robbinsville, New Jersey)

Size: Spans 185 acres and stands at 191 feet high.
Construction: Used 1.9 million cubic feet of stone from 29 different sites worldwide, including Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and India.
Affiliation: Akshardham temples in Delhi and Gujarat are also run by BAPS.