Reflection of Spiritual Harmony
For centuries, faith, spirituality, and architecture have intertwined to produce some of the world’s most awe-inspiring structures. One of these structures is the BAPS Hindu Temple in the UAE, a cultural icon and an architectural marvel. Located at Dubai Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Highway, the BAPS Hindu Temple is an architectural marvel and a religious epicentre that perfectly encapsulates the magnificence of cultural and religious diversity and is a reflection of spiritual harmony.
Background of BAPS Sanstha
The Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha is known by its acronym, BAPS. The late 1700s religious guru Bhagwan Swaminarayan is the inspiration behind the organisation’s name.
According to the BAPS website, it is a socio-spiritual Hindu religion with origins in the Vedas that was founded in 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj (1865–1951) and pioneered by Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781–1830) in the late 18th century.
The BAPS manages 1,100 temples and 3,850 units globally. The BAPS is also in charge of the Akshardham temples in Gujarat and Delhi. The organisation was also responsible for the construction of the largest Hindu temple outside of India, Akshardham, in Robbinsville, New Jersey. BAPS also runs multi-speciality healthcare facilities at various parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra
Image Credit: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
History of the Temple
- Year 1997: Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, conceived the idea of constructing a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi during his 1997 visit to the UAE.
- Year 2015: During PM Modi’s two-day visit to the Gulf nation in Aug 2015, crown prince of abu dhabi gifted 27 acres of land for constructing a temple
- Year 2018: On February 10th, 2018, BAPS representatives, led by Prime Minister Modi, met with Sheikh Mohamed in the Presidential Palace. A memorandum of understanding for the temple project was signed.
- Year 2019: The foundation stone for the temple was laid by PM Modi on April 20th, 2019, which was attended by Mahant Swami Maharaj and dignitaries from both India and the UAE.
- Year 2024: Inauguration of the Temple (February 14th, 2024)
Interesting Fact (Unity in Religious Diversity)
BAPS Hindu Temple is not just a place of worship but a pillar of strength between the two nations, symbolising religious harmony.
- Interestingly, the Muslim King donated the land to a Hindu temple where the lead architect is a Christian Catholic, the project director is a Sikh, the structural engineer is a Buddhist, the contractors are Parsis, and the director comes from the Jain tradition. People from all countries, communities, and religions have given their hands to build this temple.
Architectural Wonders:
- According to PTI, spread over 27 acres, the temple complex is on 13.5 acres, with a parking area of 13.5 acres that can accommodate around 1,400 cars and 50 buses
- With a length of 262 feet, a width of 180 feet, and a height of 108 feet, this colossal structure can accommodate up to 10,000 people.
- The temple was built with 1.8 million bricks, 4 lakh man hours, and an expenditure of 700 crores.
Image credit: Hindustan times
- Surrounding the temple are lush gardens and reflective ponds that enhance a serene setting for visitors to relax, meditate, and connect with nature.
Image credit: PTI
Materials and Craftsmanship
The BAPS Hindu Temple is a feat of extraordinary design and artistry. While its external facade uses pink sandstone from Rajasthan (180,000 cubic metres), the interior uses Italian marble (40,000 cubic metres)
- The temple construction has incorporated fly ash to replace a significant portion of cement in the concrete mix (in line with sustainable practices), thereby reducing its carbon footprint.
- Additionally, around 150 sensors monitor the structure’s temperature, pressure, stress, and seismic events, ensuring the safety and longevity of the temple.
- No ferrous material has been used, maintaining the purity of the religious space. To keep the sacred space welcoming in all weather conditions, nanotiles have been installed with designs to keep visitors comfortable even in extreme heat.
- In the last 3 years, more than 2000 artisans from Rajasthan and Gujarat have carved a structure that boasts intricate detailing, including a massive central dome, hundreds of pillars, and thousands of statues.
- The temple displays the timeless craftsmanship of Indian heritage, which narrate ancient Vedic sculptures and architecture, including several idols of Hindu deities such as Lord Ram and Lord Ganesha
Image Credit: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
- temple will also have visitor centre prayer Halls, exhibitions and learning areas, a children’s Sports area, thematic gardens, a food court and a gift shop
- More information will be available at https://www.mandir.ae/
Significance of the Temple
Beyond its architectural grandeur, the BAPS Hindu Temple is a sanctuary of spirituality. The majestic complex reflects the spirit of Indian culture and the growing friendship between India and UAE
- The unique feature of the Mandir is the “Dome of Harmony” (which represents the harmony of five natural elements: earth, water fire air and space)
- The temple aims to promote the values of peace, harmony, and tolerance, as well as the teachings of Hinduism, such as compassion, non-violence, and respect for all living beings.
BAPS Hindu Temple Inaugurations
On the auspicious day of February 14th, 2024, when Bengalees will be celebrating Saraswati Puja, the world, along with the celebration of Valentine’s Day, will witness the inauguration of the first and biggest Hindu stone temple in the entire Middle East, “BAPS Hindu Temple“ in the United Arab Emirates. After the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, India, on January 22, 2024, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the temple in the UAE. The ceremony will include rituals, prayers, chants, and music, as well as cultural performances and speeches. The temple will be open to the public on March 1, 2024.
Image credit: India today
BAPS Hindu Temple serves as a cultural ambassador, opening the doors of Hinduism to the world.
It also serves as a powerful symbol of the enduring bond between the United Arab Emirates and India. Its construction, inauguration, and ongoing activities highlight the mutual respect, appreciation, and cooperation that exist between the two nations, contributing to a stronger and more vibrant relationship built on the foundation of shared cultural heritage and values.
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