The temple is being built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha on a 27-acre site in Abu Mureikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway.
Our Bureau
Abu Dhabi
There is already excitement as Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple is all set to be inaugurated on February 14. Artisans in Rajasthan are beaming with pride now, as their craft is adorning this mammoth temple, being built for over 4 years.
The artisans from villages in Rajasthan’s Makrana embarked on a creative journey in 2019 to bring the vision of the grand temple to life with their intricate sculpting, which continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The temple’s facade features exquisite marble carvings set against a sandstone backdrop, crafted from more than 25,000 pieces of stone by skilled artisans from Rajasthan and Gujarat. A substantial number of pink sandstone were transported from northern Rajasthan to Abu Dhabi for the temple.
Noteworthy architectural elements include two ghumats (domes), seven shikhars (spires) that symbolise the seven UAE’s seven emirates, 12 samrans (dome-like structures) and 402 pillars.
Within each shikhar, intricate carvings depict stories from the Ramayana, Shiv Purana, Bhagavatam and Mahabharata, as well as narratives of Lord Jagannath, Lord Swaminarayan, Lord Venkateshwara and Lord Ayyappa.
The ‘Dome of Harmony’ serves as a unique portrayal of harmony of the five natural elements — earth, water, fire, air and space. The camel — a symbol of persistence, commitment and endurance — has also been etched into the carvings while drawing inspiration from the landscape of the UAE.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address “Ahlan Modi (Hello Modi)” — the Indian community summit at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium on February 13. The following day, he is set to attend a dedication ceremony at the BAPS temple.
According to the temple authorities, 40,000 cubic feet of marble has been used to build the interiors.
Madhusudan Patel, the temple’s construction manager, said, “Our journey during the construction has been a blend of innovation and overcoming challenges.” “We have used heat-resistant nano tiles and heavy glass panels, merging both traditional aesthetic stone structures with modern-day functionality,” he said.
