Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the first Hindu temple in the UAE
The UAE government donated the land for the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, with construction beginning in 2019
Located on 27 acres at Abu Mureikhah near Al Rahba, the temple is a project by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
This temple is the Middle East’s first traditional Hindu stone mandir, featuring a height of 108 feet, a length of 262 feet, and a width of 180 feet
Over 20,000 tonnes of stone and marble were shipped from India, making it one of the largest Hindu temples outside India
The construction incorporates eco-friendly materials, with fly ash comprising about 55% of the concrete mix, and without using any iron or steel reinforcements
Artisans from Gujarat and Rajasthan carved numerous pillars with intricate designs, embodying elements of Hindu ‘shilpashastras’ using pink stone and white marble
Inside the temple, visitors can see representations of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, alongside idols of various deities including Ganesha, Shiva-Parvati, and Radha-Krishna
The temple features 7 towers symbolizing the 7 emirates of the UAE and over 100 sensors are installed in its foundation for maintenance and security
Built at a cost of Rs 700 crore, it has additional amenities are prayer halls, a visitor centre, thematic gardens, classrooms, exhibition centres, and play areas for children