The first Abu Dhabi Hindu stone temple inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this month, is set to open its doors to the public on March 1, as announced by temple authorities. Located in Abu Mureikhah near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, the temple, constructed by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), spans 27 acres and has been built at a cost of approximately Rs 700 crore. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the grand temple on February 14 during a dedication ceremony attended by over 5,000 invitees. While from February 15 to 29, overseas devotees who had registered in advance or VIP guests were permitted to visit the temple, it will now be open to the public daily from 9 AM to 8 PM, except on Mondays when it will remain closed.
Constructed using 18 lakh bricks and 1.8 lakh cubic meters of sandstone sourced directly from Rajasthan, the temple follows the Nagara style of architecture, similar to the recently inaugurated Ram Temple in Ayodhya. According to temple authorities, its construction adheres to ancient methods mentioned in the Shilpa and Sthapathya Shastras, Hindu scriptures detailing temple design and construction. The UAE, home to at least 3.5 million Indians, donated the land for the temple, underscoring its significance to the Indian community in the Gulf.
This Abu Dhabi Hindu Stone Temple is the largest in the Gulf region, with three other Hindu temples already established in Dubai. Its architecture includes seven spires representing the seven Emirates of the UAE, with carvings of camels, the national bird falcon, and idols of various deities such as Lord Ram, Lord Shiv, Lord Krishna, and more. Notably, alongside tales from Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the temple also showcases stories from diverse civilizations worldwide, including Mayan, Aztec, and Egyptian.
The temple’s completion marks a significant milestone in promoting cultural diversity and religious harmony in the UAE, offering a sacred space for Hindu devotees and visitors alike to experience spiritual solace and architectural marvel.
