Abu Dhabi Hindu Temple
New Delhi: The first Hindu temple in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is ready. This temple is built in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The temple was built by Buchasan resident Akshar Prashotham Swaminarayan (BAPS) and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This temple itself is a wonderful example of equality for all religions. This temple is of Hindu religion and built in a Muslim country and the land for the temple was also donated by the Muslim government. While the architect was a Christian during the construction of the temple, the director is a Jain. Besides, the project manager is a Sikh and the structural engineer is a Buddhist. Also, the organization that built the temple belongs to a person from the Parsi community.
Abu Dhabi Hindu Temple
The temple is built on 27 acres.
Built in Abu Dhabi, this temple is spread over 27 acres. The height of the temple is 108 feet and its length is 262 feet and width is 180 feet. Seven sanctuaries have been built in the temple, in which idols of various deities will be kept. The foundation stone of the temple was laid by Mahant Swami Maharaj and PM Modi on 20 April 2019. After almost 5 years on 14 February 2024 PM Modi and Mahant Swami Maharaj have inaugurated this temple.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi
According to daily Bhaskar’s report, the dream of a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi was seen in 1997 and the realization of this dream started in 2012. In 2012, the search for land for the construction of the temple began. Meanwhile, officials of the temple BAPS met with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and proposed to divide two to three pieces of land for the construction of the temple.
Abu Dhabi Hindu Temple
The crown prince had given 27 acres of land for the temple.
Prince’s administration began to consider the proposal. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the UAE in 2015. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince gave permission to build the temple in front of PM Modi and promised that he would also give land for the temple. Three years later, in 2018, the land for the temple was officially allotted to BAPS. Initially, the crown prince had given 13.5 acres of land in Abu Dhabi. After the permission was given for the construction of the temple, all the work including the design continued. When BAPS went to Pren with the final proposal, they said you are building a temple in just 13.5 acres. Meanwhile when you will bring stones from India. Where will they be kept and where will all the other construction materials be kept? During this period the prince gave another 13.5 acres of land. Now a temple has been built on this 27 acre land.
Abu Dhabi Hindu Temple
The land for the construction of the temple had been acquired but the most difficult work was yet to be done. It was a difficult task to build a temple in a Muslim country, which operated according to Sharia law. There is no idolatry in Shariat. BAPS doubted whether the temple would be allowed to be built as per Indian tradition. If we were adamant about the Kalash, it was possible that the temple itself would be cancelled. For this reason, two designs of the temple were created, one with the traditional peak, the other without. In the second temple, it was suggested that we keep the idols and keep the architecture of the building normal from the outside. Both types of designs were discussed with the Crown Prince. He then said that the temple should be built in Indian style. The UAE and the Prince have no objection to this and will not be banned.
Abu Dhabi Hindu Temple
The stones of the temple were brought from Rajasthan.
After this permission of the prince, the construction of the temple was started quickly. Stones were carved for the temple in Rajasthan. Statues were erected in different parts of the country. They were brought to Abu Dhabi by ship from Mundra Port in Kutch, Gujarat. Here BAPS started construction of the temple in collaboration with Shapoor Ji Pallonji Company of India and the temple was completed in about five years.
