BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Abu Dhabi

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Abu Dhabi
Geography
Country United Arab Emirates
District Al Rahba
Culture
Sanctum Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, Shiva, Krishna and Ayyappan
Architecture
Architecture Hindu temple architecture
Number of temples 1
Number of monuments 7
History
Creator BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir of Abu Dhabi, UAE is a traditional Hindu place of worship that is being built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The site is located at Al Wathba, which is near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway.[1] The mandir, upon completion, will be the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East.[2] The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, which is headed by Mahant Swami Maharaj, is a denomination of the Swaminarayan branch of Hinduism. The mandir, inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj and blessed by Mahant Swami Maharaj, will be situated on 55,000 square meters of land.[3][1] The central shrine of the mandir will house the idols of Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami, together referred to as Akshar Purshottam. The mandir will also house idols of Ayappa, Shiv Parivar, Ram Parivar, Radha Krishna and Balaji Padmavati. The mandir will be hand-carved by artisans in India and assembled in the UAE. The mandir will incorporate all aspects and features of a traditional Hindu temple as part of a fully functional, social, cultural and spiritual complex.[4] The complex will include a visitor center, prayer halls, exhibitions, learning areas, sports area for children, thematic gardens, water features, a food court, a books and gift shop.[2]

Construction

Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony

In August 2015, the UAE government announced the decision to provide land for building a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first official visit to the country.[5][6] HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Force gifted the land for the mandir.[1]

On 10 February 2018, BAPS representatives met HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan and the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi in the Presidential Palace. A memorandum of understanding was signed by India and the UAE in the presence of the entire royal family and over 250 local leaders.[7] The Shila Pujan (foundation stone laying ceremony) for the mandir took place on 11 February 2018. The Shila Pujan marked the first vedic step in the mandir’s construction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the ceremony via live stream from the Dubai Opera House.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Middle East's first Hindu stone temple to be constructed in Abu Dhabi - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 2018-02-11. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  2. 1 2 "Hindu stone temple to be built in Abu Dhabi by 2020". The National. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  3. ↑ "First Hindu Mandir In Abu Dhabi, UAE, To Be Built By BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha | Indo American News". www.indoamerican-news.com. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  4. ↑ "First Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi to be completed by 2020". Khaleej Times.
  5. ↑ "UAE takes a 'landmark' decision, allots land for building first temple in Abu Dhabi". The Indian Express. 17 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "UAE allots land for temple on Modi visit". Deccan Herald.
  7. ↑ "Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Welcomes BAPS Sadhus and Temple Committee". BAPS. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  8. ↑ "Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple to re-tell ancient stories of wisdom". The National. Retrieved 2018-05-17.

See also


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