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| PM Modi will Inaugurate Grand BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Feb 14 |
PM Modi will Inaugurate Grand BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Feb 14
On February 14th, 2024, PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the famous BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Here is everything you need to know about this famous mandir.
PM Modi Set to Inaugurate BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi - A Grand Architectural Marvel
After the historic foundation stone laying of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the Indian diaspora in the UAE is set to witness another important milestone in Hindu architecture - the inauguration of the awe-inspiring BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi.
On February 14th, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the traditionally-built Hindu temple, also known as the Swaminarayan Mandir, in a grand ceremony. The BAPS Mandir is an architectural masterpiece, carved entirely out of stone and hand-crafted over a span of 5 years in India, before being assembled in the UAE.
Here is everything you need to know about the iconic BAPS Mandir in Abu Dhabi that is soon to be open for devotees from across the world:
The Majestic Architecture of the BAPS Hindu Mandir
- The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi encompasses a massive area of 107,000 square feet. The intricately hand-carved sections were created by over 3,000 artisans in India, then assembled like pieces of a puzzle in the UAE.
- The Mandir structure consists of two main levels - the ground floor and a mezzanine floor, surrounded by five grand towers and impressive domes. The towers honor the five key elements - fire, water, air, earth and space.
- The exterior facade depicts intricate Hindu architecture with carved pillars, arches, domes and windows. The Mandir is built entirely from hand-carved pink sandstone and white marble.
- The interiors are adorned with exquisite motifs and stone ceilings. The main prayer hall features stunning representations of Hindu deities through ornate carvings and murtis.
- Overall, the monumental BAPS Hindu Mandir weaves together traditional Hindu craftsmanship with a unique contemporary style inspired by the diversity of the UAE.
The Man Behind the Mandir - Pramukh Swami Maharaj
The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi is a vision of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha organization.
In 2001, Pramukh Swami Maharaj suggested establishing a traditional Hindu stone mandir in the UAE, a land that welcomes diverse cultures and religions. The BAPS organization accepted this visionary guidance and began work on the Abu Dhabi Hindu temple project.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj sadly passed away in 2016 at the age of 95. However, under his inspiration, the BAPS organization brought together over 3,000 artisans to hand-craft the historic Hindu Mandir sections in India, before assembling them in Abu Dhabi.
This grand mandir in the UAE stands as a testament to Pramukh Swami Maharaj's far-sighted vision and commitment to Hindu culture around the world.
Key Facts About the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi
Here are some fascinating facts about the one-of-a-kind BAPS Hindu Mandir that will soon open its doors to worshippers:
- The pink sandstone and white marble were carved by hand in India. Over 5,000 tons of stone were shipped to the UAE for construction.
- It took 300 containers and 25 shipments to transport the Murtis and pre-fabricated carved stones from India.
- The Mandir will be open for worshippers of all religions and nationalities.
- An underground parking area can accommodate up to 2,500 cars.
- Over 3,000 workers and artisans were involved in the Mandir construction.
- The Mandir structure can withstand earthquakes up to a magnitude of 5.5 on the Richter scale.
- The main Mandir is bordered by nine additional temples dedicated to Hindu deities.
- There are 15 shikhars or spires, with the tallest spire rising 105 feet above the ground.
The BAPS Mandir - Bringing Indian Culture to the UAE
The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi signifies a new era of India-UAE relations, bringing Indian faith and culture to foreign shores.
This is the first traditional Hindu stone mandir in the entire Middle East, signifying the UAE's firm commitment to promoting inter-faith harmony and diversity. The mandir will serve over 3 million Indian expats who consider the UAE their second home.
As PM Modi inaugurates the Swaminarayan Mandir on February 14th, the world will witness the splendor of Indian architectural traditions shining proudly in the desert sands of the Gulf.
For the Indian diaspora, it is a dream come true to have a consecrated Hindu temple with hand-carved shikharas, marble murtis and sacred shrines right in their backyard in Abu Dhabi. The BAPS Mandir will give them a profound sense of solace and community bonding.
Beyond worship, the sprawling complex will also host exhibitions, conferences, community events and outreach programs. Truly, this Mandir is on its way to becoming an iconic cultural landmark in the UAE's inspiring architectural landscape.
FAQs About the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi
Here are some common queries about the BAPS Mandir project in Abu Dhabi:
Q1. Where is the BAPS Hindu Mandir located in Abu Dhabi?
The BAPS Hindu Mandir is located along the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Highway, around 20km from the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Q2. How can I visit the BAPS Mandir in Abu Dhabi?
The Mandir will be open for visitors between 6:30am to 8:30pm daily. Guided tours will also be available.
Q3. What is unique about the BAPS Mandir architecture?
Hand-carved from pink sandstone and white marble, the Mandir intricately fuses traditional Hindu temple architecture with contemporary styles. The carved columns, arches and towers showcase excellent Indian craftsmanship.
Q4. How did the stones for the Mandir get to Abu Dhabi?
Over 5,000 tons of handcrafted stones were shipped in 300 containers from India to the UAE through 25 voyages for the temple construction.
Q5. What colorful festivals will the BAPS Mandir celebrate?
The Mandir will host Diwali, Holi, Janmashtami and other Hindu festivals in its outdoor venues. The Murti Pratishta anniversary and Swaminarayan festivals will also be celebrated.
As February 14th marks the auspicious inauguration of the BAPS Hindu Mandir by PM Modi, this architectural marvel is poised to become a beacon of faith and Indian culture in the UAE. Bringing together spirituality, history and visionary leadership, the Abu Dhabi Mandir will be an icon of human artistry and commitment for generations to come.
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