Modi inaugurates BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (14) inaugurated the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi along with His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the current spiritual guru of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Swaminarayan Sanstha, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The latter presided over a Vedic ceremony that was held on the occasion.

Dressed in a light pink silk dhoti and kurta paired with a sleeveless jacket and stole, Modi participated in rituals of a ceremony to dedicate the temple to the people. He also participated in “Global Aarti”, which was performed simultaneously at over 1,200 temples of the Swaminarayan sect worldwide built by the BAPS.

“I hope that the BAPS Mandir will become a symbol of communal harmony and global unity for the whole world,” Modi said, addressing a gathering that included UAE tolerance minister Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and spiritual leaders from all faiths.

Earlier, the visiting leader met people from different faiths who contributed to the construction of the first Hindu stone temple here. The prime minister also offered water in the virtual Ganga and Yamuna rivers at the temple before proceeding to inaugurate the structure.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi with BAPS spiritual head His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj during the inauguration of BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on February 14, 2024. (Picture: Video screengrab from BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha website/https://live.baps.org/dedication)

The temple, spread over 27 acres and built at a cost of Rs 700 crore (£67 million), is the Middle East's inaugural traditional Hindu stone temple.

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According to the temple authorities, the temple has been built as per an ancient style of construction and creation mentioned in the Shilpa and Sthapathya Shastras, Hindu scriptures which describe the art for mandir design and construction.

"The architectural methods have been clubbed with scientific techniques here. Over 300 high-tech sensors have been installed at every level of the temple to measure temperature, pressure and movement (seismic activity). The sensors will provide live data for research. If there is any earthquake in the region, the temple will detect it, and we will be able to study," Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of international relations for BAPS, told Indian news agency Press Trust of India.

No metal has been used in the construction of the temple and fly ash has been used to fill up the foundation, replacing 55 per cent of cement in the concrete mix, reducing the carbon footprint of the temple.

The temple is built on the land gifted by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE. In 2015, he donated 13.5 acres of land for the construction of the first temple in the UAE. A few years later, he gifted 13.5 acres more.

Madhusudan Patel, the temple's construction manager, told PTI, "We have used heat-resistant nano tiles and heavy glass panels, merging both traditional aesthetic stone structures with modern-day functionality. Considering the extreme temperatures in the UAE, the tiles will be comfortable for visitors to walk even in hot weather. Non-ferrous material has also been used in the temple."

According to Umesh Raja, a volunteer at the temple, 20,000 tonnes of sandstone pieces were carved in Rajasthan and then shipped to Abu Dhabi in 700 containers.

"Not just the stone, many labourers who helped construct the temple over five years belong to Gujarat and Rajasthan. Even the marble mined from Italy was first shipped to India for carving and then back to the UAE to be used in the interiors," he said.

The inauguration of the temple will be celebrated through the 12-day 'Festival of Harmony' which commenced on February 10 and will continue till February 21 with a series of community events.

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The inauguration of the temple project was made by Modi in 2018 while the foundation-stone-laying ceremony was done in April 2019. The construction of the temple started in December the same year.

A grand 3D model of the temple complex was exhibited in the India Pavilion during Expo 2020 in Dubai in October 2021.

The ‘Pratham Shila Sthaapan Saptah’ – a week-long event was held at the temple to sanctify the bricks that were used for the construction.

In October last year, Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami performed a ritual to bless seven spires of the temple, each representing an Emirate of the UAE, from a crane-lifted box.

The Indian prime minister, who attended the World Government Summit in Dubai earlier in the day, was received by Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami, the project chief of the temple, and Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, upon his arrival at the site of the temple. He greeted the top temple officials and offered his prayers.

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He also visited a 3D centre that offers a 12-minute immersive experience about the temple -- its vision and journey.

The grand inauguration ceremony was attended by thousands of devotees and dignitaries.

The temple's opening took place on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, a Hindu festival that marks the onset of spring in India. On this day, Hindu Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge, wisdom and culture, is also worshipped.

February 14 also marks the birth anniversary of Shastriji Maharaj, the founder of BAPS Sanstha.

(With agency inputs)