BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi

Coordinates: 24°36′59.4″N 54°43′54.7″E / 24.616500°N 54.731861°E / 24.616500; 54.731861
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
BAPS Hindu Mandir
Akshar Purushottam[1]
Location
CountryUnited Arab Emirates
Geographic coordinates24°36′59.4″N 54°43′54.7″E / 24.616500°N 54.731861°E / 24.616500; 54.731861
Architecture
FounderMahant Swami Maharaj
Completed14 February 2024
Site area27 acre[2]
Website
mandir.ae

The BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi in the UAE, is a traditional Hindu mandir built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921–2016) and consecrated (transl. prana pratishtha) by Mahant Swami Maharaj on 14 February 2024, this is the first traditional Hindu mandir in Abu Dhabi.

In 1997, Pramukh Swami Maharaj envisioned a mandir in Abu Dhabi. In August 2015, the UAE government announced they would provide the land for the mandir.

Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, gifted 27 acres of land for the mandir. In September 2019 the mandir gained legal status, and in December 2019, the construction commenced. The mandir is constructed from pink sandstone from northern Rajasthan and marble from Italy. The mandir stands 108 feet tall, 262 feet in length and 180 feet in width. Over 200 volunteers from the UAE, Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, and other Gulf countries dedicated more than 690,000 hours towards the construction. This is the first Hindu stone mandir to undergo complete digital modeling and seismic simulations during the construction process.[3]

The mandir is a symbol of interfaith harmony, representing the UAE's and India’s good relations to foster understanding, acceptance, and unity among people of different religious backgrounds. Accordingly, the mandir carvings not only incorporate stories from the Ramayana, Shiva Purana, Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, and the lives of Hindu figures, but also stories from Arabian, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Native American, and other civilizations. The mandir complex includes the traditional Hindu mandir, a visitor centre, prayer halls, exhibitions, learning areas, a sports area for children, thematic gardens, water features, a food court, and a book and gift shop.

Deities

Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami (collectively known as Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj)

The mandir's middle shrine houses the marble murtis (transl. sacred images) of Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami, who are collectively worshiped as Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj. Swaminarayan is the founder of the Swaminar

ayan Sampradaya and is revered as Purushottam (God) and Gunatitanand Swami is the first spiritual successor of Swaminarayan and is revered as Akshar.[4][5][6][7]

The second shrine houses the marble murtis of Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, with his consort, Radha. Radha-Krishna are a central deity pair worshiped in Vaishnavism.[5][8] The third shrine houses the marble murtis of Rama with his consort Sita, his brother Lakshmana, and Rama’s dedicated devotee Hanuman. Rama is worshiped as an avatar of Vishnu.[5][9] The marble murtis of Shiva, a principal deity in Hindu traditions, with his consort Parvati, goddess of power and energy, and two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya, are housed in the fourth shrine.[5][10]

The fifth shrine houses the black granite murtis of Srinivasa, also known as Venkateshwara, an incarnation of Vishnu, and his consort Padmavati who is an incarnation of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. These murtis were crafted by expert artisans from the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh.[5][11] The murtis of Jagannath, a form of Krishna, accompanied by his siblings Subhadra and Balabhadra are housed in the sixth shrine. These murtis was made from cast metal under the supervision of the king of Jagannathpuri in Odisha. [12][13]

The seventh shrine is dedicated to the deity Ayyappan, the son of Mohini and Shiva. His murti is made from panchaloha (traditional five-metal alloy) and was designed by 15 artisans from Kerala. The murti sits on a pedestal and is four feet in height. The murti is also accompanied by a model of the 18 holy steps of the Sabarimala Ayyappa mandir in Kerala.[5][14][15]

History

On 5 April 1997, in the desert of Sharjah, Pramukh Swami Maharaj prayed for peace amongst all religions, prosperity for all countries and for a mandir in Abu Dhabi.

The history of the BAPS Hindu mandir began in 1997 during Pramukh Swami Maharaj's visit to the Middle East. Pramukh Swami Maharaj visited a desert in Sharjah where he envisioned a mandir in Abu Dhabi that would bring "countries, cultures, and religions closer together."[16][17]

In August 2015, the UAE government announced the decision to provide land for building a Hindu mandir in Abu Dhabi.

Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, gifted the land for the mandir.[20] Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan gifted 13.5 acres for the temple and 13.5 acres for parking.[17]

On 10 February 2018, BAPS representatives met Sheikh Mohamed and the Indian Prime Minister in the

Presidential Palace.[21] A memorandum of understanding was signed by India and the UAE in the presence of the entire royal family and over 250 local leaders.[22] Prime Minister Modi expressed that the mandir "will be a holy place where humanity and harmony will unite".[23] The first stone consecration (transl. shila pujan) for the mandir took place on 11 February 2018.[24]

On 20 April 2019, in the presence of Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS, the foundation stone-laying ceremony (transl. shilanyas vidhi) was performed in the presence of guests and officials from India and the UAE. Expressing his thanks to the UAE government, Ambassador Navdeep Suri said, "This will be the eternal bridge of friendship between our nations, our cultures and civilisations".[25][26]

Construction

BAPS Hindu Mandir under construction

Construction of the mandir began in December 2019 on 27 acres of land.[16] The site is located at Abu Mureikhah, which is near Al Rahba off the Dubai–Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway.[20]

For the construction, tonnes of pink sandstone were brought from northern Rajasthan to Abu Dhabi.[27] This durable stone from the northern Indian state was selected for the mandir exterior due to its ability to withstand scorching summer temperatures of up to 50 °C (122 °F), such as those sometimes experienced in the UAE. Marble from Italy was used to build the interior of the mandir. To minimise the carbon footprint, fly ash was used in the foundation's concrete mix. This is the first Hindu traditional mandir to undergo complete digital modeling and seismic simulation.[28] This is also the first traditional Hindu stone mandir in the Middle East.[29]

Volunteer participation

Over 200 volunteers from the United Arab Emirates, Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, and other Gulf countries have dedicated more than 690,000 hours to the construction of the mandir. [30][31] Their participation extends across various domains, encompassing logistics, civil engineering work, construction, planning, and mandir maintenance, thereby playing a crucial role in shaping the project. Individuals of diverse backgrounds, including teenagers, businesswomen, designers, and retired expatriates from Africa, the Gulf, the UK, the US, and India, have contributed to the mandir's construction. These volunteers describe their service as part of their devotion and spirituality.[32] Noteworthy is the inclusion of children in this collective effort, engaging as volunteers and contributing to the creation of stone art as a symbol of harmony.[33]

Architecture

The side view of the mandir.

The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi is the largest Hindu temple in West Asia and the first traditional Hindu stone mandir in the Middle East.[17] The mandir can host up to 10,000 people at a given time.[34][35] The mandir stands at 108 feet in height, 262 feet in length, and 180 feet in width. Other architectural features include: two ghumats (domes), seven shikars (spires) symbolic of the seven Emirates in UAE, 12 samrans (pyramidal domes) and 402 pillars. It contains white marble carvings in its interior against a pink sandstone exterior backdrop.[36][37][34] The mandir is made of more than 25,000 pieces of stone carved by skilled artisans in India.[34] Within each of the shikars, there are carvings of stories from the Ramayana, Shiva Purana, Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, and carvings that portray the lives of Jagannath, Swaminarayan, Venkateshwara, and Ayyappa.[36] The 'Dome of Harmony' showcases the five natural elements - earth, water, fire, air, and space.[38] There are also carvings of animals like horses and camels that represent the UAE. Each of the horse and camel carvings are unique.[39]

The mandir incorporates all aspects and features of a traditional Hindu mandir as part of a fully functional, social, cultural, and spiritual complex.[40] The complex will include a visitor centre, prayer halls, exhibitions, learning areas, a sports area for children, thematic gardens, water features, a food court, a book and gift shop.[41] The mandir has 100 sensors in the foundation and over 350 sensors throughout the mandir to provide data on earthquake activity, temperature variations, and pressure changes.[36]

The mandir design also incorporates environmental-friendly features such as wooden pallets being recycled to make benches, tables, and chairs for the food court. There is a waterfall feature on the mandir campus that symbolizes the source of the three rivers holy to Hinduism - the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.[38]

Interfaith and cultural harmony

On 15 February 2024, Mahant Swami Maharaj and world religious leaders convened during the evening assembly.

The land to build this

Jain. This shows the significance of interfaith and cultural harmony in this mandir project.[42]

As part of the UAE's initiative to promote cultural diversity, tolerance, and peace, the government organised a ceremony in September 2019 and officially awarded legal status in the UAE to the BAPS Hindu Mandir and 17 other houses of worship.[43]

During the foundation stone laying ceremony in April 2019, Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, said "Laying the foundation stone of the mandir is reflective of the landscape of tolerance and pluralism in the UAE. The Founding Father, late

Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, the Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence of UAE, stated, "The craftsmanship is intricate and amazing, and the place will help spread global harmony."[45]

In May 2023, during a visit by ambassadors from 30 countries Japanese Ambassador, Akio Isomata, said, "I see a philosophy of tolerance in the carvings."[46] In January 2024, diplomats from 42 countries visited the mandir. Deputy Ambassador of the UK Jonathan Knight stated, "It's wonderful to see a place that's been contributed to by so many different faiths coming together to build something that will last for generations."[47]

Inauguration

Mahant Swami Maharaj performing the pran-pratishtha rituals.

The 12-day celebration for the inauguration of the mandir, called the “Festival of Harmony,” commenced on 10 February 2024. A Vedic ritual seeking divine blessings, named the “Yagna for Harmony,” took place on 11 February 2024. It was the first such global harmony ritual in the region.[48][49][50] On the morning of 14 February 2024, the mandir was consecrated through a Vedic ceremony (prana pratishtha) led by BAPS spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj.[51][52][53] On the afternoon of 14 February 2024, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi joined Mahant Swami Maharaj in dedicating the mandir to the public.[54] Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, and the spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Mahant Swami Maharaj addressed the inaugural assembly.[55][56] [57] Narendra Modi said, “This temple will become a symbol of communal harmony and global unity for the entire world.”[58] Sheikh Al Nahyan said, “The UAE is a tolerant country, where people from different places, religious and ethnic backgrounds live in peace, harmony, and cooperation. You now have a new temple that will serve as a place of worship and a community centre for all.”[59] Mahant Swami Maharaj stated, “Throughout the ceremony, I have been praying for the people of this country and the world. May there be peace and prosperity for everyone and may we all progress together to serve the whole of humanity.”[58]

In the days following the inauguration, a series of events were held focusing on harmony, civilization, peace, gratitude, values, and inspiration. On 15 February 2024, an assembly called the “Day of Harmony” brought Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist, and other religious leaders together to commemorate the opening of the mandir and foster interfaith harmony.[60] The Festival of Harmony came to an end on 21 February with a program organized by women called “Day of Inspiration.” The program spotlighted women’s contributions to society and humanity. More than 2,000 women attended the assembly.[61][62]

The mandir opened to the public on Friday, 1 March 2024, and on Sunday, 3 March 2024, more than 65,000 people visited the mandir.[63][64] To accommodate the pilgrims and visitors, the UAE incorporated a new bus service on the weekends from Abu Dhabi City to the mandir in Abu Mureikha.[65] On 10 April 2024, due to the anticipation of the growing crowed, the BAPS Hindu Mandir announced a user-friendly pre-registration booking system designed to accommodate the thousands of visitors of the sacred Mandir.[66]

Gallery

  • Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami (collectively known as Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj)
    Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami (collectively known as Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj)
  • Krishna and Radha
    Krishna and Radha
  • Shankara, Parvati, Kartikeya, and Ganesha
    Shankara, Parvati, Kartikeya, and Ganesha
  • Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman
    Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman
  • Shrinivas and Padmavati
    Shrinivas and Padmavati
  • Jagannath, Balbhadra, and Subhadra
    Jagannath, Balbhadra, and Subhadra
  • Ayyappa
    Ayyappa
  • Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016), visionary of the BAPS Abu Dhabi Hindu mandir
    Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016), visionary of the BAPS Abu Dhabi Hindu mandir
  • Shastriji Maharaj, founder of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
    Shastriji Maharaj, founder of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
  • Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and Mahant Swami Maharaj
    Bhagatji Maharaj, Shastriji Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and Mahant Swami Maharaj
  • Aerial view of the campus.
    Aerial view of the campus.
  • The side view of the mandir.
    The side view of the mandir.
  • Sculpture depicting the moment Pramukh Swami Maharaj prayed for a mandir in Abu Dhabi in 1997.
    Sculpture depicting the moment Pramukh Swami Maharaj prayed for a mandir in Abu Dhabi in 1997.
  • The twelve Jyotirlingas are sculpted along the exterior of the spire enshrining the murtis of Shankar, Parvati, Kartikeya, and Ganesh
    The twelve Jyotirlingas are sculpted along the exterior of the spire enshrining the murtis of Shankar, Parvati, Kartikeya, and Ganesh
  • Exterior carving showing Swaminarayan ordaining Gunatitanand Swami, his first spiritual successor
    Exterior carving showing Swaminarayan ordaining Gunatitanand Swami, his first spiritual successor
  • Exterior wall carvings depicting the Rath Yatra festival of Jagannath in Odisha
    Exterior wall carvings depicting the Rath Yatra festival of Jagannath in Odisha
  • Exterior carving depicting Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan as narrated in the Shrimad Bhagavat Purana
    Exterior carving depicting Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan as narrated in the Shrimad Bhagavat Purana
  • The story of the ancient Egyptian God of the deceased, Osiris, etched hieroglyphic-ally
    The story of the ancient Egyptian God of the deceased, Osiris, etched hieroglyphic-ally
  • Ganesha sculpture on the mandir pillars
    Ganesha sculpture on the mandir pillars
  • Interior carvings of the mandir
    Interior carvings of the mandir

See also

References

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External links