Reportedly weeks after the ram Mandir’s consecration in Ayodhya, prime minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate another significant temple in Abu Dhabi on february 14. The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi is the first Hindu temple in uae, situated in the capital’s Abu Mureikha area. The temple is expected to be one of the largest and most beautiful Hindu temples outside of india and the largest Hindu temple in West Asia.
During PM Modi’s first visit to the uae in 2015, the uae decided to allot land for building a temple in Abu Dhabi. The PM’s visit was crucial diplomatically as he became the first indian prime minister after indira gandhi to visit this strategic gulf nation in 34 years. The temple’s design draws inspiration from Vedic architecture and sculptures. Many of the statues and carvings have been done by artisans in india and have been shipped to Abu Dhabi. The consecration ceremony of the temple is scheduled for 14 february 2024 as it falls on the auspicious Basant Panchami.
The BAPS claims to run over 3,850 centres across the world and 1,100 temples. The organisation was also behind the Akshardham in Robbinsville, New jersey, which is also the world’s largest Hindu temple outside of India. Akshardham Mahamandir, located 99 kilometres south of New York City, is in an area of 185 acres in New jersey and stands at 191 feet high. During the construction of the temple, 1.9 million cubic feet of stone were used and brought from over 29 different sites around the world, including Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, turkey and India. The Akshardham temples in delhi and gujarat are also run by BAPS.
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