BAPS HINDU MANDIR : UAE 1ST HINDU TEMPLE !

10 MAJOR FACTS ABOUT BAPS HINDU MANDIR !

PM Modi will Inaugrate First Hindu Temple In UAE : Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate UAE's historic BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Abu Dhabi on February 14.

1.   The BAPS Hindu mandir project took root during Pramukh Swami Maharaj's visit to the UAE in 1997 when he envisioned the construction of a temple in Abu Dhabi aimed at fostering unity among countries, cultures, and religions.

2.   In August 2015, the UAE government made the significant announcement to allocate land for the construction of a Hindu mandir in Abu Dhabi.

3.   Groundbreaking for the mandir commenced in December 2019 on a sprawling 27-acre site in Abu Mureikhah.

4.   More than 200 volunteers from the United Arab Emirates devoted over 690,000 hours to the construction effort.

5.   Positioned as the largest temple in West Asia, the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi boasts the capacity to accommodate up to 10,000 individuals.

6.   The imposing structure stands tall at 108 feet, with dimensions of 262 feet in length and 180 feet in width.

7.   Architectural highlights include two ghumats (domes), seven shikars (spires) representing the seven Emirates in the UAE, 12 samrans, and 402 pillars. Crafted from over 25,000 individual stone pieces by skilled artisans in India, the mandir features marble carvings set against a sandstone backdrop. Intricate carvings within the shikars narrate stories from the Ramayana, Shiva Purana, Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, and depict the lives of Jagannath, Swaminarayan, Venkateshwara, and Ayyappa. The 'Dome of Harmony' showcases representations of the five natural elements – earth, water, fire, air, and space. Additionally, carvings of horses and camels symbolize the UAE, each uniquely carved without repetition.

8.   The Festival of Harmony, including inaugural events, is scheduled to commence on February 10, 2024, with a Vedic ritual named the 'Yagna for Harmony' seeking divine blessings planned for February 11, 2024.

9.   Prime Minister Narendra Modi has graciously accepted an invitation from BAPS to attend the inauguration and is expected to participate in the public dedication assembly in the evening.

10.        Prime Minister Modi expressed his belief that the mandir "will be a holy place where humanity and harmony will unite."