Indians in UAE prepare for Ahlan Modi, a day before BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi inauguration

The Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya in January 2024 is adopted by the BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi inauguration on February 14, 2024. To be opened by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who additionally did the honours for the Ayodhya temple, the Abu Dhabi temple would be the largest Hindu mandir in West Asia (aka Middle East).

A day before the BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi opening, Indians in the United Arab Emirates will attend the ‘Ahlan Modi’ gathering on February 13. At this occasion, PM Modi will handle expats on the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Registration is ongoing on the Ahlan Modi UAE 2024 Registration portal.

Temple ode to the seven emirates

BAPS, which stands for Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, started engaged on plans for the magnificent Hindu mandir in 2018. The land was given to the religious organisation, which has a international presence, by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In 2019, the temple’s Shilanyas (laying of the inspiration stone) ceremony was held by BAPS, with the participation of a number of Arab dignitaries, together with Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence.

Now prepared for its grand inauguration, BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi stands on a 27-acre parcel of land. Its design pays tribute to the seven emirates that type the UAE, represented by seven temple spires.

On January 29, 2024, a group of ambassadors and diplomats from 42 nations had a preview of the temple. The go to was organised by Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the United Arab Emirates.

Greeting the group, Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of the BAPS Hindu Mandir undertaking, took them by way of the temple’s historic significance, development, and its international position in selling interfaith concord.

BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi reality file

• Construction price range: Estimated INR 700 crore (USD 84.37 million)
• Land space lined: 27 acres (1.18 million sq. toes)
• Location: Abu Mureikhah, close to Al Rahba, alongside Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway
• Materials: Italian marble and sandstone from Rajasthan for warmth tolerance
• Tech parts: Sensors, digital modelling, and seismic simulation
• Design parts: 2 ghumats (domes); 7 shikhars (spires); and 402 pillars
• Temple façade: Marble carvings towards a sandstone backdrop
• Indian tales: Carvings on every spire are based mostly on tales from the Indian epics and scriptures
• Dome of Harmony: Brings collectively earth, water, hearth, air, and area
• Various sections: Visitor centre; prayer halls; exhibition areas; studying areas; kids’s play space; thematic gardens; water options; meals court docket; bookstore and reward store