Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the BAPS Mandir, an impressive architectural masterpiece that marks Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Hindu temple.
Details about the news:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially opened a new Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, built by the BAPS society.
- Covering 27 acres of land, this temple is the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi and combines Indian and UAE culture.
- The inauguration of this temple also challenges the concept of multiculturalism in the Islamic world.
- The temple was originally envisioned by Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1997 as a way to unite different countries, communities, and cultures.
- The Indian diaspora in the UAE is a significant portion of the country’s population, with approximately 3.3 million individuals.
BAPS:
- The temple was constructed by Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha(BAPS), a branch of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, which is a sect of Hinduism.
- BAPS has a large network of temples and centres worldwide, including famous ones in New Delhi, Gandhinagar, London, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Nairobi.
- They also hold weekly assemblies at thousands of locations globally.
About the temple:
- It is Greco-Roman in nature, constructed of bluish stones in the traditional Nagar style. It is faced with seven shikharas with a front entry that portrays universal values, stories of reconciliation, and the greatest Hindu sages.
- The temple’s area extends to 27 acres with the parking lot designed to take 1,400 cars and 50 buses simultaneously.
- The plot for the temple was completed many years later in 2019 given by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
- The temple gonabe 108 ft tall, 262 ft long, and 180 ft wide. Get a Price Quote: It is made of Rosetta stone which can be seen from the outside and Italian marble that is applied to the inside.
- The masonry of the temple was 20,000 tonnes of stones and marbles that were brought to the site in 700 containers shipment costing more than, or equal to Rs 700 crore.
- It also has two central domes, namely, Dome of Harmony and Dome of Peace, and therefore it is stressing human coexistence.
- The shrine also accommodates a Panel of Peace, exhibiting the breakthroughs made during the engineering phase. They are written in 30 different languages.
- The seven shikhars symbolise the seven Emirates of UAE.
- The temple features the hall which serves as an assembly, a community centre, exhibitions, classrooms, and a convening venue that is located majlis.
Key features:
- The temple was recognized as the Best Mechanical Project in 2019 and the Best Interior Design Concept in 2020.
- It features 96 bells and gaumukhs to honour the 96 years of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s life.
- The temple has used nano tiles for comfortable walking in hot weather.
- There is a stone carving depicting Pramukh Swami Maharaj envisioning the temple.
- Non ferrous material, which is prone to corrosion, has been used in the construction.
- The temple showcases various types of pillars, including a special “Pillar of pillars” with 1,400 small pillars carved into it.
- The surrounding buildings are modern and monolithic in design.
- The temple features deities from different regions of India as well as special features like a “holy river” with water from Ganga, Yamuna, and a depiction of the river Saraswati as white light.
- The temple also includes stories from various civilizations such as Maya, Aztec, Egyptian, Arabic, European, Chinese, and African.
Conclusion:
- A Muslim king provided land for a Hindu temple, with a diverse team of different religious backgrounds involved in the project.
- There has been growing involvement of real estate agents from the UAE in Gujarat, particularly in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
Source: TOI
Practice Questions:
Q. When has the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi planned its consecration ceremony?
Q. What was the diplomatic importance of the UAE giving land for the building of the BAPS Hindu Mandir?
Q. What is the area of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE?
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