PM Modi to inaugurate BAPS temple in UAE
Context:
- During his recent two-day visit to UAE, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Abu Dhabi.
- The inauguration of the 108-ft high temple marks a significant moment for the Hindu community in UAE, as well as for the improvement of two countries’ bilateral ties.
What is BAPS?
- The temple has been built by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) which is a denomination of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, a Vaishnav sect of Hinduism.
- BAPS has a network of around 1,550 temples across the world which include the Akshardham temples in New Delhi and Gandhinagar, and Swaminarayan temples in London, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Nairobi.
- It also runs around 3,850 centres and 17,000 weekly assemblies globally.
How did the demand for such a temple come up and Does Abu Dhabi have a big Swaminarayan community?
- A BAPS spokesperson said that the tenth spiritual guru and head of the sect, on April 5, 1997 had envisioned a Hindu temple in the desert sands of Abu Dhabi which could bring countries, communities and cultures together.
- He also noted that in addition to the above need there was the need of the local Indian community to have a significant place of worship.
- The Indian diaspora is almost 3.3-million strong in UAE which is a huge percentage of the country’s population.
- Of these 3.3 million nearly some 150 to 200 families are BAPS Swaminarayan devotees.
What are the features of the temple?
- The temple in Abu Dhabi is a traditional stone Hindu temple with seven shikhars.
- The temple is built in the traditional Nagar style and the temple’s front panel depicts universal values, stories of harmony from different cultures, Hindu spiritual leaders and avatars.
- It is spread over 27 acres, the temple complex is on 13.5 acres, with a parking area of 13.5 acres that can accommodate around 1,400 cars and 50 buses.
- The 13.5 acres of land for the temple was gifted by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan who is the President of the UAE in 2019.
- The height of the temple in Abu Dhabi is 108 ft, length 262 ft and width 180 ft.
- While the external facade uses pink sandstone which is sourced from Rajasthan, the interior uses Italian marbles.
- A total of 20,000 tonnes of stones and marble was shipped in 700 containers for the construction of the temple.
- A hefty amount of more than Rs 700 crore was spent on the temple’s construction.
- The temple has two central domes which are Dome of Harmony and Dome of Peace and emphasize human coexistence through the carvings of earth, water, fire, air, and plants.
- A Wall of Harmony which is one of the largest 3D-printed walls in the UAE, features a video showcasing key milestones of the temple’s construction.
- The word ‘harmony’ has been written in almost 30 different ancient and modern languages.
- The seven shikhars (spires) are representative of the seven Emirates of the United Arab Emirates.
- Other amenities of the temple include an assembly hall with a capacity of 3,000 people, a community centre, exhibitions, classrooms, and a majlis venue.
Who can visit the temple?
- Similar to all BAPS temples around the world, it is open to everyone.
What are the key architectural features?
- The Hindu temple was judged the Best Mechanical Project of the Year 2019 at the MEP Middle East Awards, and the Best Interior Design Concept of the Year 2020.
- Among the key architectural features are 96 bells and gaumukhs installed around the path which lead to the temple.
- These 96 bells in the temple are a tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 96 years of life.
- Nano tiles have been used and they will be comfortable for visitors to walk on even in the hot weather.
- On the top left of the temple is a stone carving of the scene of Pramukh Swami Maharaj which envisions the temple in Abu Dhabi in 1997.
- No ferrous material (which is more vulnerable to corrosion) has been used in the temple.
- While many different types of pillars can be seen in the temple, such as circular and hexagonal, there is a special pillar, called the ‘Pillar of pillars’, which has nearly 1,400 small pillars carved into it.
- Buildings surrounding the temple are modern and monolithic, with their colour resembling the sand dunes.
- Deities from all four corners of India have been featured in this temple.
- These include Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman, Lord Shiv, Parvati, Ganpati, Kartikeya, Lord Jagannath, Lord Radha-Krishna, Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj (Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami), Tirupati Balaji and Padmavati and Lord Ayappa.
- The temple also has some special features, like a ‘holy river’ surrounding it, for which waters from the rivers of Ganga and Yamuna have been brought in.
- The river Saraswati has also been depicted in the form of white light.
- A Varanasi-like ghat has also been created where the ‘Ganga’ passes.
- Apart from 15 value tales from Indian civilisation, stories also from the Maya civilisation, Aztec civilisation, Egyptian civilisation, Arabic civilisation, European civilisation, Chinese civilisation and African civilisation have been depicted.
