BAPS Hindu Mandir 

On February 14, 2024, the traditional Hindu mandir 'BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi' was opened, the first one in Abu Dhabi and the largest in the Gulf region. We had visited a Hindu temple before, but never one in the UAE. So, we went to have a look.

Time slot 

On a warm Saturday in May, we left curiously about this Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. We had reserved a time slot via the website. We were able to park immediately and walk to the entrance of the complex, where we showed our QR code. It was teeming with Hindus, who dressed in the most beautiful robes and, like us, visited the mandir. We had to go through a security check and our children were asked to wrap a long scarf around their half-bare legs.

Bridge of friendship

The seed for this mandir, which symbolizes interfaith harmony and good relations between the UAE and India, was already planted in 1997. In the desert of Sharjah, the late Pramukh Swami Maharaj, president of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), envisions a mandir in Abu Dhabi. It was supposed to bring both countries, cultures and religions closer together, as 'a bridge of friendship'. In 2015, Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, donated 27 hectares of land for the mandir. Construction of the mandir began in 2019.

Colorful crowd

Once on the mandir grounds, we walked via a walking route to the front of the mandir. Only then, we saw how beautiful the temple was, and the white marble square in front of it, just as beautiful. There was a sense of serenity, accompanied by the faint scent of incense and the soft sound of devotional chants. On either side of this rectangular square, several outbuildings, water features and gardens have been constructed and decorated with Hindu statues and bells. We were one of the few non-Hindu visitors among the colorful crowd. But nevertheless, we felt very welcome. We took off our shoes and walked slowly across the square to the steps of the temple.

Architectural wonder

The temple is an architectural marvel, a testament to the rich Hindu culture. The mandir (33 meters high, 80 meters long and 55 meters wide) is made of pink sandstone from northern Rajasthan and marble from Italy. Every facet of the Mandir reflects meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, from the majestic spiers that reach towards the sky to the ornate carvings that adorn the walls. Really beautiful! More than 200 volunteers from the UAE, Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, India and other Gulf countries participated in the construction. Therefore, the mandir carvings contain not only stories from Hinduism, but also stories from Arabic, Egyptian, Mesopotamian and other civilizations. It is the first stone Hindu temple to undergo full digital modeling and seismic simulation during the construction process.

Our mandir experience..

Upon entering the left side of the temple, we were expressly requested not to take any photos. The walking route in the temple is (always) clockwise. And as is typical of most temples, here too we noticed the presence of murtis (marble statues finished with lots of gold leaf) of Hindu deities surrounding the temple walls, depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and scriptures.

Usually there is one central god who plays the leading role (also in this mandir) and a number of other gods; There are 6 other shrines to admire in this mandir. The murtis contain many intricate details that seem to come to life under the soft glow of the chandeliers above.

Namaskara

We followed the crowd and started with the first deity on the left. We stopped at each deity we came across, held the palms together in a (traditional) 'namaskara pose' and bowed slightly. This is the minimum action to be performed for each image, as a respectful gesture. We saw many Hindus bow completely before the central shrine as a sign of respect and reverence. Throughout the mandir, we came across devotees engaged in various forms of worship, from offering garlands to lighting oil lamps and reciting ancient hymns.

Harmonious sanctuary

After the seventh shrine we left the temple and slowly descended. What a beautiful mandir this is, a harmonious sanctuary where everyday stress falls away to make space for new insights and spirituality. We ended our visit with a drink in the restaurant.

Useful information

• The mandir complex includes the traditional Hindu mandir, a visitor centre, prayer halls, exhibitions, learning areas, a children's sports area, thematic gardens, water features, a restaurant and a book and gift shop. Some spiers are still being worked on. Various festivals, educational programs and community initiatives are also organized there.
• Whether you are a devout follower seeking spirituality or, like us, a visitor eager to learn more about Hindu culture, everyone is welcome.
• Plan your visit: the visit to the mandir is free, but you must reserve a time slot here. The temple is open every Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
• Clothing requirements: Wear clothing that covers the body between the neck, elbow and ankles. If you do not meet the clothing requirement, you can borrow clothes from the mandir.