Sheikh Abdullah reviews progress of temple construction

Our Correspondent

To check on the progress of the first traditional Hindu temple coming up in Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, met with Pujya Brahmavihari Swami of BAPS and Ambassador of India Pavan Kapoor.

BAPS is a Gujarat-based social and spiritual organisation serving the Hindu community in the UAE. The BAPS Hindu Mandir, expected to be ready in 2022, is “a project of global harmony that will regenerate faith and hope, celebrating the unique friendship of India and the UAE and their dedication to progress and peace.”

The one-hour meeting was held against the background of sunset in the deserts of Al Ain. On behalf of Mahant Swami Maharaj, a golden memento of the temple’s tower was gifted to Sheikh Abdullah.

The foundation stone of the temple was laid in April last year and work started in December. The temple will have seven towers representing the seven emirates of the UAE; it will come up on a 14-acre piece of land at Abu Mureikhah in Al Rahba area on the Abu Dhabi-Sweihan-Al Ain Road, close to the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway. Its construction is expected to cost a minimum of AED 400 million.

The temple will have the traditional ancient stone architecture used for religious buildings in India. It will be the first such Hindu temple in the Middle East. Pink sandstones from Rajasthan capable of withstanding desert heat will be used in its construction. The columns will be carved in India and shipped to the UAE.

The organisation thanked the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who had donated the land for the temple, for his vision and commitment for a more inclusive, peaceful and harmonious future. Right now, there is only a Hindu mandir in Bur Dubai, Dubai.

It was during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to the UAE in 2015 that the decision to build the temple was taken. On another visit in February 2018, Modi attended the stone laying ceremony via live stream from Dubai Opera House.