Marble, Sandstone From Rajasthan: All About Architecture Of UAE's First Hindu Temple, Set To Be Inaugurated By PM Modi

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the UAE's first Hindu temple, Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir in Abu Dhabi on 14 February, let's have a look at the temple's architecture.

The temple is made of marble and pink sandstone, a lot of which were transported from northern Rajasthan. Not just the stones, even the sculptures that are featured on the temple walls are crafted by Rajasthan's artisans.

Marble carvings using more than 25,000 pieces of stone have been crafted against a sandstone backdrop. There are two domes, seven Shikhars (spires) that signify UAE’s seven emirates, 12 Samrans (dome-like structures) and 402 pillars.

Each Shikhar has carvings depicting stories from the Ramayana, Shiv Purana, Bhagavatam and Mahabharata. The depictions also narrate stories of Lord Jagannath, Lord Swaminarayan, Lord Venkateshwara and Lord Ayyappa.

Heat-resistant nano tiles and heavy glass panels have been used to merge both traditional aesthetic stone structures with modern-day ones. To give a localised touch, camels have been etched into the carvings.

There is a ‘Dome of Harmony’ that portrays harmony of the five natural elements — earth, water, fire, air and space.  40,000 cubic feet of marble has been used for the temple's interiors. Italian marble has also been used.

The temple is built on a 27-acre site in Abu Mureikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway. Transworld Group, DP World, Dubai Customs and Mundra port have been instrumental in transportation of stones.