The BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi in the UAE, is a traditional Hindu mandir built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016) and murti pratishtha (transl. Consecration) consecrated by Mahant Swami Maharaj on 14 February 2024, this is the first traditional Hindu stone mandir in the Middle East and the third Hindu mandir in the UAE.
In 1997, Pramukh Swami Maharaj envisioned a mandir in Abu Dhabi, and in August 2015, the UAE government announced they would provide the land for the mandir. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, gifted 27 acres of land to the mandir. In September 2019 the mandir gained legal status and in December 2019 the construction commenced. The mandir is constructed from pink sandstone from northern Rajasthan and marble from Italy. The mandir stands 108 feet tall, 262 feet in length and 180 feet in width. Over 200 volunteers from the UAE, Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, and the Gulf dedicated more than 690,000 hours to construction.
The mandir symbolizes interfaith harmony, representing the UAE's and India’s good relations to foster understanding, acceptance, and unity among people of different religious backgrounds. Accordingly, the mandir carvings not only incorporate stories from the Ramayana, Shiva Purana, Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, and the lives of Hindu figures, but also stories from Arabian, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Native American, and other civilizations. The mandir complex includes the traditional Hindu mandir, a visitor center, prayer halls, exhibitions, learning areas, a sports area for children, thematic gardens, water features, a food court, and a books and gift shop.
Deities
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The mandir houses the murtis (transl. sacred images) of Swaminarayan, Akshar-Purushottam, Radha-Krishna, Rama-Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Shiva-Parvati, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Padmavati-Venkateshwara, Jagannath, and Ayyappan.
Thanks to Swamy Ayappan Sath sang
@SwamyAyyappanSathsanghSAS
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13 окт 2024
