Abu Dhabi Temple Opens Doors For Public, Authorities Issue Guidelines on What to Wear
Hindu monks walk down the stairs of the first stone-built Hindu temple in Abu Mureikha, 40 kms, 25 miles, northeast of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (File image: AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
The temple would be open from 9 am to 8 pm on all days, except Monday when it will be closed for visitors
Unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14, the UAE’s first Hindu stone temple opened its doors to the public on Friday.
Constructed by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), the temple is situated on a 27-acre site in Abu Mureikhah, near Al Rahba, along the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, with an estimated cost of around Rs 700 crore.
“The wait is over! #AbuDhabiMandir is now open for all visitors and worshipers,” BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, who runs the temple in Abu Dhabi, announced on a social media post on X.
The post also mentioned that the temple would be open from 9 am to 8 pm on all days, except Monday when it will be closed for visitors.
The temple website (https://www.mandir.ae/) provides detailed guidelines for visitors, including preferred attire, prohibited items, and photography rules. Adhering to these guidelines is essential to maintain the tranquil atmosphere and ensure orderly management of our premises, according to temple authorities.
Constructed with sandstone and marble, the temple follows the Nagara style of architecture, in line with the ancient principles outlined in the Shilpa and Sthapatya Shastras—the Hindu scriptures that elucidate the science of temple design and construction. With a workforce of at least 3.5 million Indians in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hosts the largest Hindu Mandir in the Gulf region, operated by BAPS. Additionally, Dubai houses three other Hindu temples.
The land for the temple was donated by the UAE government. A grand ceremony attended by almost 5,000 people marked the inauguration of the architectural marvel by Modi on February 14. Overseas devotees were allowed to visit between February 15 and 29.
With inputs from PTI.