Omkar Dattatray
The construction and inauguration of the first Hindu temple in UAE’s Abu Dhabi is not an ord144inary development. It signifies the confluence and convergence of Sanatan and Muslim culture and civilization and the grand temple is the standing symbol of harmony and indicates the doctrine of Sanatan Dharma and culture that whole world is but a one family .Prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi at the end of his two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates.PM Modi inaugurated Bochasanwasi Akhar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanastna (BAPS) Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi ,the first Hindu temple in the UAE .The temple is the proof of the combination of Hindu and Muslim culture and the evidence and symbol of universe being a one family .Ahead of the inauguration ,PM Modi offered water in the virtual Ganga and Yamuna rivers in the temple premises and then proceeded to offer prayers inside the temple .The temple is in fact the example of India’s Ganga-Jammni tehzib and its imprint upon UAE’s culture .”The BAPS temple will be an enduring tribute to the values of harmony ,peace and tolerance. ,with both India and the UAE share ,Modi said ahead of his visit to the Middle East nation .The pink standstone temple sits on a 27 -acre plot in Abu Dhabi ,making it one of the largest in the Middle East .While Islam is the official religion of the UAE ,the country is home to about 3.6 million Indian workers .Hindi-Muslim harmony and co-existence is the risen d’être of this Muslim country .The guest list for the inauguration ceremony at the temple included Indian government officials ,Bollywood stars and members of the billionaire Ambani family ,senior Abu Dhabi officials were also in attendance .Former Indian Ambassador to UAE ,Navdeep Suri ,said that it is a very symbolic day for the Indian community ,adding that it has been a spiritual as well as religious need for them. ”I think it is a very symbolic day for the Indian community ,for a large Indian diaspora that we have in UAE .For many years ,it has been a spiritual need ,a religious need for them .And I Know that in 2015 ,when the prime minister came here for the first time ,he put in a request to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed ,then crown prince of Abu Dhabi ,that it would be nice if some land could be granted for a temple construction .”he told ANI.Singer -composer Shankar Mahadevan also arrived at the temple and expressed happiness over the opening of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi .”This is an extremely happy moment for India and Indians all over the world .This is historic moment in our lives where we are going to witness a Mandir which is so magnificent and spiritual coming on the lad like Abu Dhabi ,Only our PM Narendra Modi can execute it.”
The temple is the standing and living testimony to the communal harmony and religious tolerance and diversity .It is also the best example of the religious convergence of Hindu, Muslim and other religions .The temple is the epitome of communal harmony ,a goal envisioned by both India and the UAE .The temple is constructed on 27 acres of land ,with 13.5 acres dedicated to the temple complex area and the other 13.5 acres allotted for parking which can accommodate 14,000 cars and 50 buses .The 13.5 acres of land was gifted by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan ,a Muslin king for the construction of a Hindu temple ,said a BAPS spokesman .What makes this temple special is the beautiful confluence of religions that led to its construction .The lead architect of the BAPS Hindu temple is a catholic Christian ,the project manager a Sikhs ,the foundational designer a Buddhist ,the construction company a Parsi group and the director comes from Jain tradition and thus the very construction exemplifies communal harmony and religious tolerance as different people of different religions have contributed to the construction of this magnificent and grand temple .As per BAPS ,Pramukh Swami Maharaj the 10th spiritual guru and head of the sect ,had envisioned a Hindu temple far away in the desert land of Abu Dhabi way back in April 1997.His vision was to bring countries ,communities and cultures together ,which aligned with the UAE’s initiative to promote cultural diversity and tolerance.
During the foundation stone laying ceremony in April 2019 ,Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, chairman of the department of community development ,said ,”Laying the foundation stone of the temple is reflective of the landscape of tolerance and pluralism in the UAE .”The camel ,a symbol of persistence ,commitment and endurance ,has been etched into the carvings of the Abu Dhabi temple while drawing inspiration from the landscape of the UAE .The temple has carvings of symbolic animals native to the UAE like camels ,oryxes and falcons .There are also 14 depictions of parables from Arabian ,Egyptian ,Mesopotamian and other civilizations .In May 2023 ,during a visit by ambassadors from 30 countries ,Akio Isomata ,Ambassador from Japan said ,”I see a philosophy of tolerance in the carvings”. Last month ,when diplomats from 42 countries visited the temple ,deputy Ambassador of the UK Jonathan Knight stated, ”So many different faiths coming together to build something that will last for generations .This combination and coming together of different religious people is very marvelous thing and reflects universal brotherhood and harmony .The temple is built in the traditional Nagara style and the temple front panel depicts universal values ,stories of harmony from different cultures ,Hindu spiritual leaders and avatars .The height of the temple is 108 feet with a length of 262 ft and width of 180 ft.
While the external façade uses pink sandstone from Rajasthan ,the interior uses Italian marble. The temple has two central domes ,the Dome of Harmony and Dome of Peace ,emphasizing human coexistence through the carvings of earth ,water ,fire ,air and plants .
There is a Wall of Harmony ,one of the largest 3D -printed walls in the UAE , features a video showcasing key milestones of the temples construction .The word harmony has been written in 30 different ancient and modern languages .In fact besides being a place of worship for Hindus ,the temple is the reflection of communal harmony and tolerance and it is really a confluence and convergence of different religions and cultures.
(The author is a columnist, social and KP activist).
