The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stands as the first Hindu temple in the Middle East, a landmark achievement spearheaded by the Shapoorji Pallonji Group. This architectural marvel, situated in the desert landscape spanning 27 acres on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, was made possible through the generous land donation by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
Initiated by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, renowned for its Swaminarayan temples worldwide, the Mandir represents India's rich cultural heritage and ancient architectural prowess. Adhering meticulously to age-old Indian texts and inspired by a lotus motif, the Mandir boasts seven spires symbolizing the seven Emirates of the UAE.
Pranav Desai, Director of BAPS, expressed gratitude to Shapoorji Pallonji for partnering in materializing their vision of a spiritual oasis, emphasizing the temple's role in promoting global harmony.
Shapoorji P Mistry, Chairman of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, hailed the temple as a testament to their engineering expertise and commitment to celebrating cultural diversity.
Incorporating modern technology seamlessly with traditional Indian architecture, the temple complex, accommodating over 15,000 visitors daily, features water elements symbolizing the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
Remarkably, the temple's foundation, a UAE record-holder for the largest single pour of unreinforced fly ash concrete, eschews iron and steel reinforcements in favour of bamboo sticks and glass fibre.
The temple's façade, crafted from 40,000 cubic meters of marble from Italy and 180,000 cubic meters of pink sandstone from Rajasthan, showcases the intricate craftsmanship of thousands of artisans and volunteers.
The Shapoorji Pallonji Group, with a legacy spanning 159 years, has left its mark across the globe. Notable projects include the Sultan's Palace in Muscat and recent endeavours such as Bharat Mandapam and Kartavya Path in New Delhi, Port Blair Airport, and the Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh.
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