From Ayodhya to Abu Dhabi… PM Modi introduced the world to the uniqueness and power of Sanatan culture.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last month consecrated the idol of Ram Lalla in the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya and now he has inaugurated the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. While he fulfilled the 500 year old dream of Hindus in Ayodhya, he also made the impossible possible in UAE, a Muslim country. Let us tell you that the initiative for the first Hindu temple to be built in Abu Dhabi was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The land for the temple was donated by the United Arab Emirates. The construction work of the temple started in 2019 and now its doors are open for devotees. In this journey from Ayodhya to Abu Dhabi, Modi has not only made the whole world aware of Sanatan culture but has also demonstrated the power of Sanatan. Be it Ayodhya or Abu Dhabi, the huge number of devotees gathered at both the places shows that not only the old generation but also the present generation is proud of their religion and culture and wants to connect with it.

What does the temple of Abu Dhabi look like?

You all know about the grand, new and divine Ram temple of Ayodhya, so today we will tell you how the first Hindu temple that has been inaugurated in Abu Dhabi looks like. Let us tell you that this temple has been built using scientific techniques and ancient architectural methods. Located near Al Rahba on Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, this Hindu temple built by Bochasan resident Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is built on about 27 acres of land. More than 300 high-tech sensors have been installed in this temple to measure temperature and monitor seismic activity. No metal has been used in the construction of the temple and fly ash (ash from coal-based power plants) has been used to fill the foundation. This temple has been built at a cost of about Rs 700 crore.

Let us tell you that this grand temple has been built according to the ancient style of construction described in ‘craft’ and ‘architectural scriptures’. ‘Shilpa’ and ‘Sthapatya Shastra’ are Hindu texts that describe the art of temple design and construction. Scientific techniques have been used along with architectural methods in the temple. More than 300 high-tech sensors have been installed at every level of the temple to measure temperature, pressure and motion (seismic activity). The sensors will provide live data for research. If any earthquake occurs in the area, the temple will detect it.

Let us tell you that apart from this, heat resistant nano tiles and heavy glass panels have been used in the temple which is a combination of traditional aesthetic stone structures and modern functionality. Despite the extreme temperatures in the UAE, devotees will not face any problem in walking on these tiles even in summer. Non-ferrous materials have also been used in the temple. Also, the sacred water of Ganga and Yamuna is flowing on both sides of the temple, which has been brought from India in big containers. A ghat-shaped amphitheater has been built on the side where the water of Ganga flows.

Let us tell you that on the facade of the temple, there is marble carving engraved on sandstone, which has been prepared from more than 25,000 stone pieces by skilled artisans from Rajasthan and Gujarat. A large quantity of pink sandstone has been brought to Abu Dhabi from northern Rajasthan for the temple. Also, more than two lakh cubic feet of ‘holy’ stone has been brought in more than 700 containers for the construction of the temple.

Additionally, the seven pinnacles representing the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), carvings of camels and the national bird eagle also offer a glimpse of the host country at the first stone Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. Let us tell you that there are idols of Lord Rama, Lord Shiva, Lord Jagannath, Lord Krishna, Lord Swaminarayan, Tirupati Balaji and Lord Ayyappa on the seven peaks. The seven peaks also represent the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates. The seven peaks are dedicated to seven important deities. These peaks underline the interconnectedness of cultures and religions. Generally, temples have either one shikhara or three or five shikharas, but here the seven shikharas pay tribute to the unity of the seven emirates. Let us tell you that the objective of these summits is to promote unity and harmony in the multicultural scenario. This temple, which will be a total of 108 feet high, will pave the way for cultural integration of diverse communities in the area.

It is noteworthy that to give equal representation to the host country, animals that hold important places in Indian mythology such as elephant, camel and lion, as well as the UAE’s national bird, the eagle, have also been included in the design of the temple. The camel, a symbol of perseverance, commitment and endurance, has been carved into the temple’s carvings, taking inspiration from the landscape of the UAE. The temple depicts 15 stories from India, including the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, as well as stories from the Maya, Aztec, Egyptian, Arabic, European, Chinese and African civilizations. ‘Dome of Peace’ and ‘Dome of Harmony’ have also been built in the temple.

Let us tell you that there are three more Hindu temples in UAE which are located in Dubai. But the BAPS temple, spread over a large area with amazing architecture and carvings, will be the largest temple in the Gulf region. The consecration of the idols in the temple started on Wednesday morning. Prime Minister Modi led the inauguration ceremony of the grand temple in the evening which marks the conclusion of the ‘Sadbhavna Mahotsav’ that started at the temple on February 10.