![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KYDWXA4PGZDNFBF7EW4X3MYVA4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ff15037ca4394ebdcb5c05e16124488ae65234de817690aacab38d4172d4e4fc&width=400&height=225)
More than 2,000 sculptors in India hand-carved each segment of the temple. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ITZZHA5ADRHPPJHIE4PHDHNWJU.jpg?smart=true&auth=247c3dc4ccdae7438eebe730f36a365ecc7aed8c351074d15bcd1d8cc2690bd7&width=400&height=225)
The UAE's first traditional hand-carved Hindu temple is situated in Abu Dhabi’s Abu Mureikha area. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/25GXS6ZE35HPBIPONLZAXNLMR4.jpg?smart=true&auth=e1dc6fb452d135b23ff62462fbb2871166c1992f5fa1d76e744c5eb0177f0353&width=400&height=225)
Workers putting final touches to the Baps Hindu Temple. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6IW6PDGGYRAQLMTGTR3OGHHCGI.jpg?smart=true&auth=241367d7b27375a10c9b2f5f1dde6cb31e4e61c4aa1cedda2bac6862566665c2&width=400&height=225)
A water feature that symbolises the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in India. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7YTNBVVMKBEWFMT2ZZ73P7JWWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=41a83e57bf63b06ac50a8699b671c93863baf1fd6bec918b232254eeea0edf11&width=400&height=225)
Artisans have hand-carved more than 400 pillars, with each taking more than a year to complete. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VQ6ZPJ72W5HVJPXIH35CPEKEI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3722c1bd098994577c11177177b124264e72617d313a88f162e2614052656698&width=400&height=225)
Intricate carvings retell stories from ancient Hindu manuscripts. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GWFI44CFQVGKVADMWNB5DH6Z6Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=7291ac5082216b05459b8309278f491e623781458c23cb4e69b5e50ed8d93283&width=400&height=225)
Pink sandstone from India's Rajasthan state was used for the exterior of the temple. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W7PMNRR4CVAQLIJ6GGCE57ZOBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=93590a9348139669f6344248e4d31b954f146a7a838563eb54ba15237ea510af&width=400&height=225)
The soaring spires of the temple. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZXDAATIYBREITFZ26CILGZFRLU.jpg?smart=true&auth=67a09d17e42aeb53c6e389dc5c685bd5cf18b014f2bc71861e66160fde56780d&width=400&height=225)
The seven spires represent the seven emirates of the UAE. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JZ526MJ4PVAUTFHPKQ6AGXK3XU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f50c5dfefc093011c1f2b60af4446127d5df4a11f03d88d2e287bf7bd38ba60&width=400&height=225)
Workers polish a gold-plated frame, inside which Hindu statues will be placed. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T6EXF4AJLVACZESMCAWXLITTFE.jpg?smart=true&auth=98012626d0219e622c2031edbb1a1616024cc6a41c6b28e22247de27e9d836ad&width=400&height=225)
Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of international relations for Baps, speaking during a press conference in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7DERDYWDLBGD3M4MWMTPC4IQUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e9f036b40552a29fb4e164436678277135293d19a81c002a8b897a19d022598e&width=400&height=225)
Ambassadors and diplomats representing more than 40 countries visit Baps Hindu Mandir. Photo: BAPS Hindu Mandir
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RLC33OGETVENXM4Y6CQ24JWQDQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=3262857f0950fce9be0081dac094b9785174efef9bd64d3c6810ad6d0a086640&width=400&height=225)
The Baps Hindu Mandir will be inaugurated on February 14 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SE23L645JVFMFJA5VIBIYV5XGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4918379f9c1b20bf4dd8e59cff7b3eaf27ec59175a8572d8265e0093b69695cc&width=400&height=225)
The temple soars 33 metres high. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KYDWXA4PGZDNFBF7EW4X3MYVA4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ff15037ca4394ebdcb5c05e16124488ae65234de817690aacab38d4172d4e4fc&width=400&height=225)
More than 2,000 sculptors in India hand-carved each segment of the temple. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ITZZHA5ADRHPPJHIE4PHDHNWJU.jpg?smart=true&auth=247c3dc4ccdae7438eebe730f36a365ecc7aed8c351074d15bcd1d8cc2690bd7&width=400&height=225)
The UAE's first traditional hand-carved Hindu temple is situated in Abu Dhabi’s Abu Mureikha area. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/25GXS6ZE35HPBIPONLZAXNLMR4.jpg?smart=true&auth=e1dc6fb452d135b23ff62462fbb2871166c1992f5fa1d76e744c5eb0177f0353&width=400&height=225)
Workers putting final touches to the Baps Hindu Temple. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6IW6PDGGYRAQLMTGTR3OGHHCGI.jpg?smart=true&auth=241367d7b27375a10c9b2f5f1dde6cb31e4e61c4aa1cedda2bac6862566665c2&width=400&height=225)
A water feature that symbolises the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in India. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7YTNBVVMKBEWFMT2ZZ73P7JWWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=41a83e57bf63b06ac50a8699b671c93863baf1fd6bec918b232254eeea0edf11&width=400&height=225)
Artisans have hand-carved more than 400 pillars, with each taking more than a year to complete. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VQ6ZPJ72W5HVJPXIH35CPEKEI4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3722c1bd098994577c11177177b124264e72617d313a88f162e2614052656698&width=400&height=225)
Intricate carvings retell stories from ancient Hindu manuscripts. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GWFI44CFQVGKVADMWNB5DH6Z6Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=7291ac5082216b05459b8309278f491e623781458c23cb4e69b5e50ed8d93283&width=400&height=225)
Pink sandstone from India's Rajasthan state was used for the exterior of the temple. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W7PMNRR4CVAQLIJ6GGCE57ZOBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=93590a9348139669f6344248e4d31b954f146a7a838563eb54ba15237ea510af&width=400&height=225)
The soaring spires of the temple. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZXDAATIYBREITFZ26CILGZFRLU.jpg?smart=true&auth=67a09d17e42aeb53c6e389dc5c685bd5cf18b014f2bc71861e66160fde56780d&width=400&height=225)
The seven spires represent the seven emirates of the UAE. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JZ526MJ4PVAUTFHPKQ6AGXK3XU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f50c5dfefc093011c1f2b60af4446127d5df4a11f03d88d2e287bf7bd38ba60&width=400&height=225)
Workers polish a gold-plated frame, inside which Hindu statues will be placed. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/T6EXF4AJLVACZESMCAWXLITTFE.jpg?smart=true&auth=98012626d0219e622c2031edbb1a1616024cc6a41c6b28e22247de27e9d836ad&width=400&height=225)
Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of international relations for Baps, speaking during a press conference in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7DERDYWDLBGD3M4MWMTPC4IQUI.jpg?smart=true&auth=e9f036b40552a29fb4e164436678277135293d19a81c002a8b897a19d022598e&width=400&height=225)
Ambassadors and diplomats representing more than 40 countries visit Baps Hindu Mandir. Photo: BAPS Hindu Mandir
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RLC33OGETVENXM4Y6CQ24JWQDQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=3262857f0950fce9be0081dac094b9785174efef9bd64d3c6810ad6d0a086640&width=400&height=225)
The Baps Hindu Mandir will be inaugurated on February 14 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SE23L645JVFMFJA5VIBIYV5XGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=4918379f9c1b20bf4dd8e59cff7b3eaf27ec59175a8572d8265e0093b69695cc&width=400&height=225)
The temple soars 33 metres high. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KYDWXA4PGZDNFBF7EW4X3MYVA4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ff15037ca4394ebdcb5c05e16124488ae65234de817690aacab38d4172d4e4fc&width=400&height=225)
More than 2,000 sculptors in India hand-carved each segment of the temple. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir
Hindu temple will 'signify close ties between UAE and India'
Temple will be inaugurated on February 14 and promote peace among all religions and nations
![Ramola Talwar Badam](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5ef0cfa3-a931-4bee-a429-a6e926cfab98.png?smart=true&auth=8bd0c965d9bb14cf66195518e8cc461c939674357be28fde76d5e3597d39b95d&width=70&height=70)
Ramola Talwar Badam
31 January, 2024
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic