Temple bells sound out across the desert, ringing out from the seven spires of Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu mandir that will be inaugurated in a grand opening ceremony on Wednesday.
Artisans complete last-minute polishing of sculptures inside intricately hand-carved pink sandstone spires and white marble pillars.
The architectural marvel built in the emirate’s Abu Mureikhah Cultural District is the Middle East’s first fully handcrafted traditional stone Hindu temple.
There are certain things that create history and this is the creation of history here in Abu Dhabi
Sanjay Parikh,
lead co-ordinator of the Baps temple project
The marble and stone temple has been in the making for the past five years, requiring exhaustive work by more than 2,000 sculptors in Indian villages and replicates construction techniques used thousands of years ago.
Artisans, architects, engineers and software experts have worked since 2019 to create a “tribute to harmony” that is also a symbol of the close friendship between the UAE and India.
Built on 11 hectares of land, the temple, constructed for Dh350 million ($95.3 million), will be inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.
Made by hand
Looking over the spectacular temple site that he helped build, sculptor Champalal Swarup is filled with pride.
“We have made this mandir [temple] with our hands,” said the artisan, 66, who picked up the skill watching his father and brothers work in a village in India’s north-western Rajasthan state.
“It takes years and years to learn. When I started there were times when all I could make was one small flower in an entire day.”
He has since travelled to Africa, the US, Canada and across India to build temples and points with pleasure to many pillars he had a hand in building.
He explains the dedication it takes for several sculptors who work for more than a year to complete a single pillar.
“You need patience and peace of mind to create,” he said. “I feel happy that when people come here and see all this, it has been created by families like mine in India.”
The UAE temple is among 1,200 the Baps Swaminarayan Sanstha organisation has built in countries from Australia to the US, supporting a revival of hand sculpting in India.
Sanjay Parikh, Baps head of procurement and design, has led the building of more than 40 Baps temples around the world and outlines the challenges faced.
“When we first started building the temples in the 1990s, there were not so many people available to build these mandirs,” said Mr Parikh who also heads a team of architects and sculptors.
“Many youngsters had stopped doing this work and had moved to the city. We had to work a lot to keep this art alive and to bring people back.”
Mr Parikh has travelled to mines in India and Italy to select the stones and marble for the project and regularly visited the villages to monitor the carving work.
Each stone block was marked with a unique identifying number and sent to the villages where the craftsmen lived.
“We realised that the best thing is for the artists to work near their homes rather than for years on a temple site,” he said.
“It gave them peace of mind, they can take care of their families. We have worked together to build an authentic temple that is inspired by ancient temples.
“Many people who come here may not know anything about Bharat (India) but coming here they will learn about India’s art and architecture.”
Creating history
Hours-long prayers are being held in the days leading up to the dedication ceremony on Wednesday and colourful carpets have been laid out on paths.
“There are certain things that create history and this is the creation of history here in Abu Dhabi,” said Mr Parikh, a civil engineer. "To be a small part of this makes me proud.
“We are already getting interest from people who want to see this architecture. Tourists will want to come and see the beauty of this mandir.”
Across the temple, elaborate engravings detail famous stories about the lives of gods housed within each dome.
Ageless tales of the victory of good over evil are drawn from Indian epics such as the Ramayan and Mahabahrata.
The engravings show the triumphant return of the Hindu king Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya and the defeat of a demon king Ravana.
Among the striking features are marble domes of peace and harmony.
An extensive frieze shows the phases of the moon, depicting the full moon at the centre and the crescent by its side to represent Hinduism and Islam.
Hindus consider the full moon as auspicious and for Muslims the crescent moon marks the start and end of Ramadan.
“The moons are together in harmony and this shows Islam and Hinduism in harmony,” Mr Parikh said.
It is just one of several unifying motifs across the temple.
The sculptures bring to life lessons on honesty and virtue from the Arab world, China and North America.
Decorative panels depict oryx and camels of this region along with elephants and peacocks motifs usually seen in traditional Hindu temples.
When entering the temple complex, visitors can ring a series of large brass bells and walk along waterways on either side that symbolise the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in India.
From a symbolic sand dune at the entrance to flights of steps that recreate river banks in India, it incorporates elements drawn from both countries.
“There are so many things that make this temple unique,” said Nishith Raval, senior project manager. “This temple brings both cultures together.”
Merging hi-tech with artistry
Much like ancient Indian shrines, the Abu Dhabi temple does not use steel, iron or reinforced concrete in the construction.
Each carved piece with its specific number code was shipped to the site in Abu Dhabi and placed alongside other units with similar identifying tags.
These were then fitted together like a massive jigsaw puzzle.
Using an age-old compression construction technique, stone and granite is used in the foundation, followed by the carved pink sandstone and topped with the intricate marble work.
More than 100 sensors have been embedded in the structure to monitor any seismic activity and provide live data for research.
This merging of hi-tech with hand carved artistry is another highlight.
“I can tell you that this temple will last a 1,000 years but how can I prove it?” Mr Raval said.
“The science we have used for this construction is based on the shilpa shastra, which means the building of stone structures in ancient times.
“Now with sensors capturing data and the load inside the structures, we hope to better explain this ancient architecture.”
Community halls have been built around the temple with space for a library, food court and the area is being greened for a play area for children.
The land was granted to the Indian community in 2015 by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed, when he was Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
“The Baps Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi serves as a spiritual oasis for global harmony that celebrates the past and recalibrates the future,” said Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of international relations for Baps.
“It is a timeless testament to the generosity, sincerity, and friendship of the leaderships of the UAE, India and Baps.”
There are two Hindu temples in Dubai – a small temple inside a building in Bur Dubai and a contemporary temple opened in the Jebel Ali area two years ago.
At the temple, hundreds of volunteers, such as Dr Lina Barot, are ready to welcome visitors.
“This temple will not just attract worshippers but also people who want to feel the peace,” she said.
“There will be people who don’t believe in any of our gods, and will not come to worship. They may not be religious but when they come here they will experience a different sense of peace and spirituality.”
A live telecast of the dedication ceremony by Mr Modi can be viewed at gfrc6.app.goo.gl/UTRq
ENGLAND SQUAD
Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
Fixtures
Opening day Premier League fixtures for August 9-11
August 9
Liverpool v Norwich 11pm
August 10
West Ham v Man City 3.30pm
Bournemouth v Sheffield Utd 6pm
Burnley v Southampton 6pm
C Palace v Everton 6pm
Leicester v Wolves 6pm
Watford v Brighton 6pm
Tottenham v Aston Villa 8.30pm
August 11
Newcastle v Arsenal 5pm
Man United v Chelsea 7.30pm
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
One in four Americans don't plan to retire
Nearly a quarter of Americans say they never plan to retire, according to a poll that suggests a disconnection between individuals' retirement plans and the realities of ageing in the workforce.
Experts say illness, injury, layoffs and caregiving responsibilities often force older workers to leave their jobs sooner than they'd like.
According to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research, 23 per cent of workers, including nearly two in 10 of those over 50, don't expect to stop working. Roughly another quarter of Americans say they will continue working beyond their 65th birthday.
According to government data, about one in five people 65 and older was working or actively looking for a job in June. The study surveyed 1,423 adults in February this year.
For many, money has a lot to do with the decision to keep working.
"The average retirement age that we see in the data has gone up a little bit, but it hasn't gone up that much," says Anqi Chen, assistant director of savings research at the Centre for Retirement Research at Boston College. "So people have to live in retirement much longer, and they may not have enough assets to support themselves in retirement."
When asked how financially comfortable they feel about retirement, 14 per cent of Americans under the age of 50 and 29 per cent over 50 say they feel extremely or very prepared, according to the poll. About another four in 10 older adults say they do feel somewhat prepared, while just about one-third feel unprepared.
"One of the things about thinking about never retiring is that you didn't save a whole lot of money," says Ronni Bennett, 78, who was pushed out of her job as a New York City-based website editor at 63.
She searched for work in the immediate aftermath of her layoff, a process she describes as akin to "banging my head against a wall." Finding Manhattan too expensive without a steady stream of income, she eventually moved to Portland, Maine. A few years later, she moved again, to Lake Oswego, Oregon. "Sometimes I fantasise that if I win the lottery, I'd go back to New York," says Ms Bennett.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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