Watch: First glimpse on site as Abu Dhabi’s Hindu temple takes shape

The striking place of worship will feature hand-carved sculptures and is expected to open by 2023

Thousands of workers in India and the UAE are laying the foundations for Abu Dhabi’s first traditional Hindu temple.

Construction is gathering pace on the striking place of worship, which will admit people of all faiths as a gesture of harmony.

In the capital’s Abu Mureikha area, hundreds of construction staff receive guidance on site from members of Baps Swaminarayan Sanstha, the organisation building the Dh450 million ($122.5m) temple, on how to make its bold plans a reality.

And in Rajasthan, 2,000 kilometres away, about 2,000 sculptors use chisel and hammers to carve figures of Hindu deities in sandstone and marble.

This is going to be a unique feature, which is going to revive 10,000 years of art and architecture

Their handiwork will be transported in batches from April to be assembled at the sprawling site, off Sheikh Zayed Road, like pieces of a giant jigsaw.

"The beauty or magic of this temple is not just the carving or the meaning behind the carving, but it is that it's being hand-carved by artisans back in India," said Pranav Desai, a volunteer at Baps Hindu Mandir.

“This is going to be a unique feature, which is going to revive 10,000 years of art and architecture here in the UAE.

“The temple will welcome people of all faiths from all around the world to help them understand the Hindu tradition, as well as celebrate the values of tolerance, peace and harmony among all the communities within UAE.”

By the end of this year, the temple will begin to take shape.

Head priests go through designs with contractors and workmen at the site of the new Hindu temple outside Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

Work on the extensive foundations of the huge temple is under way. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

While much of the building work in on site in the Rahbah area of Abu Dhabi, about 2,000 sculptors in Rajasthan, India are hand crafting figures of Hindu deities on to marble and sandstone. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

Pranav Desai shows the floor plan for the temple on-site. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

Head priests will remain on-site throughout much of the work to guide the builders. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

The temple is scheduled to be ready by 2023 and designed to serve the UAE's huge population of Hindus. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

Contractors talk through work plans at the temple, which is located just off the E11 highway, about 30 minutes outside Abu Dhabi city. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

Mumbai-based construction firm Shapoorji Pallonji was hired as contractors hired for the temple. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

Mumbai-based construction firm Shapoorji Pallonji was hired as contractors hired for the temple. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

Its exterior will have pink sandstone from Rajasthan and the interiors will be panelled in white Italian marble.

The temple and its visitor centre are expected to open by 2023, in the first phase of the ambitious development.

The vast complex, spread across 55,000 square metres, will include a large amphitheatre, a gallery, a library, a food court, a majlis and two community halls with space for 5,000 people. It will also have gardens and children’s play areas.

An additional 53,000 square metres will be allocated for two helipads and parking for 1,200 cars and 30 buses.

In line with traditional temple architecture, the structure is being built without steel or iron.

The Baps Swaminarayan Sanstha believes that steel corrodes stone and reduces a structure’s lifespan. Usually temples made out of stone last more than 1,000 years.

Another highlight of the temple will be its seven spires representing the seven emirates of the UAE. Baps priests said the temple will be a symbol of the UAE’s values of inclusion and tolerance of all faiths and cultures.

“Each of the spires will contain stories from the life of deities. The facade wall and the stairs of the temple will have cultural and moral stories from various countries around the world,” Mr Desai said.

“The flora and the fauna carved in the Abu Dhabi temple will represent God’s gift of nature. They will express the harmony between plants and animals from India, UAE and from countries around the world.

“The interiors of the temple will have stone tapestries, layered stone carvings, ceilings with pillars and special windows. The temple will also have a central dome through which the sunlight can stream in.”

Stone carvings for the UAE's first traditional Hindu temple are being readied in India. Courtesy: Baps Hindu Mandir

Construction is well underway on the UAE's first traditional Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: Baps Hindu Mandir.

Construction of the base of the UAE's first traditional Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi will be completed in April. Courtesy: Baps Hindu Mandir

Foundation work and tunnelling is being completed at the Abu Mureikha site in Abu Dhabi of the country's first traditional Hindu stone temple. Courtesy: BAPS Hindu Mandir

Stone carvings for the UAE’s first traditional Hindu temple are displayed in India. Baps Hindu Mandir

Plans for the Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi show a shrine with seven spires to represent the Emirates. Courtesy: BAPS Hindu Mandir

Stone carvings for the country's first traditional Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi are inspired from ancient Indian scriptures. Artisans have carved 25,000 cubic feet of stone for the temple in India. Courtesy: BAPS Hindu Mandir

A screenshot of craftsmen in India working on the columns for the Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: BAPS Hindu Mandir

Stone carvings for the UAE’s first traditional Hindu temple are displayed in India. Baps Hindu Mandir

Artists in India prepare drawings for the Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: BAPS Hindu Mandir

A screenshot of carvings for the Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: BAPS Hindu Mandir

Craftsmen in India work on columns and pillars of the Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: BAPS Hindu Mandir