Baps Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi records 1.3 million visitors since opening in February

Officials prepare for surge in number of worshippers ahead of festivals including Diwali

A 12-minute film titled The Fairy Tale tells the story of the creation of Abu Dhabi's first Baps Hindu temple. All photos: Baps Hindu Mandir

The Fairy Tale touches on how the idea of the temple was conceived by a spiritual guru of the Baps Swaminarayan Sanstha on the sand dunes in Sharjah in 1997

The film weaves photographs, graphics, animation and 3D illustration to chart the history of the temple

The temple opens its doors visitors of all faiths and aims to reflect the UAE's example of respect, harmony and tolerance

Temple authorities are bracing for a surge in visitor numbers over the next couple of months

The film can be viewed in a small theatre on the temple grounds and is free to children under the age of 12 and people with special needs

More than 65,000 people were there on the first Sunday in March when the temple opened to the public. There was an inauguration in February by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pawan Singh / The National

The seven spires of the represent the Seven Emirates of the UAE. Pawan Singh / The National

Sculptors in Indian villages hand-carved the pink sandstone used to build the temple. Pawan Singh / The National

The temple has a central dome representing harmony to show co-existence with carvings of earth, water, fire, air and plants. Pawan Singh / The National

The Baps Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi's Abu Mureikha area has welcomed more than 1.3 million visitors since opening its doors in February, with authorities bracing for a surge in numbers as they launch a 12-minute 3D film mapping how artisans in India created the structure.

Titled The Fairy Tale, the film will be shown for free on the temple grounds for the first week, with worshippers urged to register to enter the temple complex.

“The mandir [temple] has remarkably reached one million visitors within the first 100 days – a little over three months – surpassing our expectations,” Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of international relations for Baps, told The National. “Despite the intense heat of 45°C, the temple attracts 3,000 visitors during the day and 8,000 to 10,000 on weekends.”

The temple authorities are also preparing to welcome tens of thousands of people over the next couple of months for the Hindu festivals of Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali.

“We anticipate further growth in attendance, especially during Diwali. Having celebrated major Indian festivals such as Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami and Ganesh Chaturthi, people feel a deep sense of belonging and genuine spirituality here, which further contributes to the increasing number of visitors,” he added.

The Baps Hindu temple touched one million visitors within the first 100 days of its inauguration by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the start of the year.

Film to inspire visitors

The 3D documentary will capture the efforts of hundreds of sculptors in Indian villages as they painstakingly carved pillars for months before it was shipped to Abu Dhabi. It showcases the strength of a community coming together from all over India to build the first Baps Hindu temple in the emirate.

Much like ancient Indian shrines, the temple does not use steel, iron or reinforced concrete in the construction. Using an age-old compression construction technique, stone and granite was used in the foundation, followed by the carved pink sandstone and topped with the intricate marble work.

“It is not just a film or a documentary. It is an immersive journey that unveils, for the first time, the temple's evolution from the first prayer on the sand dunes of Sharjah in 1997 to its grand inauguration on February 14,” added Swami Brahmaviharidas.

“The journey highlights the creation of the mandir and emphasises the theme of harmony and unity, showcasing how citizens and communities come together to see this project to completion. The overarching message of the experience is to inspire every visitor to become ambassadors of harmony, at home, at the workplace and in all other aspects of life.”

Satish Kumar Sivan, India’s consul general in Dubai, said the 12-minute film beautifully captured the temple’s story. “I am of the firm belief that India and UAE can together create a pathway for all of humankind to emulate. Let’s dedicate ourselves to spreading the message of peace because that’s the healing potion that the world desperately is in need today,” he said.

Surender Kandhari, chairman of Guru Nanak Darbar, the Sikh gurdwara in Dubai, said the film reflected the respect for all religions in the country.

“The Fairy Tale is nothing short of magical … a testament to the immense hard work and dedication that went into achieving this architectural marvel, a true wonder of the world,” he said.

“Every intricate detail, from the conceptualisation to the execution, has been meticulously crafted, creating a historic landmark that stands as a beacon of what is possible when human effort is combined with divine inspiration.”

Registration mandatory

A registration system continues to remain in place to manage the huge numbers, the temple authorities said.

The film will be broadcast for free this week at a small theatre set up on the temple grounds, with the viewing starting at 9.30am, and more sessions later at regular intervals. Adults will later be charged Dh50, while it will continue to be free for children under the age of 12 and people with special needs.

“We expect even more visitors with the introduction of our new feature experience, The Fairy Tale,” Swami Brahmaviharidas said.

Built on land granted by President Sheikh Mohamed when he was the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the temple is located off the main motorway connecting Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

The Baps Hindu temple is open to people from all faith from 9am to 8pm from Tuesday to Sunday. The temple is closed on Monday.