Abu Dhabi Hindu temple to open for prayers on February 10 next year

Marble and pink sandstone temple will be open to public for worship on February 18

About 2,000 artisans in India are making statues that will be fitted in the UAE's first hand-carved Hindu temple. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir

The work depicts Hindu deities and captures life in ancient times. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir

Skills, artistry and knowledge are passed down, with three to four generations of a family involved in sculpting. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir

Families in Rajasthan have, over several generations, sculpted intricate work for Indian temples. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir

Marble pillars are divided into four sections and then refitted at the temple site in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir

It takes four artisans up to a year to work on a single marble pillar due to the detailing and accuracy required. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir

Swami Brahmavihari, head of international relations for Baps Swaminarayan Sanstha, the organisation building the temple in Abu Dhabi, checks the stone work in India. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir

One section will contain tales of faith and harmony from other ancient civilisations from the Arab region to Africa and China. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir

It takes years of practice and dedication to master the skill to work on temple architecture. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir

Engraved with flower and nature motifs, the pillars are among hundreds that will feature in the temple in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir

Pink sandstone is being used in the construction as it can withstand the scorching summer heat in the desert. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir

The pillars carved in Indian villages are numbered as per a unique identification system and matched with a corresponding code when set in place at the temple site. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir

Elaborate carvings will decorate spaces below each of the seven spires of the temple to represent the emirates of the UAE and retell special stories of faith. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir

People from all faith and nationalities will be welcome at the temple in Abu Dhabi that aims to be a centre for interfaith harmony and dialogue when it opens in February 2024. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir

The first marble carvings are placed in the main area of the temple. Victor Besa / The National

The marble carvings are labelled with a number and temple area code for future installation. Victor Besa / The National

Intricate carvings at the temple represent the history and heritage of Hinduism. Victor Besa / The National

A sculptor at the Baps Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

When the temple opens in February 2024, visitors will see these pink sandstone carvings that recreate stories from Hindu scriptures. Victor Besa / The National

Carvings capture musicians with various instruments, including the flute, drums and the stringed sitar. Victor Besa / The National

The ground level and main prayer hall on the first level have been constructed at the temple site in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A discourse from the ancient scriptures is depicted. Victor Besa / The National

A stunning handcrafted marble and sandstone Hindu temple will open in Abu Dhabi on February 10 for prayers after four years of meticulous work by artisans in India and the UAE.

The National has confirmed that the temple will be inaugurated in a series of prayer ceremonies starting February 10 as part of a 'festival of harmony' next year.

The temple will be open to the public for worship on February 18.

The landmark white marble and pink sandstone structure already draws thousands of people from different faiths and nationalities who pray over and bless bricks used at the temple site in Abu Dhabi’s Abu Mureikha area.

More than 2,000 artisans have carved stunning pillars and columns in India’s Rajasthan state for the last four years for the first hand-sculpted Hindu temple.

At the temple site in Abu Dhabi, construction is underway with the ground level and main prayer hall built.

The second level is being readied for towering shikhars, or spires, to represent each emirate of the UAE.

Details of prayer services

The prayers on February 10 at 6pm will be open only to contributors who have supported the temple's construction.

The next day, February 11 at 10am is for prayers for couples who have contributed to the building of the temple.

Prayers for the statues of Hindu deities will be restricted to invited guests on February 14 between 8am to noon.

A two-hour dedication ceremony will be held on February 15. It will be open to the public and begin at 6pm.

The temple will then be open for worship to the public from February 18 onwards.

Spread over 5.4 hectares, the land was given to the Indian community in 2015 by President Sheikh Mohamed.

People of all nations and faith will be welcome at the temple being built by the Baps Swaminarayan Sanstha, an organisation that has supervised the construction of about 1,200 temples across the world.

Ancient construction techniques

Delicate marble and stone carvings have been fitted on the exterior embedded with stories from the lives of deities to convey messages of peace.

Once completed, the 32-metre high structure will be decorated with more than 200 ornate pillars.

Much like ancient Hindu shrines, the temple has been built without using steel, iron or reinforced concrete.

The layered compression technique involves using granite at the foundation, pink sandstone added as the next layer and finally marble work that lends it structural strength.

"Abu Dhabi will be hosting the biggest celebration of togetherness - the festival of harmony where art is ageless, culture is borderless and values are timeless," said a video on the temple wesbite mandir.ae.

"This will be the opening ceremony of the first traditional Hindu temple in the Middle East - the Baps Hindu mandir (temple) in Abu Dhabi which will be a spiritual oasis for global harmony.

"This festival will be a celebration that will bring the art, values and culture of India to the UAE."

The temple is located off the main E11 Sheikh Zayed motorway connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Millions of handmade clay bricks and a total of 20,000 tonnes of stone have been used with 5,500 tonnes white marble and 14,500 tonnes of pink sandstone.

Channels are being built on the construction site to replicate three Indian rivers with steps for seating that will overlook the structure.

Two parks, a community hall, a visitors' centre, an amphitheatre, food court, majlis, or welcome areas, are also being built.