With the Abu Dhabi temple in the background, more than 900 devotees participate in a yagna ceremony to pray for peace and harmony. Baps Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi
The Baps Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi will be inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir
The seven spires of the Hindu temple symbolically represent the emirates of the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
From left, Nishith Raval, senior project manager, and Sanjay Parikh, head of procurement and design, at the temple. Victor Besa / The National
Sculptor Champalal Swarup worked on the temple. Victor Besa / The National
Mr Raval on the ghats, or steps, that overlook the temple to evoke the feeling of sitting on a riverbank in India. Victor Besa / The National
Mr Parikh has been involved in the construction of more than 40 temples across the world. Victor Besa / The National
The intricate stone carvings at the Baps Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
Workers making the final touches to the carvings. Pawan Singh / The National
As they enter the temple complex, visitors can ring a series of large brass bells. Pawan Singh / The National
The pink sandstone carvings have been created by artisans from Rajasthan, India, and assembled like a giant jigsaw puzzle on the temple site. Pawan Singh / The National
Stories from ancient Indian scriptures have been brought to life in the Abu Dhabi temple that is set to attract Hindu worshippers and tourists. Pawan Singh / The National
The Baps Hindu mandir is in the cultural district of Abu Dhabi's Abu Mureikha area, off the main highway between Dubai and the capital. Pawan Singh / The National
More than 200 intricate hand-carved marble pillars form the interior of the temple. Pawan Singh / The National
The temple emerges from the sand. Pawan Singh / The National
Like ancient Indian temples, the Abu Dhabi mandir does not feature iron, steel or reinforced concrete in its construction. Pawan Singh / The National
Each of the seven domes tells the stories of the deities housed within. Pawan Singh / The National
Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and prosperity is depicted in one of the hand-carved friezes. Victor Besa / The National
Decorative panels depict the camels of the Middle East, along with the elephant and peacock motifs usually seen in traditional Hindu temples. Pawan Singh / The National
Prayers have been held in the lead-up to the temple inauguration. Baps Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi
With the Abu Dhabi temple in the background, more than 900 devotees participate in a yagna ceremony to pray for peace and harmony. Baps Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi
The Baps Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi will be inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14. Photo: Baps Hindu Mandir
The seven spires of the Hindu temple symbolically represent the emirates of the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
From left, Nishith Raval, senior project manager, and Sanjay Parikh, head of procurement and design, at the temple. Victor Besa / The National
Sculptor Champalal Swarup worked on the temple. Victor Besa / The National
Mr Raval on the ghats, or steps, that overlook the temple to evoke the feeling of sitting on a riverbank in India. Victor Besa / The National
Mr Parikh has been involved in the construction of more than 40 temples across the world. Victor Besa / The National
The intricate stone carvings at the Baps Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
Workers making the final touches to the carvings. Pawan Singh / The National
As they enter the temple complex, visitors can ring a series of large brass bells. Pawan Singh / The National
The pink sandstone carvings have been created by artisans from Rajasthan, India, and assembled like a giant jigsaw puzzle on the temple site. Pawan Singh / The National
Stories from ancient Indian scriptures have been brought to life in the Abu Dhabi temple that is set to attract Hindu worshippers and tourists. Pawan Singh / The National
The Baps Hindu mandir is in the cultural district of Abu Dhabi's Abu Mureikha area, off the main highway between Dubai and the capital. Pawan Singh / The National
More than 200 intricate hand-carved marble pillars form the interior of the temple. Pawan Singh / The National
The temple emerges from the sand. Pawan Singh / The National
Like ancient Indian temples, the Abu Dhabi mandir does not feature iron, steel or reinforced concrete in its construction. Pawan Singh / The National
Each of the seven domes tells the stories of the deities housed within. Pawan Singh / The National
Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and prosperity is depicted in one of the hand-carved friezes. Victor Besa / The National
Decorative panels depict the camels of the Middle East, along with the elephant and peacock motifs usually seen in traditional Hindu temples. Pawan Singh / The National
Prayers have been held in the lead-up to the temple inauguration. Baps Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi
With the Abu Dhabi temple in the background, more than 900 devotees participate in a yagna ceremony to pray for peace and harmony. Baps Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi
