The United Arab Emirates’ first traditional Hindu stone temple will be established in February 2024, said a top envoy.
Sunjay Sudhir, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, is happy that in spite of the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the BAPS Hindu Mandir’s construction will be completed in a period of fewer than two years.
Sudhir stated during the ‘Mahapeeth Pujan Vidhi’, which is a religious ceremony to place the first sandstone on the temple’s second floor, “This temple is a story of love and collective aspirations of the people. It’s a story of harmony as different communities are involved. The temple will be opened in February 2024.”
Several residents partake in the ceremony led by Pujya Brahmvihari Swami of the BAPS Hindu Mandir on Friday, May 27. In his statement, Swami stated, ” Today is historic for a few reasons. Today (May 27) is the 130th birth anniversary of Yogiji Maharaj. Shikhars (spiral structures) will begin from here (the second floor). Those gathered here are remarkable human beings to have touched the Shikhar (stone) of one of the path-breaking Hindu temples in the world.”
Swami highlighted that 3,000 craftsmen constructed the temple under the management of 10 priests.
The temple is being built on the land that was gifted by Sheikh Mohamed. The temple’s foundation stone was laid in April 2019, and the work was initiated in December.
There will be five domes and seven spires. The complex will have a visitor’s centre, library, prayer halls, classroom, majilis, community centre, theatre hall, gardens, play areas, books and gift shops, food court and more amenities.
The temple will be the first such stone structure with over 300 hi-tech sensors embedded at ten different levels to give online active data of stress, temperature, pressure and seismic events for the next 50 years.
The temple is predicted to last a minimum of 1,000 years.