The first Hindu temple that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday has been built using scientific techniques and ancient architectural methods.
Located near Al Rahba on Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, this Hindu temple built by Bochasan resident Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is built on about 27 acres of land.
More than 300 high-tech sensors have been installed in this temple to measure temperature and monitor seismic activity.
No metal has been used in the construction of the temple and fly ash (ash from coal-based power plants) has been used to fill the foundation. This temple has been built at a cost of about Rs 700 crore.
more than 300 sensors,
According to the temple authorities, this grand temple has been built according to the ancient style of construction described in the ‘craft’ and ‘architecture scriptures’.
‘Shilpa’ and ‘Sthapatya Shastra’ are Hindu texts that describe the art of temple design and construction.
Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of international relations of BAPS, told PTI, “Scientific techniques have been used along with architectural methods.
More than 300 high-tech sensors have been installed at every level of the temple to measure temperature, pressure and motion (seismic activity). The sensors will provide live data for research. If there is an earthquake in the area, the temple will detect it.”
Madhusudan Patel, construction manager of the temple, told PTI, “We have used heat-resistant nano tiles and heavy glass panels in the temple which is a combination of traditional aesthetic stone structures and modern functionality.
Despite the extreme temperatures in the UAE, devotees will not face any problem in walking on these tiles even in summer. Non-ferrous materials have also been used in the temple.
The sacred water of Ganga and Yamuna is flowing on both sides of the temple, which has been brought from India in big containers. According to the temple authorities, a ghat-shaped amphitheater has been built on the side where the waters of the Ganga flow.
The façade of the temple has carved marble carvings on sandstone, carved from over 25,000 stone pieces by skilled artisans from Rajasthan and Gujarat.
A large quantity of pink sandstone has been brought to Abu Dhabi from northern Rajasthan for the temple.
Vishal Brahmbhatt, who oversees procurement and material at the temple site, told PTI that more than two lakh cubic feet of ‘sacred’ stone has been brought in more than 700 containers for the construction of the temple.
The construction work of this temple is going on since 2019. The land for the temple has been donated by the United Arab Emirates.
There are three more Hindu temples in the UAE which are located in Dubai. Spread over a large area with amazing architecture and carvings, the BAPS Temple will be the largest temple in the Gulf region.