The UAE's first Hindu stone temple, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14, was opened to the general public on Friday.
The temple, built by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), would be open from 9 am to 8 pm on all days except Monday when it would be closed for visitors.
The temple authorities have put out detailed guidelines for visitors, including what type of clothing is preferred and what is banned, rules for photography etc.
As per the dress code, devotees should wear clothes that cover the area of the body between the neck, the elbow, and the ankles. Caps, T-shirts, clothing articles with offensive designs, and translucent or tight-fitting clothing are not allowed.
Devotees should also avoid clothing articles and accessories that make distracting noises or reflections.
“Visitors whose attire does not follow these guidelines or is deemed inappropriate by our staff may be denied entry,” the authorities said.
Image source: mandir.ae
As per the guidelines, photography and filming on mobile devices at the BAPS Mandir are allowed for personal and non-commercial use only.
“Photography with cameras for private, commercial or journalistic purposes is only allowed with prior permission,” they said.
The grand temple was built on a 27-acre site in Abu Mureikhah, near Al Rahba, off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, at a cost of around Rs 700 crore.
The land for the temple was donated by the UAE government.
