On April 5, 1997, my guru, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, sat on the dunes of Sharjah and prayed for peace in the world. His words still echo. He said, “May peace prevail here and everywhere. May all countries, cultures, and religions grow closer, and be free of enmity and prejudice towards each other.” And, then, he said, “May there be a temple in Abu Dhabi.” This moment froze in time for us. This divine prayer was prophetic.
Many years later those prophetic words proved to be true. The president of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan generously gifted 27 acres to BAPS to create a traditional stone Hindu temple. The UAE leadership granted us land and permission, and their encouragement, support, and love can be seen throughout the project.
Situated in a desert, the BAPS Hindu Mandir is like a lotus blossoming in the sand. It will be a place from which interfaith harmony, community cohesion, righteous living, and global harmony will flourish.
This mandir is a story of hearts and minds. People came together to give a hand in building harmony. These are individuals who, after fulfilling their daily responsibilities, offer their time and skills to the mandir. Out of dedication and a sense of purpose, everyone involved is committed and contributes selflessly beyond their full-time roles. This is what elevates the BAPS Hindu Mandir, making it a living testament of community, dedication, and unity. They serve, they love. Herein lies the marvel that makes the BAPS Hindu Mandir truly special. This is not only a mandir of stones and bricks, but also a mandir of love, peace, and harmony.
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The [BAPS] mandir, Abu Dhabi, is a sacred space where individuals seek spiritual guidance and inner peace. It is a place where the community meets and greets, and is closely knitted together in prayer. Reviving 10,000 years of art, culture and values, the mandir in Abu Dhabi has been hand-carved out of pink sandstone and white marble by over 4,000 highly skilled artisans. By repurposing wood that would naturally be discarded on a construction site, the mandir has created environment-friendly benches, chairs, and tables. Built without steel reinforcement, and pieced together like a giant jigsaw, it is a wonder of intricate carvings and delicate designs. The human values, at its core, are just as beautiful, featuring timeless value tales of India and from ancient civilisations. Blending seamlessly with the world, the mandir celebrates the past, calibrates the present, and creates the future.
To truly grasp the essence of the BAPS Hindu Mandir, one must look beyond the beautiful architecture and towering structures. One must look at the volunteers, the community, and the people, to see their love and dedication―for a cause bigger than themselves, for a cause they hold dear to their hearts, for humanity, and for the future. The mandir in Abu Dhabi is truly a miracle. It is happening because of God’s wish. It will be a haven of harmony for one and all, which the world will celebrate.
Mahant Swami Maharaj is the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.