The recently opened BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month, has now opened its doors to the public. The temple’s official website has issued a comprehensive set of guidelines outlining the dress code and rules regarding photography within the temple premises. In addition to detailing the permitted and prohibited types of clothing, the guidelines also emphasize the prohibition of pets and drones on the temple grounds.
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining a tranquil atmosphere and orderly management of the premises, the temple authorities have stressed the necessity of adhering to these guidelines. Visitors are instructed to cover the area of their bodies between the neck, elbow, and ankles, while avoiding clothing with offensive designs, translucent or tight-fitting garments, as well as accessories that produce distracting noises or reflections.
The opening of the BAPS Hindu temple marks a significant milestone in the religious landscape of Abu Dhabi. Situated on a sprawling 27-acre site in Abu Mureikhah near Al Rahba, the temple represents a monumental architectural endeavor by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). Constructed at a cost of nearly Rs 700 crore, the temple is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance of Hinduism in the region.
Designed in the Nagara style of architecture and crafted from sandstone and marble, the BAPS Hindu temple stands as a majestic symbol of faith and devotion. Its inauguration ceremony on February 14, attended by over 5,000 people, marked a historic moment in the cultural exchange between India and the UAE. As the largest Hindu temple in the Gulf region, the BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi joins the ranks of three other Hindu temples located in Dubai, further enriching the religious diversity and cultural fabric of the UAE.