BAPS
TEMPLE - ART & CULTURE
News: PM Modi to inaugurate BAPS temple in UAE: Its special features, architecture, significance
What's
in the news?
●
During his two-day visit to UAE, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Abu Dhabi, the first Hindu temple in the
Gulf nation.
Key
takeaways:
●
The inauguration of the 108-ft high temple marks a significant
moment for the Hindu community in UAE, as well as for the two countries’
bilateral ties.
BAPS
Mandir (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha Mandir):
Location:
●
It is located at Abu Mureikhah, which is
near Al Rahba.
Architecture
Type:
●
It is built in traditional Nagara style of architecture.
Features:
●
It has an astounding 402 pillars, meticulously carved from 25,000 stone pieces.
●
The temple stands tall at 108 feet, being
crowned with seven shikhars (spires)
each representing one of the seven
emirates of the UAE.
●
Pink
Rajasthan sandstone, white Italian marble and 18 lakh bricks
was used in the construction of the temple.
●
The entrance of the temple is marked by eight murtis (idols). These idols
symbolise the eight values foundational to Sanatana
Dharma.
●
The Temple is surrounded by ‘Dome of Harmony’ and ‘Dome of Peace’.
Shrines:
●
The temple houses seven shrines, each
dedicated to different deities hailing from the North, East, West and South
parts of India.
●
These deities include Lord Ram and his
wife Sita, Lord Hanuman, Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati and children Ganesh
and Karthik etc.
●
Each shrine is adorned with exquisite
carvings. It reflects the life and teachings of their respective deities.
Inscriptions:
●
Stories
from ancient civilisations such as Maya, Aztec, Egyptian, Arabic, European,
Chinese and African are all captured in stone.
○
This is a testament to the interconnected
essence of global spirituality.
Eco-friendly
Architecture:
●
The temple has been built by using fly ash instead of cement to
reduce its carbon footprint.
●
Nano tiles have been installed with
designs to keep visitors comfortable even in extreme heat.
●
It has not used any ferrous material.
Go
back to basics:
Bochasanwasi
Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS):
●
BAPS is a socio-spiritual Hindu faith with its roots in the Vedas.
●
Its global network of mandirs and centres
hosts many moral, social, cultural and spiritual activities.
●
It was established in 1907 CE by Brahma Swarup Shastriji Maharaj.
Founder:
●
It is based on the Vedic teachings
propagated by Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830 CE).
Basic
Principles:
●
It follows No Alcohol, No Addictions, No Adultery, No Meat, No Impurity of body
and mind way of life.
Service
Approach:
●
It is also engaged in a variety of
humanitarian activities that include services in times of natural calamities,
primary schools, students hostels, hospitals, diagnostic camps, anti-addiction
drives etc.