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The UAE is a champion of inclusivity. While on one hand Saadiyat Island‘s Abrahamic House brings together a mosque, church, and synagogue, Abu Dhabi now has its very own Hindu temple. The BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi was inaugurated on February 14, 2024, and opened its doors to the public on March 1, 2024, marking a historic event in the UAE’s cultural history.
Everything You Need to Know About The Mandir
Docked close to Abu Mureikhah, the BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi is spread across 27 acres of land. A symbol of spirituality and magnificence, the temple is built of 1.8 million bricks and 180,000 wooden cubic meters of sandstone blocks, specially sourced from Rajasthan. As for the architecture, you’ll be blown by the ancient Nagara style carvings, bearing close resemblance to the Hindu temples from the long-lost eras. The seven spires rise to garland the seven Emirates of the UAE, each carved with forms of the Hindu deities in intricate detail.
The architecture of the temple seamlessly blends The Hindu and Emirati cultures. While on one side you can spot camels and the UAE national bird-falcon, the very traditional Indian motifs adorn the walls on the other side. In addition, holy water from the Ganga and Yamuna rivers flow on either side of the temple, symbolizing purity and spiritual sanctity.
In addition to spiritual significance, the temple serves as a community center offering a full array of services to its visitors. With its prayer halls, library, playground, and gift shops, the temple provides a complete range of facilities to serve all needs and encourage cross-cultural dialogue.
Lastly, this masterpiece of architecture took four years to complete. Over 690,000 hours of dedicated effort went into designing the temple, including its delicate stone carvings, ornamentation, paintings, and the protective casings on the temple facade and interior. So, make sure you leave the artwork, and cleanliness, be.
Opening Hours And days
You can plan to visit the temple anytime from Tuesday to Sunday- 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Note that the temple is closed on Mondays. The Ganga Aarti is performed at 7:30 PM from Tuesday to Friday (weekdays) and at 6:45 PM and again at 7:30 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
BAPS Hindu Mandir – Rituals and Events
The temple lets you experience the quiet and spiritual essence. As a symbol of peace and a cultural heritage site, it provides multiple facilities catering to occasions like family gatherings, religious or social events, or any community event. Every nook and corner of the mandir is purposefully built, genuinely taking into consideration the comfort of the visitors and ensuring that rituals are conducted according to culture and traditions.
Dress Code to Be Followed While Visiting the Temple
At the BAPS Hindu Mandir, respect for the space is crucial, which is why they have a dress code. Please refrain from wearing shorts, skirts that are above the knee, or sleeveless tops. Tight or transparent clothing isn’t allowed either. Additionally, headwear or clothing with bold designs or political messages is not permitted. If your outfit doesn’t meet these standards, security may have to turn you away. If you need something to cover up, you can rent a sarong at the front desk.
Guidelines While Visiting the Temple
First up, entry is free for all. However, when you visit, keep in mind that bags bigger than a purse, along with food and drinks, aren’t allowed. So, it’s best to leave your stuff at home or in your car. The site is gorgeous, featuring beautiful pink sandstone and stunning white marble, but remember that taking photos or filming is only okay for personal use. Just don’t forget to silence your phone while you’re exploring the area.
When you get there, you’ll have to go through entry points that have x-ray machines and metal detectors. So, it’s a good idea to leave things like lighters, sharp objects, and any smoking gear at home. This is a no smoking/vaping zone, and trespassers will face rigid consequences.
Location And Direction
Situated in the Abu Mureikha area, right off Al Taf Road (E16), the BAPS Hindu Mandir can be easily reached from across the UAE.
From Jebel Ali, Dubai, it’s about a 30-minute drive from the main island and takes roughly 40 minutes to get there. Alternatively, you could board a bus headed for Abu Dhabi from the Al Ghubaiba bus station in Dubai. You can then get off close to Al Rahba, and take a taxi.
From Abu Dhabi city, it will take you about 45 minutes to reach the BAPS Hindu Temple. Simply take the E11 Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Road that leads northeast towards Dubai. The temple is on this road soon after the Al Rahba area. You can also take buses that pass the Abu Dhabi-Dubai route, get off at a nearby stop and then take a taxi from there.
If you’re travelling from Sharjah or Ajman, you will have to switch a bus in Dubai and board an Abu Dhabi bound bus to visit the temple. After reaching Abu Dhabi, you can take a taxi to the temple.
Abu Dhabi Hindu temple – Tickets and Online Booking
Pre-registration is mandatory for all visitors. All visitors should pre-register one by one before they come for a visit. The entry pass holders should produce their pre-registered QR code at the entrance gate. The pass should hold the visitor’s personal details that will be checked against their personal ID. A thorough security check will be conducted once entering the premises. Priority to enter will be given to persons of determination. Wheelchairs will be provided on request.
If you don’t register, you will not be allowed entry. Please make sure to carry a valid government ID like your Emirates ID or passport with you for entry.
The temple provides a unique and serene experience for visitors visiting the capital city, where the ancient traditions of Hindu culture meet the multicultural spirit of the UAE.
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