Watch: First images of the final design of Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple

The temple management of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi have released the first images of the final design of the traditional stone temple and the hand-carved stone pillars that have been taking shape in India.

The visuals of the final design of the temple have also been released through a video that chronicles the progress of the temple right from the inception of its concept till the pouring of the UAE’s largest single concrete for the raft foundation of the temple.

The video shows a massive amphitheatre overlooking the shrine. Waterfalls flanking the steps to the entrance of the shrine, and water bodies circling the temple complex can also be seen in the video along with a library, a classroom, a majlis and a community centre have also been featured within the compound in Abu Mureikhah area.

The majestic stone front of the first Hindu temple coming up in Abu Dhabi will be adorned with scenes from Hindu epics, scriptures and ancient stories from India, as well as motifs popular in the Gulf countries.

The foundation stone of the temple was laid in April last year, and the work started from December. The design of the master plan was completed in early 2020 and optimised slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ashok Kotecha, BAPS Hindu Mandir spokesperson, stated that this is the first time the visuals of the final design have been released through the video and the work on the historic temple is progressing with the support of the community and guidance from the leadership in India and the UAE.

Kotecha also stated that artisans carved a whopping 25,000 cubic feet of stone in different sites in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The temple is said to be a replica of the Akshardham temple in Delhi and another BAPS temple in New Jersey, USA.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a model of the first traditional Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi in Feb 2019 during his visit to UAE.