Look: Hand-carved stone pillars for Abu Dhabi’s Hindu temple take shape

Stone pillars for the Abu Dhabi Hindu temple being inspected by temple priests at artisans’ worksite in India. The intricate carvings of the mandir range from figurines only a few inches tall to statues of many meters.

Stone tableau depicting a story of devotion. “The work on the historic Mandir is progressing with the support of the community and guidance from the leadership in India and the UAE. While navigating the challenges produced by COVID-19 and adhering to local best practices during the pandemic, stone work has continued in India,” said Ashok Kotecha, BAPS Hindu Mandir spokesperson.

The towering facade of the ground floor of the temple has also been revealed. Kotecha said artisans have carved a whopping 25000 cubic feet of stone in different sites in Rajasthan and Gujarat. “It is a substantial portion of the Mandir. The marble is from Italy, and the sandstone is from Rajasthan.” Above, stone pillars for the Abu Dhabi Hindu temple being inspected by temple priests at artisans’ worksite in India..

The latest rendering of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. Visitors will be able to see some parts of the temple with hand-carved stones from India before Expo 2020 Dubai. A cultural complex with an art gallery, halls, library, gym and more facilities, the 55,000 SQM temple will feature intricate architecture and delicate carvings that will re-tell ancient stories from Indian scriptures about peace and spirituality.

Man and nature celebrate life together. All of the figures are handcarved.

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

The temple designers are making efforts to include local traditions and symbols into the design.

Currently, Swami Brahmavihari Das, the head of the temple and BAPS international spokesperson, is visiting the UAE to oversee the next stage of the foundation on site in preparation for the arrival of the carved stones which will be shipped and assembled in the first quarter of 2021.

Arches, pillars and domes interlaced with motifs of peacocks, elephants, trees and flowers will greet visitors.

The towering facade of the ground floor of the temple. Last month, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Indian Ambassador to the UAE Pavan Kapoor had met members of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, the organisation working on constructing the temple, to review the progress of the construction.

Brahma Vihari Swami, Senior Saint, BAPS Hindu Temple, along with Pavan Kapoor Indian Ambassador in UAE, inaugurates the concrete pouring ceremony on 13th February, 2020.

An ancient story on the power of prayer. The stories and carvings include diverse portions of India’s geography and Hindu belief systems. This would include [epics] Mahabharata and Ramayana as well as the Puranas and regional histories.