Abu Dhabi: The first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi is opening its doors to all from today, March 1. Gulf News can reveal the rules for visitors – what is not allowed in the temple and when it is closed for visit.
The BAPS Hindu Mandir, the Middle East’s biggest and first traditional stone temple, was officially inaugurated by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14.
International visitors
UAE residents had been urged to visit the temple from March 1 with pre-registration on a dedicated website and app. This was due to specially-themed events that were lined up on the days following the inauguration and a huge number of international visitors who had already registered to visit the temple during that time.
No more registration required
In a statement to Gulf News, the management of the temple under the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) – a spiritual, volunteer-driven fellowship that has built over 1,100 temples across the world, revealed that no more registration is required for UAE residents to visit the temple.
“The UAE residents do not need to register to visit the mandir,” the management stated. It also revealed the mandir will be open only six days a week for visitors of all faiths.
“The Mandir will be closed on Mondays. The opening hours from Tuesday to Sunday are from 9am to 8pm.”
What is not allowed
Volunteers and staff from BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha will be available onsite to help and assist visitors.
However, visitors are urged to observe the following etiquette. Entry may be refused if guidelines aren’t followed.The management also spelt out the things that are not allowed inside the temple.
No bags are allowed as there are no cloakrooms available, it said. Visitors are not allowed to carry food or drinks either. Photography inside the main mandir has also been banned to help maintain its spiritual environment, the management stated.
-Unaccompanied children are not permitted within temple premises.
-No vandalism, pets, or outside food/drinks.
-No smoking or alcohol including in parking.
-No touching sacred images and deities, writing or drawing on the temple walls, spitting or littering,
-No weapons allowed: X-ray scanners and metal detectors at entry to detect and prohibit knives and sharp objects.
-Bag Policy: Purses allowed, but no bags or backpacks inside temple premises. Leave them in vehicles.
-Avoid touching delicate artworks; maintain silence to uphold spiritual ambiance during rituals.
Mobile phone photography: Permitted only around the exterior of the temple. Phones must be switched off or silent inside.
-Use of drones needs approval from local authorities.
-Shoes: Must be removed at designated areas; special temperature- controlled tiles are installed for barefoot walking.
-Guides: Translation and interpretation services are permitted only under the supervision of the accompanying temple tour guide.
-Photography and recording allowed for personal use. Commercial/journalistic photography/recording requires written permission via press@mandir.ae.
-Wheelchair accessibility is ensured for those in need and priority access and assistance are offered to people of determination.
-Entry points are equipped with X-ray scanners and metal detectors to detect and prohibit dangerous objects such as knives, lighters, and matchboxes.
It said tens of thousands of people have already visited the temple.
“We have observed that thousands of people from wide ranging faiths are visiting daily and over 40,000 on the weekend. There are many facilities for visitors to enjoy, like the Orchard restaurant built entirely from recycled material and providing vegetarian meals and refreshments,” it added.
Festival of Harmony
Earlier on Sunday, more than 1,100 people took part in the ‘Palkhi Yatra’ – a grand procession of community members celebrating the cultural diversity at the temple.
Indian expat devotees representing north, south, east, west and central India participated in the procession wearing their traditional Indian attire and performing traditional devotional music and singing. It was the first time that such a pan-Indian procession had taken place.
The colourful procession marked the conclusion of the “Festival of Harmony,” a series of cultural and religious events held to celebrate the opening of the temple.
During the festival, the temple organised various events on different days dedicated to harmony, civilisation, peace and inspiration.
Various religious leaders, intellectuals and a lineup of eminent personalities from several walks of life attended.
Day of Inspiration
The ‘Day of Inspiration’ celebrated the pivotal role of women in uplifting society and their invaluable contributions to humanity. Organised and delivered by the women’s wing of the BAPS Hindu Mandir, more than 2,000 women of all ages attended and benefited from this special assembly.
Alongside the Festival of Harmony, BAPS Hindu Mandir also organised a blood donation drive in partnership with Aster Clinic with the participation of more than 500 visitors.
