Baps Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi records 1.3 million visitors since opening in February


Ramola Talwar Badam
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The Baps Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi's Abu Mureikha area has welcomed more than 1.3 million visitors since opening its doors in February, with authorities bracing for a surge in numbers as they launch a 12-minute 3D film mapping how artisans in India created the structure.

Titled The Fairy Tale, the film will be shown for free on the temple grounds for the first week, with worshippers urged to register to enter the temple complex.

“The mandir [temple] has remarkably reached one million visitors within the first 100 days – a little over three months – surpassing our expectations,” Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of international relations for Baps, told The National. “Despite the intense heat of 45°C, the temple attracts 3,000 visitors during the day and 8,000 to 10,000 on weekends.”

People feel a deep sense of belonging and genuine spirituality here which further contributes to the increasing number of visitors
Swami Brahmaviharidas of the Baps Swaminarayan Sanstha

The temple authorities are also preparing to welcome tens of thousands of people over the next couple of months for the Hindu festivals of Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali.

“We anticipate further growth in attendance, especially during Diwali. Having celebrated major Indian festivals such as Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami and Ganesh Chaturthi, people feel a deep sense of belonging and genuine spirituality here, which further contributes to the increasing number of visitors,” he added.

The Baps Hindu temple touched one million visitors within the first 100 days of its inauguration by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the start of the year.

Film to inspire visitors

The 3D documentary will capture the efforts of hundreds of sculptors in Indian villages as they painstakingly carved pillars for months before it was shipped to Abu Dhabi. It showcases the strength of a community coming together from all over India to build the first Baps Hindu temple in the emirate.

Much like ancient Indian shrines, the temple does not use steel, iron or reinforced concrete in the construction. Using an age-old compression construction technique, stone and granite was used in the foundation, followed by the carved pink sandstone and topped with the intricate marble work.

“It is not just a film or a documentary. It is an immersive journey that unveils, for the first time, the temple's evolution from the first prayer on the sand dunes of Sharjah in 1997 to its grand inauguration on February 14,” added Swami Brahmaviharidas.

“The journey highlights the creation of the mandir and emphasises the theme of harmony and unity, showcasing how citizens and communities come together to see this project to completion. The overarching message of the experience is to inspire every visitor to become ambassadors of harmony, at home, at the workplace and in all other aspects of life.”

Satish Kumar Sivan, India’s consul general in Dubai, said the 12-minute film beautifully captured the temple’s story. “I am of the firm belief that India and UAE can together create a pathway for all of humankind to emulate. Let’s dedicate ourselves to spreading the message of peace because that’s the healing potion that the world desperately is in need today,” he said.

Surender Kandhari, chairman of Guru Nanak Darbar, the Sikh gurdwara in Dubai, said the film reflected the respect for all religions in the country.

The Fairy Tale is nothing short of magical … a testament to the immense hard work and dedication that went into achieving this architectural marvel, a true wonder of the world,” he said.

“Every intricate detail, from the conceptualisation to the execution, has been meticulously crafted, creating a historic landmark that stands as a beacon of what is possible when human effort is combined with divine inspiration.”

Registration mandatory

A registration system continues to remain in place to manage the huge numbers, the temple authorities said.

The film will be broadcast for free this week at a small theatre set up on the temple grounds, with the viewing starting at 9.30am, and more sessions later at regular intervals. Adults will later be charged Dh50, while it will continue to be free for children under the age of 12 and people with special needs.

“We expect even more visitors with the introduction of our new feature experience, The Fairy Tale,” Swami Brahmaviharidas said.

Built on land granted by President Sheikh Mohamed when he was the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, the temple is located off the main motorway connecting Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

The Baps Hindu temple is open to people from all faith from 9am to 8pm from Tuesday to Sunday. The temple is closed on Monday.

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The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.

He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.

“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.

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HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon. 

With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.

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Tips on buying property during a pandemic

Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.

While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.

While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar. 

Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.

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Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.

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  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
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Rating: 2/5 

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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

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Tell-tale signs of burnout

- loss of confidence and appetite

- irritability and emotional outbursts

- sadness

- persistent physical ailments such as headaches, frequent infections and fatigue

- substance abuse, such as smoking or drinking more

- impaired judgement

- excessive and continuous worrying

- irregular sleep patterns

 

Tips to help overcome burnout

Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’

Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do

Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones

Find your form of relaxation and make time for it each day e.g. soothing music, reading or mindful meditation

Sleep and wake at the same time every day, even if your sleep pattern was disrupted. Without enough sleep condition such as stress, anxiety and depression can thrive.

Updated: October 07, 2024, 11:09 AM`