The iconic BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, the first traditional stone Hindu temple in the entire Middle East, was inaugurated last month (February) by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a grand ceremony.

The architectural marvel, located on 27 acres of land, was built at a cost of more than AED400 million ($108 million). It is an initiative of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, the institution behind several Swaminarayan temples across India and the world.

Shapoorji Pallonji Group, a major Indian construction and real estate conglomerate which built the structure that is expected to last over a 1,000 years, said the temple is a testimony of India’s culture and ancient architectural knowledge.

“Spread over 27 acres, the temple complex sits on 13.5 acres, with a parking area of 13.5 acres that can accommodate around 1,400 cars and 50 buses,” stated the builder.

“The height of the temple is 108 ft, it has a length 262 ft and width of 180 ft. While the external facade uses pink sandstone from Rajasthan, the interior uses Italian marbles. A total of 20,000 tonnes of stone and marble was shipped in 700 containers for the temple,” it added.

The temple has two central domes, Dome of Harmony and Dome of Peace, emphasising human coexistence through the carvings of earth, water, fire, air, and plants. The temple is open to people of all faiths. A Wall of Harmony, one of the largest 3D-printed walls in the UAE, features a video showcasing key milestones of the temple’s construction.