FROM BATU CAVES TO BALI, SEE THE WORLD A HINDU TEMPLE AT A TIME
▶ David Tusing rounds up remarkable religious landmarks as new site opens its doors in the UAE
Nearly six years after it was announced, Baps Hindu Mandir, the first traditional hand-carved Hindu temple built in the UAE, opened to worshippers this month.
The $95.3 million structure stands as a symbol of harmony in the UAE. The temple was inaugurated this month by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a visit to the UAE that included a speech at a stadium in the capital.
In homage to the UAE, the temple has seven spires, each representing an emirate. It comprises more than 400 white pillars, carved by artisans in the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. More than 20,000 tonnes of stone and marble were shipped to the Emirates over the past three years for construction.
While open to people of all faiths, the Baps Hindu Mandir will serve the UAE’s Hindu community of more than 660,000 and will hold between 8,000 and 10,000 worshippers at a time.
Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, or Baps, is a socio-spiritual Hindu faith group comprising followers of Swaminarayan, a yogi and ascetic believed to be a manifestation of the deity Krishna. Established in 1907, Baps has a million-strong membership spread across more than 3,800 centres around the world.
Here The National looks at other Hindu temples outside India that are worth a visit. Inaugurated in 2022, this community temple in Jebel Ali is the labour of love of Indian businessman and philanthropist Vasu Shroff, 82.
Blending Indian and Arabic architecture, the stark white temple stands out with marble hand carvings and metal latticework on the facade.
There are nine brass spires, or kalashas, on the outer domes, which are believed to draw in energy to the temple.
A corridor leading to the upper prayer section is filled with 105 brass bells. Spread over two storeys, the main prayer hall stands out with its large skylight from which a pink lotus sculpture is suspended, signifying peace. The 5,000-square-foot hall can accommodate up to 1,500 people at a time.
On the ground floor is a banquet hall, which can hold about 750 worshippers, while there is a multipurpose room for a further 200.
More than 900 tonnes of steel, 6,000 cubic metres of concrete and 1,500 square metres of marble were used to construct the temple.
▶ www.hindutempledubai.com
Baps Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Jersey
Spread across 74 hectares, this is the largest Hindu temple in the US and one of the biggest in the world.
Inaugurated last year in Robbinsville, New Jersey, the complex consists of the main temple, a smaller traditional temple, a space for gathering and reflection called the Nilkanth Plaza, a welcome centre, vegetarian cafe, research hub, museum and event centre.
The temple is named after Swaminarayan, while akshardham means “the abode of gods”.
Construction began in 2010 with the temple designed in the Nagaradi style using 1,900 square metres of Italian Carrara marble. Obtained from quarries in Europe then shipped to Rajasthan, the stones were carved by artisans, before being transported to New Jersey.
▶ www.usa.akshardham.org
Besakih Temple, Bali, Indonesia
Also known as Pura Besakih, this ancient temple is the most important place of worship for Balinese Hindus and a major tourist attraction.
While its actual origins are unclear, the first recorded mention of the temple’s existence comes from an inscription dating back to 1007, according to Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism.
Sitting at an altitude of 900 metres on the slopes of Mount Agung, the highest point in Bali, the temple complex comprises 23 separate temples, with the largest and most important being Pura Penataran Agung.
▶ www.indonesia.travel
Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu
Considered the oldest in Kathmandu, Pashupatinath Temple was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1979.
Built on the banks of the Bagmati River, the complex is spread across 246 hectares and includes 518 mini temples and a main pagoda house. While the exact date of its construction is unknown, the earliest evidence of its existence dates back to 400 AD.
The current main temple was built at the end of the 17th century to replace the previous one, which was destroyed by termites. The two-storey roof of the main temple is made from copper and covered with gold.
Only followers of Hinduism can enter the main temple, but the rest of the complex is open to visitors of all faiths.
▶ www.pashupatinathtemple.org
Batu Caves, Gombak, Malaysia
One of the most important Hindu shrines outside India, the Batu Caves are also a major tourist attraction known for their numerous cave temples, colourful stairs and a towering golden statue of Lord Murugan. The caves, in Gombak, Selangor, are believed to be more than 400 years old.
The main temple, which is nestled in the heart of the cave, was built in 1920.
The cave’s designation as a temple dates back to the 19th century when Tamil trader K Thamboosamy Pillai installed a consecrated statue of Lord Murugan.
A total of 272 steps lead to the main temple.
▶ www.malaysia.travel