BAPS in Abu Dhabi Hindu temples: wonders of ancient architecture and modern technology

The BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, blends ancient construction methods with modern science and technology.

The country’s first Hindu stone temple has been built, equipped with more than 300 high-tech sensors to measure temperature and monitor seismic activity. No metal was used in the construction of the temple, and fly ash was used to fill the foundation. The temple was built by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha on 27 acres of land in Abu Mreikhah, near Al Rahba near the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, at a cost of approximately Rs 7 billion.

Both ancient and modern

This magnificent temple is built in the style of ancient architecture and creation mentioned in the Shilpa and Sthapathya Shastras, Hindu scriptures that describe the art of temple design and construction. “Building methods here are integrated with science and technology. More than 300 high-tech sensors have been installed on each floor of the temple to measure temperature, pressure and movement (seismic activity). The sensors will provide real-time data for research. If the Any earthquake in the area is detected by the temple and we are able to conduct research,” Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of international relations at BAPS, told the news agency PTI.

No metal was used in the construction of the temple, and fly ash was used to fill the foundations, replacing 55% of the cement in the concrete mix, reducing the temple’s carbon footprint. Madhusudan Patel, the temple’s construction manager, told PTI: “We have used heat-resistant nano tiles and thick glass panels to blend the traditional beauty of the stone structure with modern functionality. Considering the extreme temperatures in the UAE, even in hot weather, These tiles also make walking comfortable for visitors. Non-ferrous metal materials are also used in the temple.”

amazing numbers

As many as 1.8 million bricks, 700,000 man-hours and 180,000 cubic meters of sandstone were brought directly from Rajasthan – Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple features Nagara-style architecture, like the recently inaugurated Ayo Same as Tiyaram temple. According to temple volunteer Umesh Raja, 20,000 tons of sandstone fragments were carved in Rajasthan and then shipped to Abu Dhabi in 700 containers. “Not just the stone, many of the workers who helped build the temple over five years belong to Gujarat and Rajasthan. Even the marble quarried from Italy was first shipped to India for carving and then back to the UAE for interior decoration,” he added. 1.8 million bricks were used in the construction of the temple.

(Institutional investment)