The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi has been honored with the Best Cultural Project Across MENA 2024 award. Additionally, it has received the accolade for Best Cultural Project in the UAE, recognizing its architectural brilliance, cultural significance, and positive societal impact. The MEED Project Awards, considered the benchmark in the MENA region since 2007, celebrate outstanding achievements in engineering, innovation, and sustainability. The awards attracted over 40 nominations, each representing groundbreaking projects across the region.
Categories for the awards span from education and energy to cultural and transport projects, highlighting the diversity and excellence of MENA’s project landscape. Upon receiving the news from India, Pujya Brahmavihari Swami, the Head of the BAPS Hindu Mandir, underscored the deep importance of the recognition. “These awards not only underscore the technical and architectural prowess of the BAPS Hindu Mandir but also the spirit of unity and harmony that drove its creation. This vision became a reality due to the generous support of President Sheikh Mohamed and the guidance of Mahant Swami Maharaj, who has ceaselessly advocated for love and inclusivity in the UAE, the Middle East, and globally.”
BAPS has constructed over 1600 temples worldwide, but the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi stands out for its intricate details and unique features, making it iconic and historic. The temple was inaugurated on February 14, 2024, under the close supervision of both Indian and UAE leadership, with several ministers regularly visiting the site to offer support to the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Built in accordance with ancient Hindu shilpa shastras, the temple features over 30,000 intricately carved stone pieces, showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage. It narrates key moments from Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, along with stories from Hindu scriptures and historical accounts, interwoven with Arabic symbols. Furthermore, it highlights 250 value-based tales from various ancient civilizations, including Arabian, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Aztec, and Indian traditions.
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