BAPS stands for Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, a global socio-spiritual Hindu volunteer-run organization that promotes social service, spirituality, and cultural values. Late in the 18th century, Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781–1830) revealed it, and his spiritual successor Shastriji Maharaj (1865 – 1951) founded it in 1907 based on the Akshar-Purushottam Upasana ideology.

The Swaminarayan Sampradaya considers Swaminarayan to be God or Purushottam. The Swaminarayan's recorded remarks and several old manuscripts provide BAPS adherents with attestation of their understanding of the Upasana. They hold that Swaminarayan is ever-present on earth and outline the procedures and routes that must be taken in order to break free from the never-ending cycle of rebirth. In addition to their many spiritual, cultural, and humanitarian endeavors delivered through a global network of 1100 sadhus and 55000 scattered across 5025 centers, the Sanstha has constructed more than 1200 Hindu temples across the globe. It has received many national and international awards and is affiliated with the United Nations.

Today, more than a million Swaminarayan devotees now start their days with puja and meditation, live morally pure lives, and regularly volunteer their time to help others. Their five lifetime vows are: no meat, no alcohol, no addictions, no adultery, and no impurity of body or mind. BAPS's humanitarian activities are based on a foundation of pure morals and spirituality.

Some Remarkable Facts about the BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi

• The BAPS Hindu Mandir is the only Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. It is also the first authentic Hindu stone temple in the Middle East. It is also the first to be constructed of interlocking stone blocks, a traditional method employed in the construction of several of India's most revered temples.
• The main temple is 54.8 meters (180 feet) in width, 79.8 meters (262 feet) in length, and 32.9 meters (108 feet) in height. It can hold eight thousand to ten thousand people. A visitor's center, exhibits, prayer halls, themed gardens, a kids' park, an amphitheater, a library, a sports center, a food court, and a gift shop are among the additional structures on the property.
• The architectural features include 7 shikars (spires) that represent the seven Emirates in the United Arab Emirates, 12 samrans (pyramidal domes), 2 ghumats (domes), and 402 pillars.
• The temple's construction cost amounted to 84.2 million USD, or 700 crore INR, excluding the value of the 27-acre plot of land it is situated on, which was gifted via royal decree by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the third president of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of Abu Dhabi.
• A substantial layer of sandstone that is only a meter below the surface was located during the geotechnical assessment that was carried out at the site of the Mandir. This layer serves as a sturdy foundation for the temple. Over 25000 pieces (weighing 2000 tonnes) of pink sandstone, a tough stone chosen for the exterior of the mandir due to its extreme heat tolerance levels (up to 50 °C which is common in the UAE), was delivered from the northern Indian state of Rajasthan to Abu Dhabi in more than 700 containers. The interior of the temple was built using 5 tons of Aqua Bianca, a type of milky-white Italian marble. Keeping with this heritage of nature-bound construction, no concrete, iron, or reinforced steel was used.
• 690,000 person-hours were donated to the project by 60,000 people worldwide. Over 2,000 artisans in Rajasthan and Gujarat meticulously cut blocks of Italian marble and red sandstone, which were then erected on-site in the United Arab Emirates.
• The ancient Hindu "Shilpa shastras," or Sanskrit architectural and sculpting manuals, were followed in the construction of the hand-carved temple. With 9000 figurines carved on 402 white marble pillars, the temple highlights the universality of faith by presenting 250 stories from various ancient civilizations, including Indian, Arabian, Mesopotamian, African, Chinese, Mayan, and Aztec. No two pillars depict the same design. Stories from the Ramayana, Shiva Purana, Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, and the lives of Jagannath, Swaminarayan, Venkateshwara, and Ayyappa are carved into each of the spires. The 'Dome of Harmony' and the 'Dome of Peace' are the two central domes of the sanctum sanctorum. The five elements that is shared by all humanity - earth, water, fire, air, and space are carved in the Dome of Harmony. The mandir also features carvings of creatures native to the UAE, like camels, oryxes, and falcons.
• The designs would be drawn out on paper, traced onto stone, and then carefully hammered and chiseled by the artisans. To put the labor-intensive technique into context, consider that a single pillar could take four artisans a year to finish.
• The temple is open to people of all faiths and religious views.

Highlights

·         Embark on a spiritual journey with this guided tour where you get to visit two iconic places of worship - Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and BAPS Hindu Mandir.

·         With round-trip hotel transfers and a guide by your side, learn interesting facts about both sites. Shop for some lovely trinkets at Heritage Village.

·         Admire the glass chandeliers inspired by the date palm tree and yellow golden leaf-glass mosaic of the Mihrab at Sheikh Zayed Mosque.

·         Marvel at the seven spires, the sparkling streams of water, and the 402 white marble pillars featuring flora and fauna designs at BAPS Hindu Temple.

·         Fun fact: The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is home to the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet, according to the Guinness World Record in 2007.

Know before you go

What to bring

• Bring a camera, sunscreen, and sunglasses for this experience.

What’s not allowed

·         Keep in mind food, tobacco, paan, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, coolers, picnic baskets, skateboards, bicycles, scooters, musical instruments, sharp objects, explosives, fireworks, flares, umbrellas, laser lights, gas and pressurized containers, flags with handles exceeding 1m and profanity or offensive images, beverages, chargers, battery packs, bottles, cans, thermal containers, pens, luggage, bags, smoking, and drones are not allowed on this experience. Pack wisely!

·         Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.

·         Photography is allowed, but not inside the Hindu Mandir and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

·         Strict dress code: Women must wear long, loose clothing that covers their arms, legs, knees and head, while men should also wear clothing that covers their shoulders, legs, and knees.

·         Guests should keep their tattoos covered during the Mosque visit.

Accessibility

• Your safety comes first. So, visitors with walking issues are restricted from participating in this experience.

Additional  information

·         Children must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian at all times.

·         Wear comfortable shoes as this experience requires a lot of walking.

·         Please note that round-trip hotel transfers are available from the following areas in the Dubai city limit: Deira, Bur Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, and Palm Dubai.