Artisans from India Craft Magnificent Sculptures for Abu Dhabi’s First Hand-Sculpted Hindu Temple

In a remarkable display of artistic skill and dedication, a team of two thousand artisans from western India are meticulously carving breathtaking statues, pillars, and columns for the very first hand-sculpted Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The artisans have been engaged in this artistic sojourn for the past four years, and their progress has been recently unveiled through a captivating video released by the Baps Swaminarayan Sanstha, the organization overseeing the construction of the temple in Abu Dhabi’s Abu Mureikha area.

Using the finest white marble and pink sandstone, these craftsmen are creating intricate carvings that narrate stories from sacred scriptures. These elaborate carvings, which serve as the centerpiece of the temple, are currently being meticulously placed at the temple site, with the grand opening scheduled for February.

The recently shared video footage provides a mesmerizing glimpse into the painstaking process carried out by these skilled artisans in Rajasthan villages. With meticulous precision, they skillfully chisel marble blocks, transforming them into stunning depictions of the sun, crescent moon, and revered Hindu deities like Ram and Ganesh. Gradually, the stone slabs come to life, revealing intricately sculpted scenes, including a herd of deer, musicians playing the flute, and traders leading camels through a vibrant market.

The clips from the video also showcase the artisans meticulously adding delicate finishing touches to intricately carved leaves, flowers, and trees that will beautifully adorn the temple’s framework.

These talented sculptors come from families with a rich heritage of sculpting works for Baps temples, with their expertise and artistic traditions being passed down through generations in the state of Rajasthan. They take immense pride in their contribution to the forthcoming temple in Abu Dhabi, knowing that their creations will be on display for all to admire.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir of Abu Dhabi is poised to become a true masterpiece, embodying the cultural heritage and identity of India. As the first traditional Hindu stone mandir in the Middle East, it will serve as both a sacred space for worship and a testament to the enduring connection between India and the UAE. The site is located at Abu Mureikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai–Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, and is scheduled to be inaugurated in 2024.