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Maha Lakshmi Temple Abu Dhabi (BAPS Campus)
Temple
355 views
BAPS Hindu Mandir Campus, Abu Mureikha, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Added on Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Updated on Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Year Built
2024 CE
Period
Contemporary
Architectural Style
Built By
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
Patronage
Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence; global devotees
Material Used
Contributed By
Team InheritageAdded Nov 9, 2025
Maha Lakshmi Temple Abu Dhabi (BAPS Campus)
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Heritage Overview
Maha Lakshmi Temple Abu Dhabi (BAPS Campus)
The Maha Lakshmi Temple forms the southern devotional wing of the BAPS Hindu Mandir campus in Abu Dhabi, providing a dedicated sanctum for Sri Mahalaxmi-Narayana with a Vaikuntha-inspired sinhasan crafted from Italian marble, gold-plated lotuses, and fibre-optic constellations that mirror Abu Dhabi's desert night sky ([1][2]). Consecrated alongside the main mandir in February 2024, the Lakshmi sanctum offers a quieter devotional experience focused on prosperity, education, and wellbeing—hosting specialised Lakshmi Pujas for entrepreneurs, students, and families moving to the Gulf. The hall seats 600 devotees, features carved marble columns, and integrates digital translation kiosks offering arti lyrics in Hindi, English, Malayalam, and Tagalog. Daily schedule aligns with the mandir's 6:00 AM-9:00 PM operations, but the Lakshmi wing hosts additional Friday evening Ashtalakshmi satsang, Saturday bridal blessings, and quarterly finance literacy workshops led by community volunteers. Donors can participate in Navagraha homa, Kuber puja, or annadhanam out of the adjoining seva kitchen. A micro-museum displays stories of Gulf entrepreneurs whose philanthropy supported the mandir and documents historic trade links between Gujarat, the Malabar coast, and the Trucial States.
Historical Context
2017: UAE allocates 27-acre site; 2019: stone carving begins; 2023: Lakshmi shikhara completed; 14 February 2024: idol consecrated in presence of UAE dignitaries and Indian leadership. Since opening, the wing hosts business blessings, student orientation pujas, women’s seva circles, and financial literacy seminars with Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce partners.
Location Map
Visit Information
Visiting Hours
Daily 6:00 AM-9:00 PM; arti 7:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 7:30 PM; Friday Ashtalakshmi satsang 7:00 PM; Varalakshmi homa first Friday monthly; guided tours daily 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM (booking required).
Entry Fee
Darshan free; special puja bookings AED 151-751; financial literacy workshops free; annadhanam sponsorship AED 601; guided tour AED 50 (supports seva).
Best Visit Times
Visit mornings for serene darshan; Friday evenings for Ashtalakshmi satsang; Navaratri and Deepavali for alankaram splendour; cooler months ideal for garden strolls.
Official Website
Go to Official WebsiteArchitectural Highlights
Architectural Style
Period
Contemporary
Influences
Lakshmi-Narayana Worship, Integrated Mandir Wing, Digital Devotional Experience
Heritage Status
Part of BAPS Hindu Mandir campus, recognised by UAE as cultural tolerance landmark; highlighted in Year of Sustainability.
Preservation Status
Excellent; 2025 maintenance reports note immaculate stonework, polished sinhasan, perfectly functioning lighting, and high visitor satisfaction.
Conservation Status
Excellent; hall pristine, lighting responsive, kitchen hygienic; regular preventive maintenance scheduled.
Archaeological Survey
No archaeological survey information available
Featured Images
Citation References
No references recorded. Add citations to strengthen verification.
Restoration Work
Routine upkeep includes quarterly gold leaf inspection, biannual lighting recalibration, marble polishing, and kitchen hygiene audits.
Patronage
Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence; global devotees
Construction Technique
The Lakshmi sanctum shares the mandir’s stone masonry techniques: interlocking sandstone walls and corbelled ceilings. The sinhasan is carved from Carrara marble with gold leaf lotuses and gemstones. The hall’s flooring uses Makrana marble in lotus medallion patterns. Hidden steel frames support fibre optic lighting resembling constellations. Domed ceilings incorporate hand-painted kalam motifs referencing eight forms of Lakshmi. ([1][3])
Architectural Influences
Lakshmi-Narayana Worship, Integrated Mandir Wing, Digital Devotional Experience
Building Techniques
Construction followed Vedic stone assembly, with carved panels prefabricated in Rajasthan and assembled on-site. Lighting designers integrated controllable LEDs for alankaram; AV systems allow simultaneous interpretation and remote darshan. The seva kitchen uses induction cooktops for prasad, reducing fire risk. Queue management links to campus-wide RFID system.
Coordinates
24.616070, 54.731370
Accessibility Info
{"notes":"Pre-book via mandir app; security screening; modest attire; multilingual volunteers; stroller-friendly; shading provided; financial workshops require prior registration.","restrooms":"Restrooms near hall, nursing room, ablution area, filtered water, seating lounges.","wheelchair_accessible":"Ramps, lifts, tactile floor indicators, loaner wheelchairs, priority seating, audio descriptions."}
Visitor Facilities
8 items
Best Visit Times
Visit mornings for serene darshan; Friday evenings for Ashtalakshmi satsang; Navaratri and Deepavali for alankaram splendour; cooler months ideal for garden strolls.
Seasonal Events
6 items
Visitor Restrictions
Book slots online; no photography inside sanctum; vegetarian only; respect quiet zones; children supervised; arrive 15 minutes early for workshops.
View Count
355
Is Featured
Yes
Is Published
Yes
Completion Score
75
Completion Status
complete
Created By
b609c300-e3e9-42af-8d00-5125af139175
Created At
2025-11-09T08:07:32.164288+00:00
Updated At
2025-11-21T10:42:24.51649+00:00
Related Heritage Sites
What is Maha Lakshmi Temple Abu Dhabi (BAPS Campus)?
Maha Lakshmi Temple Abu Dhabi (BAPS Campus) is a historic Temple located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This Nagara architecture style, Maru-Gurjara architecture style, Mandapa architecture style, Lakshmi-Narayana Temple architecture style architectural masterpiece was built during the Contemporary period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of United Arab Emirates. The Maha Lakshmi Temple forms the southern devotional wing of the BAPS Hindu Mandir campus in Abu Dhabi, providing a dedicated sanctum for Sri Mahalaxmi-Narayana with a Vaikuntha-inspired sinhasan cra...
Category:
TempleLocation:
BAPS Hindu Mandir Campus, Abu Mureikha, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Abu DhabiPeriod:
ContemporaryStyle:
Nagara architecture style, Maru-Gurjara architecture style, Mandapa architecture style, Lakshmi-Narayana Temple architecture styleArchitectural Features
- 1Pyramidal tower (Vimana) with intricate sculptural decoration
- 2Rectangular sanctum (Garbhagriha) housing the main deity
- 3Columned halls (Mandapa) for congregation and rituals
- 4Ornate gateway (Gopuram) with carved figures
Key Features of Maha Lakshmi Temple Abu Dhabi (BAPS Campus)
- 1Nagara architecture style, Maru-Gurjara architecture style, Mandapa architecture style, Lakshmi-Narayana Temple architecture style architectural style with distinctive design elements
- 2Constructed using बलुआ पत्थर - Baluā Patthar (Pink Sandstone), संगमरमर - Sangamarmar (Italian Marble), स्वर्ण पत्र - Swarna Patra (Gold Leaf), ताम्र - Tāmra (Copper), प्रकाशिक तंतु - Prakāshik Tantu (Fibre Optic Lighting), प्रबलित कंक्रीट - Prabalit Kankreet (Reinforced Concrete), काष्ठ द्वार - Kāshtha Dwār (Timber Doors), showcasing traditional building techniques
- 3Built using The Lakshmi sanctum shares the mandir’s stone masonry techniques: interlocking sandstone walls and corbelled ceilings. The sinhasan is carved from Carrara marble with gold leaf lotuses and gemstones. The hall’s flooring uses Makrana marble in lotus medallion patterns. Hidden steel frames support fibre optic lighting resembling constellations. Domed ceilings incorporate hand-painted kalam motifs referencing eight forms of Lakshmi. ([1][3]) construction methods
- 4Part of BAPS Hindu Mandir campus, recognised by UAE as cultural tolerance landmark; highlighted in Year of Sustainability. providing legal protection
- 5Commissioned by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, reflecting royal patronage
- 6Current conservation status: Excellent; hall pristine, lighting responsive, kitchen hygienic; regular preventive maintenance scheduled.
What Makes Maha Lakshmi Temple Abu Dhabi (BAPS Campus) Special?
- 1Exceptional example of Nagara architecture style, Maru-Gurjara architecture style, Mandapa architecture style, Lakshmi-Narayana Temple architecture style architecture
- 2Royal patronage by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, reflecting historical significance
- 3The initial land allocation in 2015 by the UAE leadership marked a pivotal moment, signaling a profound shift in interfaith relations within the Gulf region. This gesture, culminating in the 2017 formal site allocation, laid the groundwork for the first traditional Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi, a historical precedent for religious pluralism in a region historically less accustomed to such public expressions of non-Abrahamic faiths. The intricate stone carving, commenced in 2019, involved thousands of master artisans from India, meticulously crafting elements like the Lakshmi shikhara, which was completed in 2023, reflecting a transnational collaboration rooted in ancient Indic architectural traditions. The consecration of the Mahalakshmi idol on 14 February 2024, witnessed by high-ranking UAE dignitaries and Indian leadership, transcended a mere religious event; it solidified a diplomatic and cultural milestone. This act formally enshrined a sacred space for the vast Indian diaspora, historically marking the successful transplantation of a living Indic tradition onto foreign soil with state patronage. The architectural fusion of Nagara and Maru-Gurjara styles, executed with materials like pink sandstone from Rajasthan and Italian marble, represents a unique historical synthesis, embodying centuries of craftsmanship adapted for a contemporary global context, thereby establishing a new chapter in the narrative of Hindu temple construction abroad.
Visitor Information
How to Visit Maha Lakshmi Temple Abu Dhabi (BAPS Campus)
| AEDEntry Fee | Darshan free; special puja bookings AED 151-751; financial literacy workshops free; annadhanam sponsorship AED 601; guided tour AED 50 (supports seva). |
| 🕐Opening Hours | Dawn to Dusk (6 AM - 6 PM) |
| 📅Best Time to Visit | October to March (Winter) |
| ⏱️Duration | 2-3 hours |
| ♿Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
| 📸Photography | Allowed (No flash) |
Complete Visitor Guide
How to Visit Maha Lakshmi Temple Abu Dhabi (BAPS Campus): Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Plan Your Visit
Check opening hours and entry fees for Maha Lakshmi Temple Abu Dhabi (BAPS Campus). Book tickets online if available to avoid queues. Best visited during early morning or late afternoon.
- 2
Reach the Location
Maha Lakshmi Temple Abu Dhabi (BAPS Campus) is located in BAPS Hindu Mandir Campus, Abu Mureikha, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. The nearest major city is BAPS Hindu Mandir Campus. Accessible by road, rail, and air. Use GPS coordinates: 24.61607, 54.73137.
- 3
Entry and Guidelines
Entry fee: Darshan free; special puja bookings AED 151-751; financial literacy workshops free; annadhanam sponsorship AED 601; guided tour AED 50 (supports seva).. Follow dress code for religious sites. Photography is allowed. Maintain silence and respect the heritage.
- 4
Explore the Site
Allocate 2-3 hours to fully explore Maha Lakshmi Temple Abu Dhabi (BAPS Campus). Key areas to visit include the main sanctum, pillared halls, and intricate carvings. Consider hiring a local guide for detailed insights.
Historical Timeline
Key Historical Events
Contemporary
Construction of Maha Lakshmi Temple Abu Dhabi (BAPS Campus) by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
20th Century
Conservation and restoration efforts initiated under Part of BAPS Hindu Mandir campus, recognised by UAE as cultural tolerance landmark; highlighted in Year of Sustainability.
2024-2025
Digital documentation and 3D scanning completed by Inheritage Foundation