Followers of Dharma (Hinduism) across the globe continue to grow. It encompasses and preaches numerous moral values, peace, culture and traditions that act as its founding pillars. One such phenomenal pillar and symbol of the Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism) is its temples. Hindu temples are not just mere places of worship but are also strong symbols of India’s ancient heritage and culture.
With the advent of the Narendra Modi government in 2014, the importance of temples has increased manifold. Hindu temples and their significance has been rejuvenated not just domestically, but internationally. There are a plethora of Hindu temples not just in India but abroad as well, such as Angkor Wat (Cambodia) and Pashupatinath Temple (Kathmandu), to name a few. Under the current regime, the focus is not just on reviving and re-developing Hindu temples developed in the history of Bharat but also on constructing and inaugurating them away from home.
Eminent Temples Built Overseas
- BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir (Abu Dhabi)
This temple was built by the Swaminarayan Sampradaya and was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in the UAE. The temple foundations and structure were built from pink sandstones from Northern Rajasthan. There is no use of steel and iron. The temple has been built as per traditional Indian temple architecture. On April 20, 2019, the foundation stone was laid, and the ceremony was performed in the presence of hundreds of members of the Indian Community. The Vedic rituals were performed in the presence of Mahant Swami Maharaj. - Akshardham Temple (New Jersey)
This temple is located in Robbinsville, New Jersey (USA). This temple was opened to the public for the first time on August 10, 2014. The temple (mandir) was built according to “Shilpa Shastra”-Indian Temple Architecture. The shrine has idols of other Hindu deities, such as Ganapati, Ram-Darbar Hanuman, Shiva-Parvati and Radha Krishna. - Dubai Hindu Temple
This temple is located in Jebel Ali Village in the UAE. It is the most recent Hindu temple to be built in the Arab World. The Majestic White Temple features intricate marble carvings, tall spires, ornate pillars and Impressive lattice screens. It houses sixteen deities, including Bhagwan Guruvayurappan (Bhagwan Krishna worshipped in Kerela), Bhagwan Ayyapan and Bhagwan Shiva. - Shrinathji Temple (Bahrain)
In 2019, PM Modi launched a multi-million-dollar renovation project for the Shrinathji Temple in Bahrain’s Manama. Although the temple is 200 years old, the renovation will transform it into a three-storeyed building. The presiding deity of this temple is Shrinathji (a form of Bhagwan Krishna) worshipped by the Pushtimarg sect, prevalent in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Cultural Significance
The inauguration, construction and renovations of Hindu temples abroad is a landmark achievement in strengthening and proliferating the ancient heritage and traditions of India to the entire globe. These temples are a symbol and a living testimony that propagates and disseminates knowledge of Indian culture and architecture to other countries and their respective citizens. The Hindu temple architecture reflects a synthesis of arts, the ideals of dharma, beliefs, values and the cherished under Hinduism. There are several varieties of Indian Architecture, Vaastu Shastra, Kalinga architecture, Hemadpanti architecture, Dravidian and Nagara architecture which are not known to citizens across continents, visiting such temples can enlighten people and help them know better about Bharat.
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