BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi

BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi is the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East, set on 27 acres in Abu Mureikhah, just off the E11 Dubai to Abu Dhabi highway. This listing is for a guided visit: a professional mandir guide, speaking English or Hindi, walks you through the temple’s history, symbols and hand-carved stonework, with entrance to the mandir included.

The story of the mandir

The project began in earnest when India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the temple model on 11 February 2018, and construction was under way by 2019. Modi inaugurated the finished mandir on 14 February 2024, which fell on Basant Panchami, after a consecration ceremony, and during his visit he inscribed the words “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” on stone with a hammer and chisel. The temple rises to 108 feet and was built using traditional techniques, which is a large part of what the guides explain.

What you see on the guided tour

The heart of the visit is the stonework. Guides point out the detailed hand carvings on pink sandstone and white Italian marble, and the different cultural symbols carved along the parikrama, the walkway that circles the mandir. The tour also covers other sites on the campus, which includes the traditional mandir, a visitor centre, prayer halls, exhibitions, learning areas, children’s sports facilities, thematic gardens, water features, a food court and a gift shop.

Two optional extras are worth knowing about: you can take part in Abhishek rituals to receive blessings, and you can try vegetarian food at The Orchard on the campus. Neither is included in the standard guided tour. To appreciate the site properly, allow at least 90 minutes.

Tour options: group, private and Behind the Scene

The standard guided tour is for individuals and families who join a group. Children below 6 join free, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Private groups of up to 30 people can book their own guide, and guides in other languages are available on request.

The Behind the Scene tour goes further into how the temple was made, including the chance to meet some of the people involved in building it. It adds skip-the-line entry, preferred parking, participation in the Abhishek rituals, a lassi with a plate of samosas, a discount at the Smruti souvenir shop, an “I am Harmony Ambassador” wristband and priority entrance to the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam show when it is running.

Dress code and temple rules

The mandir has a clear dress code: cover the body between the neck, the elbows and the ankles, and avoid translucent or tight-fitting clothing. Caps, T-shirts and other clothing with offensive designs are not allowed. Photography and videography are strictly prohibited inside, and visitors are asked not to touch the delicate carvings. Bags are not allowed because there are no cloakrooms, and you cannot carry food or drinks in.

When you arrive, show your digital or printed voucher at the reception desk of the visitor centre.

Planning your visit to BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi

Guided tours run between 9:30am and 5:30pm. The mandir itself opens to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday and is closed to visitors on Mondays, and online registration is mandatory for every visitor, so complete it as well as booking your tour. The temple has closed temporarily in the past, most recently reopening on 14 April 2026, and hours can change around major Hindu festivals, so check the official mandir website before you travel. The current tour listing runs until 31 January 2027.

Because the mandir sits beside the E11 between the two cities, it is an easy stop on a drive from Dubai. For more ideas, browse our UAE attractions and art and culture picks, or find more things to do in Abu Dhabi.