Have you ever wondered why the UAE is considered a zone embracing vivid ways of life, varied cultures, and different faiths? This is due to the multi-cultural facet of the Emirati land and the cordial hospitality at the place. In recent times, a Hindu mandir, referred to as the BAPS mandir, was inaugurated on February 14 in Abu Dhabi. After the opening ceremony was concluded by the ruling family here in Abu Dhabi, the location was allowed for public visitation from March 1 onwards. A huge rush of devotees was seen flocking to the Bochasanwasi Akshardham Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), located around the 27-acre plot along the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Several guidelines are provided below for individuals visiting the BAPS temple premises, and the important ones are portrayed for checking purposes.
Essential tips to remember before visiting the BAPS temple
If you are planning to go for the BAPS temple tour and cherish the holy programs then you should not miss it. Look no further and find out the important guidelines below to enjoy a cherished outing at the location.
1. Wear modest outfits
There are strict guidelines mentioned for visitors coming to the BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi. Some of them include the dressing style and the things to wear while visiting the premises here. You are required to wear modest clothing along with covered outfits to get entry to the temple premises. Jingling accessories or outfits are strictly prohibited and can cause distraction. Derogatory designs and bad remarks on outfits are not allowed on the BAPS temple premises in Abu Dhabi. You can also check about the dress code for Dubai trip with us.
2. Pets are not allowed on the premises
Being a place of faith and devotion, the guidelines clearly state that no animals or pets should be allowed on the temple premises. Pets may litter around the area, so it is advised not to bring any animals with us when visiting the location. Individuals who have their pets with them should keep them in the parking lot or in their cars to avoid any kind of legal proceedings for the matter.
3. Outside food and drinks are not allowed
The guidelines and norms of the BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi also state that we should not enter the temple location with outside food or drinks. This is because outside food may have distinct non-vegetarian items involved and thus should not be allowed inside the mandir area. There are food zones or “langar” areas where only “Sattvic” food is distributed to visitors around the temple zone.
4. Drones are not allowed to fly
Another important guideline detail etched across the temple premises suggests that you should not participate in flying drones across the mandir premises. Special permission should be needed in case someone wants a bird’s-eye view of the entire mandir location from the top. The local and government authorities are in charge of seizing the gadgets if they are seen utilizing them around the temple boundary here in Abu Dhabi.
5. Weapons and sharp objects are restricted
The BAPS temple is considered a place of worship, with devotees attending holy events and programs across the destination. For this reason, the temple authorities have come up with a decision to not allow any kind of weapon, firearm, or sharp object within the temple premises. Metal detectors and X-ray scanners are available to check each and every visitor for any harmful items found with them.
6. No Smoking Zone
If you are a frequent smoker and cannot live without smoking, then the BAPS temple may not be a great zone for you. The BAPS temple authorities have issued a notice that says visitors cannot smoke or use vaping items at the premises around them. Even the parking areas are restricted from smoking activities, with authorities scanning the entire region for any violators found.
7. Alcohol-free zone
As with the no smoking rules at the location, you are also not allowed to drink or carry alcohol around the BAPS mandir location. It is a place of worship and faith, and thus intoxicating substances are strictly restricted around the zone here. Carrying alcohol around the temple premises can be a punishable offense that can impose a jail term for the visitors as well.
8. Remove shoes before entering
All Hindu temples around the world have the proper norm of removing shoes before entering the temple premises. Similarly, the BAPS temple has designated shoe areas where you can keep your shoes away before venturing inside the temple zone. The floor tiles also have a temperature-control property that helps with easy barefoot walking across the temple region.
9. Restricted phone use on the premises
The guidelines for the BAPS temple also state that you should click pictures and videos of the interiors of the BAPS temple location. Eventually, clicking pictures and taking selfies are allowed on the mandir exteriors but are completely restricted within the temple interiors for safety purposes. If someone is found clicking pictures within the mandir complex without any special permission, then that individual may be prosecuted with legal proceedings here.
10. Be quiet and do not touch the art forms
Another important rule to check before visiting the BAPS temple is that visitors should keep silent and have a soft interaction along the temple zone. As the place is conducting events and ceremonies for devotional purposes, it is required to stay quiet and silent during the time. Moreover, the paintings, sculptures, and art forms are not allowed to be touched here along the BAPS temple area in Abu Dhabi.
11. Vandalizing property is not entertained
The BAPS temple region has authorities on the lookout for vandals and mischief makers along the location. If you are found writing and scribbling over the property region, then legal charges should be slapped on the individuals in such cases. It is necessary to avoid such activities when visiting the temple zone in Abu Dhabi.
In a Nutshell
Thus, if you are looking to visit the BAPS temple premises, then it is important to check the aforesaid tips mentioned above for visitors. All rules and regulations should be properly followed by the visitors here, without which there can be chances of law and legal proceedings involved in the matter.
