The foundation work of the first traditional Hindu temple being built in the United Arab Emirates is almost complete and now the structure of the temple is being worked on.


According to the Khaleej Times, the foundation work is in the final stage at Abu Mureikha and will be completed next month. The UAE English publication quoted the project engineer of BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi, Ashok Kondeti saying that the foundation work has risen to a height of 4.5 metres from the ground level.


The team working on the historic project have poured concrete of around 4,500 cubic metres and backfilling with 3,000 cubic metres since January.


"I am monitoring the quality and progress of this project. We have observed that the concrete is gaining strength which is a good thing for the project. We are doing the backfilling layer by layer with sand available on site and there is no need to import the material from outside," Kondeti said, adding that the installation of pink sandstones and marbles will start from May onwards.


Kondeti further said that stones for the two tunnels in the foundation, have been received from India and the placing will take place next month. He noted that once the foundation work completes, the management will soon kick in the actual stonework in the month of May.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a >#ConstructionUpdate</a>: This month, <a >#volunteers</a> share the activities ongoing at the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. The base of the mandir is nearing completion &amp; preparations are being made to place its first carved stones in May. <a >https://t.co/5gvYxgm2cv</a></p>&mdash; BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi (@AbuDhabiMandir) <a >March 23, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


The stone work being done in Rajasthan and Gujarat mainly includes Indian epics Ramayana, Mahabharata and other narratives from Hindu scriptures and mythology, reflecting the rich culture and history of India and includes Arab symbols.


Earlier this month, the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), the organisation building the Hindi temple in Abu Dhabi, released a video showing the massive foundation of the temple taking shape.