Abu Dhabi’s BAPS Hindu Mandir Wins Prestigious MONDO-DR 2025 Award, Dubbed the ‘Oscars of AV’

Abu Dhabi’s BAPS Hindu Mandir Wins Prestigious MONDO-DR 2025 Award for ‘The Fairy Tale’ Immersive Experience.

Abu Dhabi’s BAPS Hindu Mandir has been honoured with the 2025 MONDO-DR Award in the ‘House of Worship’ category for its immersive show, The Fairy Tale. Often described as the “Oscars of the AV world,” the MONDO-DR Awards celebrate global excellence in audio-visual integration across entertainment venues, architectural landmarks, and cultural spaces.

The accolade positions the Mandir not only as a spiritual and architectural landmark but also as a benchmark in technology-driven immersive experiences in sacred spaces. According to the temple, winning a MONDO-DR Award is akin to receiving an Academy Award in film—a recognition of technical mastery, peer acknowledgment, and global excellence.

“This recognition highlights the unmatched integration quality, technical precision, and cultural sensitivity achieved in the BAPS Hindu Mandir project,” the Mandir said.

A First-of-Its-Kind Temple in the Middle East

As the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East, the BAPS Mandir embodies peace, harmony, and now, through its sophisticated AV implementation, innovation on a global scale. The immersive show seamlessly integrates with the temple’s architecture, acoustics, and ceremonial fabric, creating a spiritual, technology-enriched experience.

The award-winning audio-visual system was developed by a global team of AV consultants, lighting designers, acoustic engineers, and integrators, working under strict constraints to respect cultural sensitivities and architectural limitations while enduring environmental extremes.

The Fairy Tale Show

The Fairy Tale takes audiences on a journey through key milestones: from His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s first prayer in Sharjah (1997), to the generosity of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2018), culminating in the inauguration led by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2024).

Adrian Goulder, Technical Director of VueAV, highlighted the show’s distinctiveness: “Most AV experiences focus on ROI or user engagement. Here, the message is unity and spiritual growth. Every word and whisper, narrated by Swami Brahmaviharidas, resonates with harmony. It’s transformative—an experience that transcends typical immersive shows.”

Swami Brahmaviharidas added, “This award is an honour. Our aim was never just sound systems or lighting; it was to create an environment where every heart, regardless of background, can connect deeply with universal spirituality.”

A Trail of Recognition

Since its inauguration in February 2024, the Mandir has received multiple awards, including:

• MEED Project Awards 2024 – Best Cultural Project in the UAE and MENA region
• Mechanical Engineering Plumbing (MEP) Award 2019 – Excellence in engineering
• Recognition from the World Architecture Festival and other international forums

With this latest accolade, the BAPS Hindu Mandir continues to stand as a global symbol of spiritual devotion, architectural brilliance, and innovative audio-visual storytelling.