FROM THE "TOP" OF THE WORLD'S TALLEST BUILDING -- BURJ KHALIFA, DUBAI



THE CONTOURS OF DUBAI SKYLINE

(By Subbaram Danda)



Burj Khalifa (the Tower of Khalifa) has become an iconic feature of the glittering skyline of Dubai, one of the fastest growing entities of the seven-member United Arab Emirates.  For over four years, it has been reigning supreme as the tallest man-made structure in the world soaring to a height of 2,717 feet. On the evening of March 23, 2014 I and my better half went to the "top" of the tower and our exhilaration knew no bounds. 

A model of Burj Khalifa



The tower has 163 floors with an observation deck for visitors, called “At the Top,” in the 124^th floor.  With pre-purchased tickets we made it to the "top," from a reception desk in the Dubai Mall at the base of the tower and through escalators and finally through an elevator.   It was a marvellous lifting machine.  It moved to the 124^th floor in an incredible operation in about a minute, whisper-free and vibration-free.



At the Dubai Mall before proceeding to the "top"

We got the exciting feeling of being on top of the world.  In the past we had been on the Empire State Building in the US, the Eiffel Tower in France, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy and the Petronas Towers in Malaysia but they were not so tall.  “At the Top” was a broad circular glass-encased corridor built around the tower for hundreds of visitors to walk around in comfort and take a look outside below.



"At the Top" observation deck in the 124th floor



An interesting fact was that the visitors could stay there as long as they wanted and could take photos and videos without any hindrance.  We could see lots people from all over the world.  But, there were only a small number of “locals.” 

    

A view of the high-rise buildings below



We had opted for a late afternoon time-slot to be able to enjoy the scenario in daytime as also after the nightfall.  In the haze-free atmosphere the high-rise buildings around the tower looked uncannily dwarfish.   Cars moving on highways and clover-leaf flyovers appeared play things.  Distant desert sands and a dazzling horizon proved charming.

Fast moving cars on the roads and the clover-leaf intersections

With bated breath we waited for the sun-set.  Orange and crimson patterns started adorning the sky and the sun kept descending slowly and very slowly.   Finally as it sank in a radiance of reddish colours, lights appeared on the buildings below.



Another view out of the tower



And almost all of a sudden, the water sprouts of the famous Dancing Fountains at the base of the tower started spewing out. Thus began the star attraction of the evening.  It lasted about five minutes. The next show would be after about fifteen minutes.

 

As the sun set, the Dancing Fountains came alive



We joined a long line to get into the elevator to go down and see the fountains from a close range.  The queue moved fast and soon we were at the waterfront at the ground level.  The fountains started dancing to mesmerizing Arabic music and at the end there was a show of laser beams. 

 

On the way back to the ground floor, photos of people who built the tower

The facts about Burj Khalifa are awesome. There are hundreds of ultra-luxury private residences, corporate suites, all convenience service providers, hotels and restaurants. The design of the building is the outcome of an international competition. It rises from a triple-lobed base and its wings emerge out of its central core like petals from a stem. Its floor plan maximizes views of the Arabian Gulf.

A close-up of the Dancing Fountains from the Ground Floor



Initial excavation work on the tower began in January 2004 and the official launch ceremony was held in January 2010.  It was said that at the peak of work, over 12,000 workers and contractors were on site every day representing more than 100 nationalities.

April 05, 2014



THE GRAND MOSQUE OF ABU DHABI

THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN

(By Subbaram Danda)

I and my wife were on a short holiday in the United Arab Emirates from March 20 to 24, 2014, visiting Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.  We were advised not to miss the Grand Mosque, a modern-day architectural marvel in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi.  It was open to persons of all nationalities and religions.  One morning we set out exploring it.



A broad corridor in the mosque with rows of glistening pillars and arches

The drive on the multi-lane super highway from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, a stretch of 150 kms, was pleasant. As our car sped touching 120 kms per hour nonchalantly many times, high-rise buildings of every shape, size and colour on both sides of the road whizzed by. Our driver assured us, “We are permitted to drive upto 140 kms per hour in several segments but any adventure above that limit will be risky. The traffic regulators here are very strict and we do not take any chances either.”

We kept enjoying the passing scenes, occasionally taking snaps, looking forward to seeing the new wonder. The traffic was also not much in the morning hour. What was striking was the well-laid out pink and white flower beds on the pavements running along the highway, providing pleasant relief to the concrete structures.

The driver interjected, “Hope madam has brought her passport with her. She has to leave it in the safe-custody of the mosque’s security in return for a black abaya (full body robe with hood for the head), which she should wear while in the mosque. Finally, it is to be returned and passport got back. It is free. Men cannot wear sleeveless T-shirts nor shorts above the knee.” Soon, we entered the underground parking lot of the mosque. In the same floor, the abaya booth was located. The procurement and the wearing of the abaya proved easy.

A side view



Making our way through an escalator we reached the mosque level. What we saw ahead of us was stunning. A long line of white marble pillars in twin format glistened in the mild morning sun against a clear blue sky. The pillars, which supported arches, and domes above, had golden embellishments that added a touch of enchantment to the scene. Our first impression was that the mosque was a picture of opulence and serenity in equal measure. Photos and videos were permitted without any restriction.

Skirting the long stretch, we reached the main entrance. We could see people of all nationalities and faiths sauntering there in large numbers. It was amusing to see some western women struggling to hold their black robes, as their men clicked their pictures.

It was ten, the time for the first official complimentary conducted tour of the mosque. About thirty men and women from far and wide had gathered in the foyer. We joined them.

The main facade



A young abaya-clad English speaking UAE guide gave each one of us a hand set and an earphone to be able to hear her clearly. “Welcome to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, popularly known as the Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi. It was conceived by the late first President of UAE Sheikh Zayed. Its cornerstone was laid in late 1990s and the completed mosque was thrown open to worshippers in 2007,” she narrated.

To build it, high quality materials such as marble, gold leaf, crystals, gems, ceramics and glass were procured from all over the world, particularly from Morocco, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Germany, India, Iran and China. Craftsmen and workers also came from several geographical areas.

The guide led the group along a tile-paved broad corridor supported by four long rows of white marble pillars. With gold-covered patterns at the top, the pillars cast a magical spell on the visitors (the first photo above). “The 22,500 square metre mosque, one of the largest in the world, can accommodate 41,000 worshippers. It has four soaring minarets standing at the four corners. It features 82 domes of various sizes and more than 1,000 columns. The largest dome is located at the centre of the main prayer hall,” she explained.

Glittering chandeliers in the Main Prayer Hall



After a short while we were asked to leave our footwear on wooden stands and enter the main prayer hall. It was a huge space lavishly decorated with chandeliers, carpets, vaulted arches and Islamic calligraphy. The chandelier at the centre was undoubtedly a brilliant piece of artwork made in Germany with crystals and colourful gems shining out of gilded nest of strands. It descended gracefully from a point high above. Weighing about 12 tons, it is considered one of the world’s largest. Two smaller versions, also in the main prayer hall, weigh eight tons each. There are four other smaller ones elsewhere in the mosque.

Sensing that we did not shift our gaze from the top, the guide directed us to see the floor. It was another case of superlative workmanship. The world’s largest hand-knotted carpet covered the prayer hall. The carpet, covering an area of 5,700 square metres, was hand-crafted with designs by about 1,200 artisans. It was made of predominantly of wool (about 70 per cent) and cotton.

The guide led us out of the prayer hall and remarked: “Through the Grand Mosque, Sheik Zayed desired to have a channel of interaction with people of all cultures and faiths. By keeping its doors open, he wanted to promote the concept of tolerance, love and understanding among them.”

The central courtyard



The guide signed off in the vast central open courtyard used for congregations and meetings. It was paved with marble and mosaic slabs depicting colourful floral designs. We kept moving around to see the rest of the premises ourselves.

An outstanding feature we noticed was rectangle-shaped tranquil pools of water around the mosque that reflect the pillars and domes with a supernatural touch. We could see people standing in front of them and taking pictures to serve as mementoes. Water fountains in front of the main entrance and a landscaped area with a well-tended garden and date palms added charm to the scene.

Returning with lingering memories



Special lighting arrangements have been made to illuminate the entire edifice at night. The extent and style of illumination would depend on the brightness of the moon as it waxes and wanes through its phases. Twenty-two light towers are in place to provide this effect. Many travel mangers advise their clients to visit the mosque in the evening and stay back for the night illumination.

A state-of-the-art library in the mosque has on its shelves numerous rare manuscripts and imprints.

The Grand Mosque attracts about three million visitors a year, including many celebrities. And sure, memories of an hour-long visit there will linger long.

April 02, 2014