Edited by Deepali Verma
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing to inaugurate the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi on February 14, where he will also address the Bharatiya community event, Ahlan Modi at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in UAE on February 13.
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has informed about the completion of the religious campus and the scheduled inauguration is to be conducted by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 February.
The spiritual leader arrived in Abu Dhabi on February 5 to preside over the inauguration of UAE’s first Hindu temple. The construction work for the temple started in December 2019 and the land for which was based off of the donation of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi donated land for the mandir’s construction in 2015.
The temple is expected to open to the general public on February 18. The maiden Middle East’s traditional Hindu stone temple is spread over an area of 27 acres and is constructed by using pink limestone as well as white marble. It signifies the strong friendship between Bharat and the UAE. No use of steel or concrete has been made in the construction of this temple. Seven pinnacles that symbolise the seven emirates of the UAE, have also been constructed in the BAPS Hindu Mandir.
The temple premises holds a visitors centre, library, classroom, prayer room, community centre, amphitheatre, playground, garden, books, gift shops and food court.
PM Modi as well as BAPS Swami Ishwarcharandas held discussion regarding the temple at the Prime Minister’s residential office in December. A registration portal has been launched for the event and further transport is arranged from all emirates. The temple is a symbol of peace and tolerance, inspired by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and Sheikh Zayed.
A cultural programme that consists of 400 local talents is prepared for the inauguration. The foundation for the temple was laid on April 20, 2019, and during the construction, it was visited by diplomats from over 30 countries in May 2023.
The event has noted an enthusiastic response with almost 12,000 registrations within 24 hours of announcement. Bharat and the UAE have further cemented their relationship by signing four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
