The first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East will be opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14 when he inaugurates the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. It is anticipated that the occasion would deepen the long-standing friendship between the UAE and India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to open the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi on February 14, a few weeks after the spectacular opening of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir in Uttar Pradesh. On February 13, he will also speak at the Ahlan Modi Indian community celebration at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.
The completion of the holy site and the planned opening by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj on February 14, 2024, have been verified by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.
On Monday, the spiritual guide landed in Abu Dhabi to oversee the opening of the country’s first Hindu temple. The temple’s construction started in December 2019, and on February 14 it will be officially opened.
A few days later, on February 18, the temple will be open to the public. Using pink limestone and white marble, the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East is situated on more than 27 acres. This temple was built without the use of concrete or steel. The BAPS Hindu Mandir also has seven pinnacles, which stand for the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates.
On the grounds of the temple are a food court, bookstores, gift shops, amphitheater, playground, prayer room, library, classroom, and community center.
Anticipated to be the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East, the BAPS Hindu Temple represents the close affinity between India and the United Arab Emirates. In 2015, land for the construction of the mandir was provided by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December saw a discussion over the temple at PM Modi’s residence with BAPS Swami Ishwarcharandas. Transportation from every emirate has been organized, and an online registration site has been set up for the occasion. The temple, which was built in honor of Sheikh Zayed and Mahatma Gandhi, is a testament to peace and tolerance.
For the inauguration, a cultural program including 400 local artists is being arranged. On April 20, 2019, the temple’s foundation was set, and in May 2023, ambassadors from more than 30 nations visited the site while it was under construction.
Within a day of its introduction, about 12,000 people had registered for the event, demonstrating the positive reception it has received. In order to further solidify their partnership, India and the UAE signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
