Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India officially inaugurated the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, marking a historic moment for the Indian community in the United Arab Emirates.
This grand stone temple, built on a 27-acre plot, stands as the first Hindu temple in the UAE and one of the largest in the Middle East. Its inauguration signifies a commitment to religious freedom and cultural harmony between India and the UAE, where Islam is the official religion.
Prior to the official ceremony, Prime Minister Modi participated in a special ritual, symbolically offering water in the virtual Ganga and Yamuna rivers housed within the temple. He then proceeded to offer prayers inside the majestic pink sandstone structure.
“The BAPS temple will be an enduring tribute to the values of harmony, peace and tolerance, which both India and the UAE share,” stated PM Modi, highlighting the significance of the temple as a bridge between cultures.
The prestigious inauguration ceremony saw the presence of Indian government officials, Bollywood stars, members of the Ambani family, and senior Abu Dhabi officials.
Former Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Navdeep Suri, emphasized the immense importance of the temple for the Indian community in the UAE, stating, “It’s been a spiritual as well as religious need for them for many years.”
