PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the sprawling Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, built by the Bochasanwasi  Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha or the BAPS society, on Wednesday.

 

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PM Modi thanked UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed for "fulfilling the aspirations of crores of Indians".

The UAE government has set a new benchmark in cultural diplomacy by building a magnificent temple for the Indian community in Abu Dhabi. The temple has not only won the hearts of Indians living in the UAE but also of all 1.4 billion Indians.

The sprawling temple, built on a 27-acre plot of land donated by the UAE government, is a masterpiece of architecture and craftsmanship. The temple features the traditional Nagar style of architecture and stands tall at 108 feet, being crowned with seven shikhars (spires) each representing one of the seven emirates of the UAE.

 

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The temple houses seven shrines, each dedicated to different deities hailing from the North, East, West, and South parts of India. The temple's facade features elegant marble carvings set against a pink sandstone backdrop, crafted from more than 25,000 pieces of stone by skilled artisans from Rajasthan and Gujarat.

The temple space also features stories from ancient civilizations, including Maya, Aztec, Egyptian, Arabic, European, Chinese, and African, all captured in stone. The temple has already won several accolades, including the Best Mechanical Project of the Year 2019, at the MEP Middle East Awards, Best Interior Design Concept of the Year 2020, Best Architecture Style, and Best Traditional Nagar Style.

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The temple is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of the strong bond between India and the UAE. It is a testament to the UAE's commitment to promoting interfaith harmony and cultural diversity. The temple is expected to attract a large number of devotees in the coming times, which will increase people-to-people connect between India and the UAE.