News Notes
The iconic new BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi was inaugurated on February 14. 2024 by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj in the presence of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the eminent Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence for the UAE, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan.
The new Mandir, constructed on land gifted by the UAE president and ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was guided and inspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a global Hindu fellowship.
The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi is the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East and stands as a testament to the friendship between India and the UAE, embodying the spirit of cultural inclusivity, interfaith harmony, and community collaboration.
During an extensive interactive tour of the temple campus, Modi learned about some of the features of the Mandir that promote universal compassion, respect, charity, and learning.
Inside the Mandir, Modi participated in a short Vedic ceremony paying homage to the seven Hindu deities enshrined under the seven spires of the Mandir, themselves reflecting the unity of the seven emirates of the UAE.
After meeting volunteers, children, artisans, and others from all over the world who have supported the construction of this temple, Modi carved ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ into a piece of stone. The message of ‘the world is one family’ has been the foundational principle of the Mandir.
In his keynote address, Modi said: “Today, the UAE has written a golden chapter in the history of humanity through this Mandir. The BAPS Hindu Mandir is for all of humanity. So I have every faith that the Mandir will usher in a new age of faith and hope, bringing the whole world together in harmony and collaboration.”
His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan thanked Modi for visiting the UAE. “We are proud to welcome a great friend from a great and friendly country.”
The Tolerance and Coexistence Minister also thanked His Holiness for building the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. He said, “Today marks the beginning of something special. The new Mandir will be a place of worship and also a community centre.” He concluded, “I share in your optimism. I share in your pride.”
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is an international community-based Hindu fellowship affiliated to the United Nations, caring for individuals, families and societies through its more than one million members, 80,000 volunteers and 5,025 centers.
For further details, visit baps.org.
