BAPS temple: PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate first Hindu shrine in Abu Dhabi today

Abu Dhabi: India Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Abu Dhabi today. It is noteworthy mentioning that it is the first Hindu temple in the city.

Reportedly, the temple will be opened for the public from March 1 onwards.

The BAPS Hindu temple has been built over 27 acres of land. It is located in Abu Mureikh, near the Sheikh Zayed Highway. Notably, the construction of the temple had begun in 2019.

It is interesting to mention that no steel or concrete has been used in the construction of this temple. The premises comprise of a visitors’ centre, library, classroom, prayer room, community centre, amphitheatre, playground, garden, books and shops as well.

PM Narendra Modi arrived in UAE on Tuesday, for a two-day visit. Upon his arrival, he received a Guard of Honor.

He also addressed a gathering of the Indian diaspora at the Zayed sports city stadium in Abu Dhabi. Therein, he expressed gratitude for helping foster friendly ties between both the nations.

PM Modi also thanked the UAE government for taking “good care of them.” Notably, UAE is home to about 3.5 million Indians and they make up about 35 percent of the population of the Gulf nation.

PM Modi also thanked the UAE President for the construction of BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi. He said that this would not have been possible without the support of the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

It is noteworthy mentioning that this is PM Narendra Modi’s seventh visit to the UAE and his second to Qatar since 2014.