Abu Dhabi’s Rs 700 Crore BAPS Hindu Temple: All You Need To Know Ahead Of PM Modi's Visit

India witnessed history being made on January 22nd with the consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. All eyes were on the grand ceremony as it was attended by thousands of devotees and guests, right from India’s PM Modi to Bollywood celebrities, sports stars and business personalities.?

After Ram Lalla’s homecoming, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi on February 14. This will be the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East.

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Thousands of BAPS swamis and volunteers are expected to attend the event. Ahead of the grand inauguration, a Vishwa Samvadita Yagna was held at the BAPS temple, where Vedic prayers were recited for global harmony.

The inauguration ceremony is being called a ‘Festival of Harmony’ – a celebration of cultural diversity and spiritual unity.

“The Yagna, the first of its kind in the Middle East, brought together dignitaries, spiritual leaders, and members of the community to pray for peace, harmony and the well-being and success of everyone in the UAE and across the world,” said a Press statement.

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Explaining the importance of Yagna, Swami Brahmaviharidas, the Mandir project head said, “A yagna of this significance rarely takes place outside of India. The occasion served as the perfect way to pay tribute to the Mandir’s message of global unity, a value that His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj is deeply passionate about. The peace and coexistence that was evoked throughout the morning embodied a beacon of hope for future generations that the Mandir will reinforce.”

Spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj will preside over the inauguration of the temple.?

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For the unversed, the BAPS Global Network is composed of more than 1100 mandirs and 3,850 centers spread across the world.

Here’s all you need to know about the temple:

1. Nestled in the Abu Mureikhah area, the temple stands as a testament to architectural excellence, constructed at an approximate cost of Rs 700 crore. The intricate detailing of pink Rajasthan sandstone and pristine white Italian marble was meticulously crafted in India and then meticulously assembled in the UAE.

2. Spanning 27 acres, the temple graciously sits on land donated by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This generous contribution of land was extended during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country in 2015.

3. BAPS, also known as Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, is a Hindu sect. It is recognized for its devotion to Swaminarayan, considering him as an incarnation of Lord Krishna. The sect played a key role in leading the construction.

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4. The design draws inspiration from Vedic architecture and sculptures. Notably, each of the seven spires of the temple symbolizes one of the Emirates of the UAE. Additionally, the temple will include facilities such as classrooms, exhibition centers, and play areas for children.

5. In 2017, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone, marking the beginning of the temple's construction. Subsequently, in January 2019, the UAE Government further allocated an additional 13.5 acres for the project in additions to the Crown Prince's contribution of 13.5 acres.

6.?To streamline the inauguration event, a registration portal has been established, and transportation arrangements are being made from all emirates. The coordination of the event is being handled by 150 Indian community organizations in the UAE.

(With agency inputs)