PM Modi inaugurates landmark Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, six years after he laid the foundation stone of the temple in 2018.

The Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir is the first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi. 

The land for the temple was donated by the UAE government.

Located in Abu Mureikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, the temple is built on around 27 acres of land. 

The construction work began in 2019 and it cost around ₹700 crore ($84.3 million).

Describing it as a symbol of the shared heritage of humanity, Modi thanked UAE President Sheikh Mohammad Zayed Al Nahyan for making the temple a reality. 

“I hope that the BAPS Mandir will become a symbol of communal harmony and global unity for the whole world,” Modi said. 

In his address at the inauguration, Modi said the temple is another cultural chapter to the identity of the UAE, which till now was known for Burj Khalifa, Future Museum, Sheikh Zayed Mosque, and other hi-tech buildings. 

UAE Tolerance Minister Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and spiritual leaders from all faiths attended the inauguration ceremony at the grand temple. 

“I am confident that a large number of devotees will come here in the times to come. This will also increase the number of people coming to the UAE and increase the people-to-people connect between the two countries,” Modi said.

Thanking the  UAE president, Modi said, “If there is anyone who has the biggest and the most significant role in making this grand temple a reality, then it is none other than my brother His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.” 

“The government of UAE has wholeheartedly worked to fulfill the aspirations of crores of Indians. The government of UAE has not only won the hearts of Indians living in the UAE but also of all 140 crore Indians,” he added.

Recalling the consecration ceremony of the newly constructed Ram temple in Ayodhya last month, Modi said, “Just last month, the age-old dream of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya was fulfilled. Ram Lalla is seated in his Bhavan! The whole of India and every Indian is still immersed in that feeling of love.” 

“Our immense pleasure in Ayodhya has been further enhanced by the wave of happiness received in Abu Dhabi today. It is my good fortune that I have been a witness to the grand Shri Ram temple first in Ayodhya, and then to this temple in Abu Dhabi,” he added.

The UAE has three other Hindu temples that are located in Dubai. The BAPS temple will be the largest in the Gulf region.