Narendra Modi in BAPS Mandir (img: File)

Prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir, the first Hindu temple in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today.

PM Modi arrived at the temple premises at 6 p.m. (IST) and was welcomed by BAPS’ Ishwarcharandas Swami and other delegates.

Offering flower petals to Lord Swaminarayan, PM Modi proceeded to perform rituals, which began with offering the holy Ganges water, as part of the inauguration ceremony, which coincided with the auspicious Basant Panchmi festival.

Seated alongside Mahant Swami Maharaj, PM Modi performed the ‘global aarti’.

Following the inauguration, PM Modi sought Mahant Swami Maharaj’s blessings as he was garlanded by the seer.

He proceeded to offer holy water to the idol of Maharaj Swami Narayan and inscribed the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (world is one family) on a stone at the temple.

The inauguration of the iconic temple was celebrated through the ‘Festival of Harmony’ - a series of programmes and events focussed on strengthening faith, mobilising community service, and inspiring harmony among people of all generations and backgrounds.

The celebrations began on Feb 10, and will continue until Feb 21.

Ahead of PM Modi’s arrival, the entire campus had been decorated with symbols, including messages of ‘Welcome’ in Sanskrit, Arabic, English, and Gujarati.

“The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi serves as a spiritual oasis for global harmony that celebrates the past and recalibrates the future. It is a timeless testament to the spirituality of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj and the generosity, sincerity and friendship of the leaderships of the UAE, India and BAPS,” Brahmaviharidas Swami, who has been overseeing the Mandir project, said earlier.

Attributions of the BAPS Mandir

Spread over a 27-acre piece of land, gifted by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the iconic stone temple is located in Abu Mureikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed highway.

Featuring the traditional Nagar style of architecture, the temple stands tall at 108 feet and is crowned with seven shikhars (spires) each representing one of the seven emirates of the UAE.

With two central domes, ‘Dome of Harmony’ and ‘Dome of Peace’, the temple’s entrance is marked by eight idols, which symbolises the eight values foundational to Sanatana Dharma.

As per reports, the cost of the construction is estimated to be around 400 m UAE dirhams (₹904.44 cr).

After the UAE government allotted land for the temple in 2015, PM Modi thanked the leadership of the Gulf nation on behalf of 130 cr Indians and called it a “landmark” move.

(Source: IANS)

- Edited for style

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