The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi celebrated its first ‘Patotsav’—the anniversary of its inauguration—on Sunday, with special prayers and cultural performances.
Over 10,000 devotees from across the region visited the shrine on this auspicious day, the Temple Trust said.
“The Patotsav is an auspicious date whereby sacred traditional rituals and ceremonies are invoked to honour and celebrate the anniversary of the Mandir’s Pran Pratishtha, the consecration of deities in the central shrine,” it said.
Over a thousand devotees took part in the Mahapuja in the early hours. The Trust claims that the ceremony was a blend of technology and spirituality as special projections on the Mandir displayed various rituals, enhancing the devotional experience for all attendees.
The Nashik Dhol team from Maharashtra, with their energetic drumming, accompanied the procession of Lord Swaminarayan from the Maha Abhishek Sthan to the central dome of the Mandir.
At a special recitation ceremony, verses were chanted in praise the birth anniversary of Shastriji Maharaj, the founder of BAPS. The congregation also honoured UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
According to a press statement issued by the Temple Trust, the event showcased 19 different performances, with troupes comprising 224 participants. “Spectators were enthralled by renditions of Madhurashtakam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, alongside traditional Marathi, Odissi, Bengali and Bharatanatyam dances, making it a truly immersive and unifying cultural experience,” it said.
“This first Patotsav not only celebrated the milestone anniversary of the BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi but also reaffirmed its role as a beacon of peace, faith, and cultural unity in the region. The Mandir continues to serve as a centre for spiritual enlightenment, social service, and cultural exchange, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds in the spirit of harmony,” it further said.