Compiled by George Thomas
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi on February 14, 2024. Called ‘Festival of Harmony’, the temple is being constructed at an approximate cost of Rs 700 crore.
Then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, gifted 17 acres of land for constructing the temple during PM Modi’s first official visit to the country in 2015. The 108-foot-tall temple will be the first traditional stone temple in UAE and the biggest in West Asia.
The temple, which resembles the Akshardham temple in New Jersey, is being constructed using pink sandstones from Rajasthan and European marble; no steel or iron materials have been used for construction.
The temple would have a community centre, a majlis (welcome centre) and a food court. The temple has seven spires, representing the seven emirates of UAE.
Led by BAPS, The temple is a symbol of brotherhood between India and the UAE. The temple head priest says, “The temple is a signal to bring everyone together irrespective of caste, creed and religion.”
The BAPS also envisages the construction of a community and exhibition centre on the premises. They are also planning to construct classrooms in the temple area for vedic studies.