- Monday, March 10, 2025
Spiritual leader from India’s Rishikesh, Sadhvi Saraswati Bhagwati, and Vandana Sudhir, wife of the Indian ambassador to the UAE, were present among other esteemed guests at the event.
By: Shubham Ghosh
THE ‘Festival of Harmony,’ which commemorated the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on February 14, concluded on Wednesday (21).
Organised by the women’s wing of the BAPS temple, the special assembly drew over 2,000 women, emphasizing the pivotal role of women in societal uplift and their contributions to humanity, the Gulf News reported.
A video titled ‘Faces of Inspiration’ showcased on the occasion stories of remarkable individuals who dedicated themselves to serving the BAPS Hindu Mandir in extraordinary circumstances.
Read: BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi opened; IN PICS
Notable attendees at the event included Sadhvi Saraswati Bhagwati, a spiritual leader, author, and motivational speaker from Rishikesh in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, alongside other distinguished guests.
Sadhvi Bhagwati is the secretary-general of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, an international interfaith body dedicated to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene and also serves in various other capacities, including as the director of International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh.
Read: Is Valentine’s Day the reason for BAPS temple opening on Feb 14? Priest says no
She has also penned a best-selling memoir ‘Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation’.
At the event, she spoke about the role of temples and how they inspire faith and peace.
Among other distinguished guests was Vandana Sudhir, the wife of the Indian ambassador to the UAE, Sanjay Sudhir, boasting over 30 years of experience in the education sector.
Poonam Bhojani, the founding CEO of Innoventures Education and an MBA graduate from IIM Bangalore, India, was also present.
The event exemplified a sense of community, with participants representing various prominent groups within the UAE. Attendees hailed from diverse backgrounds, including the Jain Samaj, Art of Living, Ame Gujarati in UAE, Indian Women in Dubai, Rising Stars Group, Maharashtra Mandal Abu Dhabi, the South Indian community, Indian Ladies Association Abu Dhabi, and many others. This gathering symbolized unity and inclusivity and showcased the vibrant array of cultures present in the Gulf nation, the news report added.
Indian cultural dance such as Bharatnatyam was presented at BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi during the event.
Sadhvi Bhagwati expressed her delight upon visiting the temple, underscoring its role in promoting unity among communities.
“The Mandir stands as a testament to ‘Bhakti ki shakti’ (the power of devotion). It serves as a symbol of global harmony, reminiscent of the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj. The whole [of this Mandir] is greater than the sum of its parts, evident in everyone coming together for its cause,” she said.
Vandana Sudhir said the temple has served as a bridge between different cultures and religions to make the world a better place.
“What can be a better place than here to inspire unity and love in society!” she added.
The temple, the construction for which started in 2019, was inaugurated on February 14 by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. BAPS president His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj ceremonially consecrated the temple, the largest Hindu structure in the Middle East.
