- Monday, March 10, 2025
The atmosphere was electric as crowds were keen to witness the culmination of years of dedication and hard work that have gone into the construction of the magnificent structure.
By: Shubham Ghosh
THE BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi was witnessing on Wednesday (14) a surge of visitors, resonating with enthusiastic “Modi, Modi” chants, eagerly anticipating the historic inauguration ceremony by prime minister Narendra Modi.
As the first Hindu temple in the UAE, the BAPS Mandir has become a symbol of cultural and spiritual significance, attracting devotees from diverse backgrounds.
The atmosphere was electric with excitement as crowds gathered in large numbers to witness the culmination of years of dedication and hard work that have gone into the construction of the magnificent structure.
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A visit to the Smruti shop in Abu Dhabi provided a glimpse into the excitement surrounding the temple, with a variety of souvenirs capturing the essence of the BAPS Mandir.
Amit Sejpal, a dedicated volunteer from Belgium, underscored the symbolic significance of “Smruti” as memories, urging visitors to carry away cherished moments from the monumental occasion.
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“The Smruti shop represents all the souvenirs of the temple…Smruti means memory & one should take good memories from here because this temple has been built after a lot of hard work,” he told Asian News International.
The anticipation was tangible as attendees eagerly awaited the inauguration, which signifies a major milestone in Abu Dhabi’s cultural scene.
Ghansaram Chaudhary, hailing from Rajasthan, extended gratitude to the UAE government and Modi, echoing the profound sentiment shared by many who have travelled to witness the historic event.
“We have come here, especially for this temple. We thank this government here & PM Modi. I am overwhelmed,” Chaudhary told the news agency.
Nemish Parmar, a resident of Gujarat in India, echoed the sentiments of gratitude, emphasising the good fortune to be present for this historic occasion.
“I want to express my gratitude to the UAE government. I feel fortunate that I have had the opportunity to be here,” he said.
PM Modi will inaugurate the BAPS Hindu Mandir today later in the evening.
Earlier today, the consecration ceremony of the temple was held ahead.
The priests performed rituals as the inauguration is set to take place in the evening on Wednesday.
On Tuesday (13), Modi thanked UAE president Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for giving approval for the temple, during his address at ‘Ahlan Modi’, a diaspora event in Abu Dhabi.
The incorporation of advanced technology, including 300 sensors, elevates the temple to the status of a scientific marvel.
The temple has emerged as a testament to architectural brilliance and cultural significance in the heart of the region, marking the first stone Hindu temple in the area and proudly standing as the largest in the Middle East.
The construction of this divine sanctuary involved the meticulous placement of 1,800,000 bricks, a staggering 6,89,512 man-hours, and the grandeur of 40,000 cubic feet of marble and 180,000 cubic feet of sandstone.
Sprawling over 27 acres and standing tall at 108 feet, the BAPS Hindu Mandir is not only a symbol of spiritual devotion but also a marvel of engineering and craftsmanship. While Modi inaugurated the temple project in February 2018, its foundation stone was laid in April 2019 and the construction started in December the same year.
The estimated cost of this magnificent construction, a testament to the devotion and commitment of the community, is Dh400 million.
(With ANI inputs)
