Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, Dubai.

He was welcomed at the majestic BAPS temple by BAPS’ Ishwarcharandas Swami and garlanded by a group of priests upon his arrival. He performed Aarti and offered prayers at the temple.

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People gathered for the occasion also raised “Modi, Modi” slogans and he waved towards them. The ‘BAPS Mandir’, the first traditional Hindu temple in the United Arab Emirates, sits on 27 acres of land that was generously gifted by the UAE leadership.

The significance of the cultural milestone lies not only in its architectural grandeur but also in the message it conveys — a testament to the harmonious relationship between Bharat and the Gulf region.

The BAPS Hindu Mandir is the Middle East’s first traditional Hindu stone temple. Situated in the Abu Mureikhah area, the majestic structure embodies the spirit of cultural peace and collaboration and is also a reflection of the enduring friendship between India and the UAE.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, donated 13.5 acres of land in 2015 for the construction of the mandir.

The UAE Government, during its Year of Tolerance, allocated a further 13.5 acres of land in January 2019 — making a total of 27 acres of land gifted for the Mandir, a temple release said earlier.

India’s Ambassador to UAE Sunjay Sudhir visited the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi last month to see the progress of its construction.

In December, Swami Ishwarcharandas of the BAPS called on the Prime Minister at his residential office and extended him an invitation to inaugurate the BAPS Mandir in Abu Dhabi on 14 February.

The Prime Minister had on Tuesday thanked UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his personal support and graciousness in granting land for the construction of the BAPS Temple in Abu Dhabi

The two countries have noted that the BAPS Temple is a celebration of UAE-India friendship, deep-rooted cultural bonds and an embodiment of the UAE’s global commitment to harmony, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.