PM Modi inaugurates Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a historic moment in the Middle East as he inaugurated Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple, recognised as the largest in the region.

Spread across 27 acres and constructed at a cost exceeding Rs 700 crore, the BAPS Hindu temple signifies the strengthening ties between India and the United Arab Emirates.

In his address, PM Modi, speaking in Hindi, hailed the occasion, stating, "UAE has written a golden chapter in human history today. A grand and holy temple has been inaugurated in Abu Dhabi today. Years of hard work have gone into this temple, and a long-cherished dream has come true. Bhagwan Swaminarayan's blessings are also with this temple."

Referring to the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, PM Modi expressed, "A centuries-old dream was fulfilled. All of India and every Indian is still cherishing that feeling. My friend Brahmavihari Swamy was saying, 'Modi ji is the biggest priest'. I don't know if I have the qualifications of a temple priest, but I am proud to be a priest of Maa Bharti (Mother India)."

Highlighting his dedication to Mother India, PM Modi emphasised, "The joy we felt in Ayodhya has been amplified in Abu Dhabi today. It is my honour that I witnessed the consecration of the temple in Ayodhya last month and this temple in Abu Dhabi today."

During his two-day visit to the UAE, PM Modi praised UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support in the construction of the temple. The President had donated 13.5 acres of land for the project in 2015, fulfilling PM Modi's request during their meeting. The temple's construction began in 2019 after an additional 13.5 acres of land was donated.

Constructed by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), the temple is located in Abu Mreikhah, near Al Rahba. The consecration ceremony, which commenced on Wednesday morning, includes seven shikhars representing the seven emirates forming the UAE.

PM Modi participated in a 'global aarti' performed simultaneously at over 1,200 temples built by BAPS, and before inaugurating the temple, he symbolically offered water in the virtual Ganga and Yamuna rivers. The seven spires of the temple represent deities such as Lord Ram, Lord Shiv, Lord Jagannath, Lord Krishna, Lord Swaminarayan, Tirupati Balaji, and Lord Ayappa.

Following the inauguration, PM Modi is set to visit Doha for a bilateral meeting with the Qatari leadership. This visit comes after Qatar's release of eight navy veterans from prison, considered a significant diplomatic victory for India. PM Modi's visit to the UAE is his seventh since 2015 and his third in eight months.