Abu Dhabi Hindu Temple Unveiled: 5-Year Journey from Foundation to Inauguration

Post by: Dr. Amrinder Pal Singh

The construction of the Middle East's inaugural traditional Hindu stone temple, the BAPS Hindu Mandir, has been a momentous journey filled with significant milestones and cherished moments.

Commencing with the laying of the foundation stone five years ago in Abu Mureikhah, the temple's timeline unfolds:

• April 5, 1997: Pramukh Swami Maharaj expresses a visionary prayer for a temple in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing its role in bringing countries, cultures, communities, and religions together.

• August 9, 2015: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces the UAE's decision to allocate land for building the Hindu temple during his historic visit, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Emirates in 34 years.

• February 10, 2018: BAPS representatives meet His Highness Sheikh Mohamed and PM Modi, presenting two designs. Sheikh Mohamed chooses a grand traditional stone temple, generously providing land for both the temple and a cultural complex.

• February 11, 2018: PM Modi officially launches the BAPS Hindu Mandir project, performing the Hindu ritual of ‘Bhoomi Poojan’ at the temple site in Abu Mureikhah.

• April 20, 2019: The 'Shilanyas Vidhi' ceremony, a Vedic ritual for laying the foundation stone, is conducted by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, with top Emirati ministers, government officials, and thousands of devotees in attendance.

• December 14, 2019: The much-anticipated construction of the BAPS Hindu Mandir commences with blessings from His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.

The subsequent years mark key developments:

• October 1, 2021: A majestic 3D model of the temple is exhibited in the India Pavilion during Expo 2020 Dubai, allowing visitors to appreciate the remarkable designs.

• November 9, 2021: The ‘Pratham Shila Sthaapan Saptah,’ a week-long ceremony, sanctifies the bricks used for construction, with the participation of over 1,000 devotees, volunteers, and well-wishers.

• May 27, 2022: The ‘Mahapeeth Pujan Vidhi’ ceremony, placing the first carved sandstone on the temple's first floor, marks the next stage of construction after completing the ground floor.

• September 8, 2022: Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami lead a special ceremony blessing the first marble pillars of the temple.

• October 20, 2023: Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami perform a ritual to bless the seven spires, each representing an Emirate of the UAE.

• November 29, 2023: His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj performs Vedic rituals for the ‘Amrut Kalashes,’ flags, and flagstaffs for the spires. On November 29, the sanctified ‘kalashes’ are positioned atop the spires.

• February 14, 2024: The highly awaited inauguration of the temple takes place, featuring a colourful 'Festival of Harmony' and vibrant events uniting communities and spreading messages of love, peace, and harmony.

#BAPSHinduMandir #AbuDhabiTemple #InaugurationDay #TempleJourney #MilestoneMoments #CulturalUnity #HinduismInUAE #TempleConstruction #HistoricVisit #Expo2020Dubai #HarmonyFestival #CulturalHeritage #SpiritualMilestones #UAEUnity #ReligiousTolerance #CommunityCelebration #CulturalComplex #VedicRituals #CulturalHarmony #HistoricInauguration #LovePeaceHarmony #UAEHeritage #CulturalDiversity #breakingnews #worldnews #headlines #topstories #globalUpdate #dxbnewsnetwork #dxbnews #dxbdnn #dxbnewsnetworkdnn