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PM Modi Inaugurates Abu Dhabi's First Hindu Temple: Here's All You Need To Know About It
PM Modi at the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (14 February) inaugurated the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Spread over 27 acres and built at a cost of over Rs 700 crore, the BAPS Hindu temple is also seen as a sign of the strengthening relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates.
The temple is built by Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha or the BAPS society.
Accompanied by the priests, PM Modi also offered prayers at the temple.
Speaking after inaugurating the temple, PM Modi said, "A golden chapter in human history has been written in UAE 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".
PM Modi also thanked UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed for "fulfilling the aspirations of crores of Indians".
"If there is anyone who has the biggest and the most significant role in making this grand temple a reality, then it is none other than my brother His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed," PM Modi said.
"The Government of UAE has not only won the hearts of Indians living in UAE, but also of all 140 crore Indians," he added.
Stating that every moment of his life and every molecule in his body is dedicated to Ma Bharti, the Prime Minister said, "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".
The land for the temple was donated by the UAE government, in Abu Mureikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway.
The temple complex has a prayer hall with the capacity to hold 3,000 people; a community centre; an exhibition hall; a library; and a children’s park.
The temple features the traditional Nagar style of architecture and stands tall at 108 feet, being crowned with seven shikhars (spires) each representing one of the seven emirates of the UAE.
The temple space also features stories from ancient civilisations -- Maya, Aztec, Egyptian, Arabic, European, Chinese and African - all captured in stone. Tales of the 'Ramayan' can also be found on the structure.
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