WATCH: Consecration ceremony of BAPS Hindu Temple held in Abu Dhabi ahead of inauguration by PM Modi

The consecration ceremony of the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi was held on Wednesday ahead of its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 6 PM (IST).

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The inauguration of the BAPS temple is significant for Hindu communities worldwide as it is the first mandir to be built in Abu Dhabi.

Sadhu Brahmaviharidas, the chief of international relations of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha hailed the construction of the temple in UAE.

He said, “Well, symbolism is clear, and I don’t hide it. For a ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to have space in his heart to allow the first traditional stone temple in this part of the region in the history of humanity, I think all of us need to join our hands and applaud the rulers and the leaders of this nation.”

He also commended the relationship PM Modi shares with the UAE which was a driving force behind the construction of the temple.

“So, the BAPS Hindu Mandir has been built because of the generosity of the rulers. And I also say because of the friendship that our honourable Prime Minister has been able to generate with the rulers, the leaders, through the trade, through the great events that have happened. It’s because of trust, transparency, and truth that this entire Mandir has been made,” he added.

About the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi

The Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) temple in Abu Dhabi was built after UAE allocated land for its construction following Modi’s first visit to the country in 2015.

Modi was the first prime minister after Indira Gandhi to formally visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Thanking the UAE leadership for its decision to build the temple, Modi hailed the move as a “landmark” in India-UAE relations.