Abu Dhabi Hindu Temple Opens Today: From Foundation to Inauguration; Mandir’s 5 Years Journey – News

The construction of the Middle East’s first traditional stone Hindu temple has been a long journey filled with important milestones and cherished moments.

Since the foundation stone was laid five years ago, nothing has stopped the creation of this architectural splendor at Abu Mureikhah. Here is a selection of the BAPS Hindu mandir (temple) timeline as the temple opens in Abu Dhabi this afternoon.

April 5, 1997: Pramukh Swami Maharaj prayed and wished for a temple in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, in the middle of the Sharjah desert. “Let there be a Mandir (temple) in Abu Dhabi, which will bring countries, cultures, communities and religions closer together,” he said.

August 9, 2015: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the United Arab Emirates has decided to allocate land for the construction of a Hindu temple. Prime Minister Modi thanked the UAE government for the gesture. It was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Emirates in 34 years.

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February 10, 2018: BAPS representatives met His Highness Sheikh Mohamed and Indian Prime Minister Modi at the Presidential Palace. Presented with two designs, Sheikh Mohamed chose a large traditional stone temple instead of a normal cult building. Sheikh Mohamed generously donated land to build the temple and a cultural complex.

February 11, 2018: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched the BAPS Hindu Mandir project and addressed the Indian community at the Dubai Opera. Before the start of construction a Hindu ritual of ‘Bhoomi Poojan’, in homage to the Earth, was held at the temple site at Abu Mureikhah.

April 20, 2019: His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj performed the ‘Shilanyas Vidhi’, the Vedic foundation stone laying ceremony, with the participation of the chief ministers and government officials of the Emirates, and thousands of devotees present.

December 14, 2019: The much-awaited construction of the BAPS Hindu Mandir began with the blessings of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj.

October 1, 2021: A majestic 3D model of the temple was displayed at the India Pavilion during Expo 2020 Dubai. It was admired by all and allowed visitors to understand the remarkable designs and visualize the architectural wonder of Abu Dhabi.

November 9, 2021: The ‘Pratham Shila Sthaapan Saptah’: A week-long ceremony was held at the temple to sanctify the bricks that were used for the construction. More than 1,000 devotees, volunteers and well-wishers participated in the special ceremony.

May 27, 2022: ‘Mahapeeth Pujan Vidhi’ was performed: A ceremony was performed to lay the first carved sandstone on the first floor of the temple. It marked the next step of construction, once work on the ground floor, which consists of 14 layers, was completed.

September 8, 2022: Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami led 500 devotees, well-wishers and construction professionals in a special ceremony to bless the first marble pillars of the temple.

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October 20, 2023: Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami with Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami climbed on a box raised by a crane to perform the ritual to bless the seven spiers, each representing an emirate of the United Arab Emirates.

November 29, 2023: On November 11, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj performed the Vedic rituals of ‘Amrut Kalashes’, flags and flagpoles for needles. Later, on November 29, the sanctified ‘kalashes’ were placed on top of the spiers.

February 14, 2024: The main milestone and the much-awaited inauguration of the temple with a colorful ‘Festival of Harmony’ and vibrant events that will bring communities together and spread messages of love, peace and harmony.

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