Latest News

    • Home
    • National
    • Indians rejoice as foundation stone laid for first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi
    Indians rejoice as foundation stone laid for first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi
    Monday, April 29, 2019 IST
    Indians rejoice as foundation stone laid for first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi

    DUBAI: Thousands of Indians on Saturday rejoiced and participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony of the first Hindu temple in UAE's capital Abu Dhabi.

     
     

    Mahant Swami Maharaj, spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), which is constructing the temple, presided over the four-hour ceremony following which sanctified bricks were placed at the main pooja sthal (place of worship).
     
    Indian Ambassador to UAE Navdeep Suri read out Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on the occasion, congratulating the Gulf nation for this initiative.
     
    “On behalf of 130 crore Indians, it is my privilege to convey our greetings to my dear friend and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” Suri quoted Prime Minister Modi as saying.
     
    “When complete, this temple will symbolise the universal human values and spiritual ethos that form a shared heritage of both India and the UAE,” he said.
     
    Suri said that the temple embodies the timeless Vedic values of Vasudev Kutumbakam, the whole world is one family.
     
    “I am sure this temple will be a source of inspiration for the 33 lakh Indians residing in the UAE as well as of people from all other cultures,” Suri quoted Prime Minister Modi as saying.
     
    The plan to build the temple in Abu Dhabi was approved by the Abu Dhabi government during Modi's first visit to the country in 2015.
     
    Priti Vaishnav, education and development expert, termed the temple as a well-deserved recognition of a thriving Indian community in the UAE.
     
    “This will also serve as a great venue for tourism from all over the world as these temples spearheaded by BAPS are amazing pieces of architecture as well as famous for their larger than life manifestation,” Vaishnav said.
     
    The temple will be a cultural complex with art gallery, halls, library and gym.
     
    It will comprise of seven towers representing the seven emirates in the UAE and come up on a 14-acre piece of land at Abu Mureikhah, close to the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway.

     
     

    The stones for the temple will be carved by temple artisans in India and assembled in the UAE.
     
    Bindu Suresh Chettur, prominent Indian lawyer, said this is a welcome development for the 3.3 million Indians living in the UAE and that it will help enhance people-to-people contact.
     
    “This country has always been a role model when it comes to giving respect to everyone. This step will further boost the relations between the two countries. Also, the BAPS temple architecture is very unique so it will add to the long list of marvellous architectures in the UAE,” Chettur said.
     
    Sajeev Purushothaman, spokesperson of the NRI cell of Bharatiya Janata Party, said, “It's very significant and symbolic in this year of tolerance (being marked in the UAE). This temple is not just a place of worship, it is a place for human development and harmony to be created among communities.”
     
    “Just after the Pope's visit (to the UAE), we have BAPS spiritual guru poojya mahant Maharaj Ji and being NRI, we are proud of this temple and request all NRIs to be a part of the making,” he added.
     
    Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan received Swami Maharaj and his delegation of Hindu priests at Al Maktoum International Airport on Thursday.
     
    While interacting with Sheikh Nahyan, Swami Maharaj prayed for the good health and the prosperity of the rulers and people of the UAE.
     
    Swami Maharaj is the Spiritual Head of over 1,200 temples and 4,200 centers of spirituality worldwide. He guides the BAPS' social, spiritual, cultural, educational, health, disaster relief and other activities.
     
    He is the sixth and present spiritual guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.

     
     
     
     
     

    Related Topics

     
     
     

    Trending News & Articles

     Article
    Here is the full list of 827 porn websites banned by the DoT

    While the Uttarakhand High Court has asked to block 857 websites, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (Meity) found 30 portals without any pornographic content. ...

    Recently posted . 61K views . 1 min read
     

     Article
    Class XII Boys Raped 16-Year-old in Dehradun School After Watching Porn on Phone: Police

    The four boys as well as five school officials, including the director and principal, were arrested after the incident. The minors were presented before the Juvenil...

    Recently posted . 8K views . 1 min read
     

     Article
    Sept 27,2001 Rahul Gandhi and his girl friend Veronique,was arrested in Logan airport in Boston

    Rahul was having an Italian passport and was carrying suitcase full of dollars. Some say it was about was it $2 million. Rahul and his girl friend was th...

    Recently posted . 7K views . 7 min read
     

     Article
    TOP 10 GYM EQUIPMENT BRANDS IN INDIA 2017

    True – Tr...

    Recently posted . 6K views . 83 min read
     

     
     

    More in National

     Article
    Dilip Kumar stable

    Veteran actor Dilip Kumar, who was admitted to a hospital on Sunday, is currently stable.  

    Recently posted. 439 views . 0 min read
     

     Article
    Pregnant Goat Dies After Being Raped by 8 Men in Haryana's Mewat

    Reports suggest the group of accused are drug addicts who abused the animal at a deserted house, following which the pregnant animal died.  

    Recently posted. 500 views . 1 min read
     

     Article
    Air India plans to take Rs 3,250 crore loans for ‘urgent’ capital needs

    National carrier Air India plans to take short-term loans of up to Rs 3,250 crore to meet “urgent working capital requirements”, according to a docume...

    Recently posted. 633 views . 4 min read
     

     Video
    These Traffic Cops Have Got Some Swag!



    Recently posted . 957 views
     

     Reviews
    Top 10 Schools in Noida



    Recently posted . 1K views . 57 min read
     

     Article
    Doormats & Rugs With Image Of Golden Temple Allegedly Being Sold Online, People Are Outraged

    Remember there was outrage when doormats with a picture of the Indian flag were being sold on Amazon? A similar incident took place on December 18 when there was ...

    Recently posted. 587 views . 2 min read
     

     Article
    Bangladesh scientists decode hilsa fish genome, here's all you need to know

    A group of researchers in Bangladesh are claiming to have mapped the genome sequence of the popular hilsa fish. The research was carried out by two teams separately...

    Recently posted. 618 views . 1 min read
     

     
     
     

       Prashnavali

      Thought of the Day

    We know what we are, but know not what we may be.
    William Shakespeare

    Be the first one to comment on this story

    Close
    Post Comment
    Shibu Chandran
    2 hours ago

    Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

    November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
    Shibu Chandran
    2 hours ago

    Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

    November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
    Shibu Chandran
    2 hours ago

    Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

    November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
    Shibu Chandran
    2 hours ago

    Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

    November 28, 2016 05:00 IST


    ads
    Back To Top