Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has inaugurated a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi which is the first in the country and the largest in the region. It's considered as a significant milestone for the Indian community in the Middle East.
According to Indian news website, Narendra Modi is now in UAE for two days visit for the inauguration of the temple. On Wednesday he conducted rituals for the temple's inauguration.
The name of the temple is BAPS Hindu temple which Spread over 27 acres and built at a cost of over ₹ 700 crores.
The construction of the temple is also seen as a sign of the deepening relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates.
Modi praised UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during an address at a mega diaspora event on Tuesday and said that the then crown prince had agreed to donate land for the temple during the leaders' meeting in 2015.
He said, "I consider the construction of BAPS temple here as a reflection of your love for India and your vision for the bright future of UAE. This would not have been possible without your support.
"During our first meeting, I had made a simple request for you to look into it and you took a prompt decision, telling me 'put your finger on any piece of land, you will get it".
UAE president Al Nahyan donated 13.5 acres of land for the construction of the temple in 2015 and PM Modi had laid the foundation three years later. Construction began in 2019 after an additional 13.5 acres of land was donated earlier that year.
Built by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), the temple is located in Abu Mreikhah, near Al Rahba. The consecration ceremony of the idols began at the temple on Wednesday morning.
Temple authorities said seven shikhars (spires) have been built at the temple representing the seven emirates that form the UAE.
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