[India Today] PM Modi inaugurates BAPS Hindu temple, says ‘UAE won hearts of 140 crore Indians

The inauguration of the BAPS Mandir, Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple, by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The temple, built by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) society, is located on a 27-acre plot of land.

The temple is a stunning architectural marvel that features a unique blend of Indian culture and the United Arab Emirates’s (UAE) identity. The temple’s facade features elegant marble carvings set against a pink sandstone backdrop, crafted from more than 25,000 pieces of stone by skilled artisans from Rajasthan and Gujarat. The temple stands tall at 108 feet, being crowned with seven shikhars (spires) each representing one of the seven emirates of the UAE.

The temple complex, spread over 13.5 acres, is not just a place of worship but also a cultural hub, complete with a visitors’ centre, exhibitions, prayer halls, learning areas, sports facilities for children and young people, a food court, thematic gardens, a book and gift shop, and various other amenities.

The temple will open to the public on March 1. The inauguration of the temple is the focal point of PM Modi’s two-day visit to the UAE.

Source: Conversation with Bing
M Modi in Abu Dhabi inaugurates BAPS Hindu temple, says ‘UAE won ….
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pm-modi-inaugurate-abu-dhabis-first-hindu-temple-today-2501731-2024-02-14.