BAPS Abu Dhabi Temple Live: 'Golden chapter' for UAE, says PM Modi

"UAE has written a golden chapter. The inauguration of the temple has years of hard work and dreams of many are connected with the temple. Swaminarayan's blessings are also connected..." said PM Modi in his speech after inauguration of the temple.

PM Modi along with UAE Tolerance Minister Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan were felicitated at the temple following the inuguration ceremony

After inaugurating the temple, PM Modi met artisans who put their valuable efforts and skill into making the BAPS temple.

After he inaugurated UAE's first Hindu temple, PM Modi interacted with children gathered at the temple.

PM Modi has inaugurated the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Here are some moments when he can be seen praying at the temple.

PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated UAE's first Hindu temple

PM Modi has paid his respects and offered flowers to Lord Swaminarayan at the BAPS temple.

PM Modi has reached the venue in Abu Dhabi. He was welcomed by BAPS' Ishwarcharandas Swami.

No metal has been used in the construction of the temple and fly ash has been used to fill up the foundation, replacing 55 per cent of cement in the concrete mix, reducing the carbon footprint of the temple.

While the outer walls of the temple are made using sandstone from India, the interior, made of white Italian marble, is adorned with intricately designed and carved columns and walls.

Other Noteworthy architectural elements include two ghumats (domes), 12 samrans (dome-like structures) and 402 pillars. The two ghumats are the "Dome of Peace" and "Dome of Harmony".

"The Dome of Harmony showcases five natural elements—water, fire, air, earth and space," said Som Singh, a stone artisan at the temple.

Seven spires representing seven emirates of the UAE, carvings of camels, and national bird falcon, are part of the architecture of the first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi, to give equal representation to the host country.

According to temple authorities, seven shikhars (spires) have been built at the temple representing the seven Emirates that come together to form the UAE.

“The seven spires have idols of deities, including Lord Ram, Lord Shiv, Lord Jagannath, Lord Krishna, Lord Swaminarayan (considered a reincarnation of Lord Krishna), Tirupati Balaji and Lord Ayappa. The seven shikhars represent the seven emirates of UAE,” Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of international relations for BAPS, told PTI.

The consecration of the idols began at the temple this morning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the dedication ceremony at the grand temple in the evening, which will mark the culmination of the “Festival of Harmony” which began at the temple on February 10.

The Hindu temple has been built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha on a 27-acre site in Abu Mreikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway.

The land for the temple was donated by the UAE government and its construction as per reports, cost around $7000 million (₹700 crore).

Click here for the full schedule of Modi's UAE visit, including the Hindu temple inauguration.

The 13.5 acres of land was gifted by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ‘a Muslim king,’ for the construction of a Hindu temple, said a BAPS spokesperson.

What makes this temple special is the beautiful confluence of religions that led to its construction.

Read more here