Not the First, PM Modi to inaugurate the Largest Hindu Temple in Middle East today.

Abu Dhabi temple: 10 key facts you must know about the largest Hindu temple in the Middle East.  

The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, which will be inaugurated by PM Modi February 14, is built at an estimated cost of Rs 700 crore. It is not the first Hindu temple in Middle East or UAE as falsely claimed by many media houses. There are dozens of Hindu Temples in middle East. 

Sankarshan Das | HENB | New Delhi | Feb 14, 2024:: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to inaugurate the iconic BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi on February 14. PM is now in his official visty in United Arab Emirates.

Spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj will preside over the inauguration of the temple which is the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East.

Let us explore 10 key things about the temple and its inauguration.

1. Situated in the Abu Mureikhah area, the temple is built at an estimated cost of Rs 700 crore. The pink Rajasthan sandstone and white Italian marble stone were carved in India and later assembled in the UAE.
2. The temple has been built on the 13.5 acres donated by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He donated the land during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country in 2015.
3. The BAPS or Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha is a  Hindu sect. Known for its reverence for Swaminarayan as an avatar of Lord Krishna, the sect spearheaded the construction.
4. The design is inspired by Vedic architecture and sculptures. Each of the seven spires of the temple symbolises an Emirate of the UAE.
5. The foundation stone was laid by PM Modi in 2017. The UAE Government allocated another 13.5 acres in January 2019.
6. There are prayer halls, a visitor centre, and thematic gardens among other spaces inside the temple.
7. It has around 100 sensors installed in its foundation. Also, there are more sensors in various other areas to check seismic activity and more.
8. Like the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, iron and steel have not been used to build this temple.
9. A registration portal has been set up to smoothen the inauguration event. Transport is being arranged from all emirates. The event is being organised by 150 Indian community organisations in the UAE.
10. The temple will also house classrooms, exhibition centres, and play areas for children.

A vedic ‘Yajna’ for harmony was held on February 12 ahead of the temple’s inauguration.

“Today we had a beautiful ‘Yajna’ for harmony. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is specially flying in to inaugurate this temple, which he initiated in 2015…The significance of this mandir is to breathe in a fresh air of harmony where cultures, religions, communities, and countries can coexist,” Brahmaviharidas Swami, Head of BAPS Hindu Mandir, had told ANI.

But, this BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir is not the first Hindu temple in Middle East or UAE as falsely claimed by many media houses. There are dozens of Hindu Temples in middle East. 

There are many Temples in Middle east countries except Saudi Arabia as no faith other than Islam is permitted to be practiced, no churches, temples, or other non-Muslim houses of worship are permitted in the country although there are nearly a million Christians as well as Hindus and Buddhists in the country and they are foreign workers.

Where as other countries like Bahrain has highest number of Hindu temples in Middle east.

• Bahrain has 8 Hindu Temples

See below: 200 Hundred years old temple in Manama Bahrain.

• UAE has 4 Temples in Dubai and 1 in Abu Dhabi (going to be inaugurated by PM Podi today).

See below: Famous Shiva and Krishna Temple in Dubai

• Hindu Temple at Jebel Ali (UAE)

• Oman has 2 Hindu temples in Muscat.

See below: Krishna Temple

• Qatar has only 1 Hindu temple in Doha Maa Durga Devi Mandir.
• Yeman has 1 Hindu Temple Shree Hingraj Mataji Mandir in Aden
• Iran Has only 1 Temple in Bandar Abbas build by Hindu British Soldiers.

But, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists face difficulties to perform Pujas outside the temples as it is not notified. In that context the mammoth BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi is a new addition to the Hindu aspirations loving in the middle east.

However, the consecration ceremony of BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi begins ahead of its inauguration by PM Modi today

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__Inputs ANI and one Mohammed Ismail’s post in Quora.