Stone laid for 1st Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi

Dubai, April 20

Thousands of Indians participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony of the first Hindu temple in UAE capital Abu Dhabi today.

Mahant Swami Maharaj, spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, which is constructing the temple, presided over the ceremony following which sanctified bricks were placed at the place of worship.

Indian Ambassador to UAE Navdeep Suri read out PM Narendra Modi’s statement on the occasion, congratulating the Gulf nation for the 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 said. “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 added. — PTI

14-acre complex

• The temple, spread on 14 acres close to the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway, will be a cultural complex with art gallery, halls, library etc
• It will comprise seven towers representing the seven emirates in the UAE
• The stones for the temple will be carved by artisans in India and assembled in the UAE

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