PM Modi Calls UAE's BAPS Mandir 'A Symbol Of Global Unity & Communal Harmony' | Top Quotes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandir, in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday in the presence of spiritual leaders of the Swaminarayan sect.

The prime minister was dressed in a light pink silk dhoti and kurta paired with a sleeveless jacket and stole, while he participated in rituals of a ceremony to dedicate the temple to the people.

A Global Aarti was also performed simultaneously at over 1,200 temples of the Swaminarayan sect worldwide built by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) and PM Modi participated in the ‘aarti’. Earlier, he also met people from different faiths who contributed to the construction of the Hindu stone temple.

PM Modi, while addressing the inaugural event of BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, urged people to give a standing ovation to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Taking to X, PM Modi shared the pictures from the inauguration ceremony and called himself blessed for being able to be part of the ‘sacred’ moment.

Top Quotes From PM Modi’s Speech

PM Modi also addressed a gathering after the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.

• The PM said the BAPS temple will add another chapter to the identity of the UAE, which till now was known for Burj Khalifa, Future Museum, Sheikh Zayed Mosque and other hi-tech buildings.
• PM Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE Government for granting land for the temple.
• PM Modi said a large number of devotees will come and visit the temple in the coming times. This will also increase the number of people coming to the UAE and people-to-people connections will also increase, he said.
• PM Modi said this temple will be a symbol of unity and harmony. The role of the UAE government in the construction of the temple is commendable, he added.
• The PM said 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…,” he said.
• The PM also announced that the Vice-president of UAE has announced to give land in Dubai for the construction of a hospital for Indian workers.
• PM Modi said, “I worship Maa Bharti. ‘parmatma ne mujhe jitna samay dia hai uska har pal Maa Bharti kay liye hai’…”
• PM said this huge temple of Abu Dhabi is not just a place of worship, it is a symbol of the common heritage of humanity.
• PM said, “I have a father-son relationship with Pramukh Swami (Maharaj). For a very long time, as a paternal influence, I received his support and blessings. Even when I was a CM and then PM, he used to provide me with his guidance in clear words.”
• PM said, “Today is the holy festival of Basant Panchami. This is the festival of Maa Saraswati, which means goddess of wisdom, prudence and consciousness. I hope that this temple will welcome Basant for humanity and better future.”

About the BAPS Mandir

Built on a 27-acre site in Abu Mreikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, the BAPS temple has been constructed at a cost of around Rs 700 crore.

According to the temple authorities, the grand temple has been built as per an ancient style of construction and creation mentioned in the Shilpa and Sthapathya Shastras, Hindu scriptures which describe the art for mandir design and construction.

“The architectural methods have been clubbed with scientific techniques here. Over 300 high-tech sensors have been installed at every level of the temple to measure temperature, pressure and movement (seismic activity). The sensors will provide live data for research. If there is any earthquake in the region, the temple will detect it, and we will be able to study,” Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of international relations for BAPS, told PTI.

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.

In February 2018, the PM inaugurated the project for the temple and the construction began in December 2019.

What is BAPS Organisation?

BAPS stands for the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). The organisation is named after Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a religious leader who lived in the late 1700s.

It is a socio-spiritual Hindu faith with its roots in the vedas and was pioneered by Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830) in the late 18th century and established in 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj (1865-1951), according to the BAPS website.

The BAPS claims to run over 3,850 centres across the world and 1,100 temples. The organisation was also behind the Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, which is also the world’s largest Hindu temple outside of India.

(with agency inputs)