Preparations on for Modi's mid-Feb UAE visit for BAPS temple inauguration

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the middle of February for a special occasion. Apart from attending a big gathering of the Indian diaspora in the Middle eastern nation, he will also take part in the dedication ceremony of a large Hindu temple.

Organisers of the two events were spending sleepless nights ahead of the Indian leader's much anticipated visit to ensure that everything went perfectly well.

Modi is scheduled to address the Indian community event, 'Ahlan Modi' (Hello Modi), at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed stadium on February 13. The next day -- February 14 -- he will take part in a dedication ceremony at the BAPS Hindu temple in the capital of the UAE which is currently getting the finishing touches. On January 22, Modi inaugurated the Ram temple in the northern Indian holy town of Ayodhya, generating as much excitement among Hindus not only in India but worldwide.

Read: Modi to inaugurate BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi on February 14

“As construction of the religious campus nears completion, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi are scheduled to inaugurate the Mandir on 14 February 2024,” a release from BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said. The Indian PM accepted the invitation to attend the temple's inauguration from some of the top seers and officials of BAPS at his official residence in New Delhi.

Read: Brahmaviharidas Swami thanks UAE rulers’ generosity, Modi’s integrity for BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi

Indian ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, said they are expecting tens of thousands of people to throng the site of the 'Ahlan Modi' event. A registration portal has been set up to smoothen the process and transport is being arranged from all emirates for participants to reach the venue.

The event is being organised collaboratively by 150 Indian community organisations in the UAE. A cultural programme involving 400 local talents has been put together to add colour to the show.

In the last three years, over 2,000 artisans from the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat have carved the 402 white-marble pillars for the BAPS temple. Earlier, addressing a gathering of diplomats invited to celebrate the Republic Day on January 26, Sudhir said over 3.5 million Indians call UAE their home, thanks to the affection shown by the country's leaders.

“One of the most significant developments in bilateral relations in recent years is the construction of the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi,” he said.

“The temple, which is expected to be inaugurated by prime minister Modi on the 14th of February, will be a spiritual oasis. Standing on top of a hillock on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, the temple will be a testimony to the enduring tradition of peace and tolerance as aspired by our forefathers Mahatma Gandhi and Sheikh Zayed,” he added.

As announced by the ambassador then, a preview of the temple for ambassadors and their spouses from 42 countries to catch a glimpse of the architectural marvel spread 27-acre construction site before its inauguration was organised on Monday (29).

The foundation for the first traditional BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi was laid on April 20, 2019. Later, in May 2023, diplomats from over 30 countries visited the under-construction temple site.

(With PTI inputs)