PM Modi Inaugurates BAPS Temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. The inauguration ceremony saw a large number of Indian-origin members clad in traditional attire. Moksha Rangnekar, adorned in traditional Maharashtrian saree, entered the temple dancing. People from her state were also present with her.

Having lived in the UAE for 32 years, Rangnekar, speaking to PTI, said, “Now we also have a temple for our Ganpati here. This is like organizing the Ganpati festival for us this year. We have been waiting for this for years.” The temple holds special significance for the Odia community as it is the first temple in the UAE with the idol of Lord Jagannath.

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Kartik Singh, working for an oil and gas company in the UAE, said, “There are temples in other parts of the UAE too, but there is no idol of Lord Jagannath. This is a wonderful moment for us.” Bengali-speaking women performed dhunuchi dance at the entrance gate of the temple.

Stupend Das, an engineer by profession, said, “When we welcome Goddess Durga, we dance. Today, we are inviting our God to the land we now call home.” Children from Tamil Nadu participated in the temple program wearing traditional Mundu. Bangalore’s B Gayathri Prakash has specially come here from India to attend the event.

It’s worth mentioning that this Hindu temple, built by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), is located near Al Rahba on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, spanning about 27 acres of land. The temple has been built at a cost of around 700 crore rupees.

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