Indian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates(UAE), Sunjay Sudhir, hosted diplomats from around the world on Tuesday for a special tour of the BAPS Hindu Mandir Mandir in Abu Dhabi. The envoys were impressed by the temple’s unique architecture, intricate motifs, and its message of unity, peace, and harmony.
“Less than a month to go for the inauguration of the @AbuDhabiMandir @BAPS, Amb @sunjaysudhir hosted diplomatic corps from across the globe for a special tour of the temple. Envoys were awed by its unique architecture, intricate motifs and its message of unity, peace & harmony,” as per the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi’s official handle on ‘X’.
At the invitation of the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, and representatives from 42 nations convened at the 27-acre construction site of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi as per a release issued by the BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi. The visit aimed to foster intercultural understanding, goodwill, and respect, providing guests with the opportunity to witness the ongoing process of the Middle East’s inaugural traditional Hindu temple, symbolising universal principles of tolerance and harmony.
Ambassadors and senior diplomats from Argentina, Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chad, Chile, Cyprus the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, the European Union, Fiji, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Moldova, Montenegro, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Nigeria, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, the UAE, the UK, the US, Zimbabwe and Zambia, as per the official release.
Over 60 dignitaries were welcomed with garlands and traditional tying of a sacred thread, marking the significance of the presence.
Ambassador Sudhir expressed gratitude to the distinguished guests and shared his excitement about the mandir nearing completion. “It seemed impossible, but the dream has truly become a reality.”
Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of the BAPS Hindu Mandir project, provided an overview of the Mandir’s historical significance, construction process, and global impact in his keynote address. He emphasised the Mandir’s role as a powerful agent of interfaith and intercultural harmony.
Nepal’s Ambassador to the UAE, Tej Bahadur Chhetri, praised the Mandir as a “tirthbhumi”(place of pilgrimage), adding: “It is an inspiring building that teaches us about love, harmony and tolerance. It is something that we will gift to our future generations. Mahant Swami Maharaj is a great sadhu. Because of him, people were inspired to build this mandir, and it is a huge success”, as per the release.
To commemorate the visit, each guest received a beautiful stone hand-painted by children featuring an image of the Mandir. The ambassadors’ visit was deemed a significant step in promoting peace, fostering cultural interaction, and strengthening diplomatic ties between participating countries and the UAE.
As construction of the religious campus nears completion, Mahant Swami Maharaj and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are scheduled to inaugurate the temple on February 14, 2024.