Tolerance and harmony is the bedrock of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, say authorities ahead of its opening in February.
The intricate pink sandstone and white marble structure, which cost Dh350 million to build, will be inaugurated on February 14 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after it is consecrated and blessed by Hindu priests in a ceremony.
The Baps Swaminarayan Sanstha, the organisation that built the temple, described it as a sign of the openness and inclusion of the UAE, its leaders and people.
Harmony and tolerance “is the very soul of this nation”, Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of international relations for Baps, told the media at the temple site on Wednesday.
He thanked the UAE's leaders for granting permission for the temple to be built.
Swami Brahmaviharidas said the temple would foster peace and also signified the close ties between the UAE and India.
He praised the spirit of acceptance and the example set by UAE rulers from the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to President Sheikh Mohamed who granted land for the temple when he was the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
The swami described the UAE President as a “gentle leader with great space in his heart”. He recounted the then-Crown Prince's response when he was shown two plans for the temple – one contemporary and the other traditional.
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