Dubai: Mahant Swami Maharaj, the present spiritual guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurated the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Wednesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Mahant Swami Maharaj presided over the Vedic ceremony at the iconic temple situated on 27 acres of land in Abu Dhabi. Constructed with pink sandstone, it stands as one of the largest temples in the Middle East. Notably, Islam is the official religion of the UAE.

Modi was received by Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami, the project head of the BAPS Hindu Mandir, and Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami. Modi visited a 3D center, which offers a 12-minute immersive experience about the temple's vision and journey.

In a statement prior to his visit to the Middle East nation, PM Modi highlighted that the BAPS temple will serve as a lasting tribute to the shared values of harmony, peace, and tolerance between India and the UAE.

(Photo credit: Khaleej Times, Dubai)