Boost to cultural ties as Modi opens largest temple in UAE
Sandeep Dikshit
New Delhi, February 14
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the first project in realising the India-Middle East corridor as well as inaugurated the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) Mandir amidst Sanskrit shlokas and vedic hymns on the second day of his visit to the UAE on Wednesday.
Editorial: India-UAE bonhomie
Accompanied by the ruler of Dubai and Vice-President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the PM virtually laid the stone of Bharat Mart at Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone in Dubai.
To be built by the global ports major DP World, Bharat Mart will leverage Jebel Ali Port’s strategic location and strength in logistics. The PM said the Mart could play an important role in promoting India’s MSME exports to the Gulf, West Asia, Africa and Eurasia.
Foundation stone for Bharat Mart
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the UAE Vice-President virtually laid foundation stone of Bharat Mart at Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone in Dubai.
- The Mart will propel bilateral trade further by leveraging Jebel Ali Port’s strategic location and strength in logistics.
Before arriving for the inauguration of the temple in Abu Dhabi, the PM addressed the “World Governments Summit” and held bilateral meetings with Dubai ruler and UAE PM Sheikh Mohamed and Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina.
Calls it Symbol of shared heritage
We do not see hatred in diversity, we consider diversity as our specialty! In this temple, we will see a glimpse of diverse faiths at each and every step. —PM Modi
Welcomed in the evening on the temple premises by the BAPS Board of Directors, including spiritual leader Ishwarcharandas Swami, the PM offered the holy Ganga water, and accompanied by another BAPS spiritual leader, he performed aarti. The swami and the BAPS board members had met the Prime Minister here on December 28 to invite him to inaugurate the temple built on 27 acres leased by UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahan.
The PM then offered holy water to the idol of Maharaj Swami Narayan, the founder of the BAPS sect, and wrote ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ on a stone at the temple.
The 108-foot-tall temple features the traditional Nagara style of architecture and is capped by seven spires, each meant to represent one of the seven emirates of the UAE.
The temple has two central domes, named the Dome of Harmony and Dome of Peace. Its entrance has eight idols to symbolise the eight values foundational to Sanatana Dharma.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi’s talks with the UAE Vice-President covered trade, investment, technology, space, education and people-to-people ties. The PM expressed deep appreciation to Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for the grant of land for an Indian community hospital in Dubai to offer affordable healthcare facilities for the Indian blue-collar workers, stated an MEA release.
Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi reached Doha around midnight for a crucial meeting with the Emir of Qatar.
