Foundation of first Hindu temple laid in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: A large number of Indians on Saturday participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony of the first Hindu temple in UAE's capital Abu Dhabi.

Indian Ambassador to UAE Navdeep Suri read out Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on the occasion, congratulating the Gulf nation for this initiative, according to the reports here.

In his message, Mtr Modi said, "On behalf of 130 crore Indians, it is my privilege to convey our greetings to my dear friend and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan."

"When complete, this temple will symbolise the universal human values and spiritual ethos that form a shared heritage of both India and the UAE," the Indian Prime Minister added in his message.

Mahant Swami Maharaj, spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), which is constructing the temple, presided over the ceremony following which sanctified bricks were placed at the main pooja sthal (place of worship).

 The Indian Ambassador said that the temple embodied the timeless Vedic values of Vasudhaivakutumbakam, the whole world is one family.

The plan to build the temple in Abu Dhabi was approved by the Abu Dhabi Government during Modi's first visit to the country in 2015.(UNI)