Abu Dhabi's First Hindu Temple Which Narendra Modi Will Inagurate: Here's all you need to know

BAPS Hindu Mandir, the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14 in Abu Dhabi.

At the airport, Mahant Swami Maharaj was warmly welcomed by Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance for the UAE, as per the official press release of BAPS Hindu Mandir. "His Excellency said to His Holiness, 'Welcome to the UAE. Our nation is blessed with your presence. We are touched by your kindness and we feel your prayers.' In response, Mahant Swami Maharaj warmly replied, 'We are touched by your love and respect. The leaders of the UAE are great, good, and large-hearted'." the release added as quoted by news agency ANI.

It is the UAE's first Hindu temple.

BAPS Hindu Mandir is made from pink Rajasthan sandstone and white Italian marble stone, carved in India and transported to UAE for assembly.

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, donated 13.5 acres of land for the construction of the temple during PM Modi's visit to the country in 2015.

In January 2019, the UAE Government allocated a further 13.5 acres of land, thus making a total of 27 acres of land gifted for the temple. The foundation stone for the temple was laid by PM Modi in 2017.

Seven spires of the temple each symbolise an Emirate of the UAE.

The temple's complex includes a visitor centre, prayer halls, thematic gardens, learning areas etc. The temple has 100 sensors installed in its foundation and more sensors in other areas to check seismic activity, temperature changes, etc. The cost of the construction of the temple is estimated to be 400 million United Arab Emirates dirham.