to addConstruction of the BAPS Hindu Mandir and campus, comprising the Welcome Centre, Pramukh Sabhagruh, offices, residences for Swamishri and swamis, kitchen and dining areas and other areas was completed due to the diligent and dedicated efforts and support of innumerable people.
The evening Day of Gratitude assembly was a small gesture to acknowledge the people whose selfless contributions enabled the project completion.
Speeches by Anandswarup Swami, Uttamnilay Swami, Sanjaybhai Parikh, Sumitbhai Bheda, Ashokbhai Kotecha and Aksharatit Swami paid heartfelt appreciation to the dedication, devotion and efforts of all the BAPS men and women volunteers, the artisans and labourers, government officials and project contractors and engineers, and the swamis involved in the design, planning and onsite execution of the project. Also, Brahmavihari Swami read and elaborated upon the historic letter written by Mahant Swami Maharaj in December 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The biggest appreciations were expressed towards Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj.
Uttamnilaydas Swami said, “On every stone of the mandir we can see the spirit of dedication of the devotees and volunteers. These volunteers and devotees have dedicated their entire time, beyond their jobs, beyond their daily lives. By giving their complete time to the construction work of the mandir, they have helped to successfully complete the mandir.”
Sumeetbhai Bheda elaborated upon the significant and varied contributions of the women devotees and volunteers in completing the mandir and added, “This 108-foot-tall temple touches everyone's heart today. But at the foundation of this temple is the service of saints and devotees. Also, in such a big project, women have contributed as much men in so many ways. Once, the setting Sun was asked, ‘If you set, who will bring light to the Earth?’ No one answered, but a small lamp came forward... Today, lit by many such lamps [volunteers], this temple is shining brightly.”
The evening Day of Gratitude assembly was a small gesture to acknowledge the people whose selfless contributions enabled the project completion.
Narayanmunidas Swami said, “This temple is a symbol of love, peace, and dialogue. It is also a symbol of cooperation. There are many experiences in which saints and devotees, Hindus and Muslims have cooperated.”
Ashokbhai Kotecha said, “It has been a long journey. And when we talk about the Festival of Harmony, there were so many things to do with thousands of people coming in. We depended on our friends from different parts, different sectors of the society to help us out. And they did not let us down.”
Aksharatitdas Swami said, “In the Vachanamrut, Bhagwan Swaminarayan teaches us the spiritual necessity of gratitude. Heartfelt gratitude is a spiritual act of the humble realization that nothing is done by one’s self and that Bhagwan himself inspires countless souls to do his work. For ultimately... he is karta-harta… the all-doer.”
Brahmaviharidas Swami, “Even if you gathered 8 billion people, and all the enlightened sadhus, who would have the heart to do a sankalp that may there be a temple in Abu Dhabi... Pramukh Swami Maharaj was a saint who saw what no humans could see and he saw a temple in Abu Dhabi. Pramukh Swami always encouraged. And he based everything on truth, transparency and trust. The most important thing was the love, encouragement, vision and sankalp of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. And when the world stopped believing in themselves, Mahant Swami Maharaj believed in the BAPS Abu Dhabi Mandir and that is the power of the guru.”