Shri V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs of India, visited Expo 2020 and then the ongoing construction site of the BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi. At the site, he was greeted by Brahmavihari Swami, other swamis and the Mandir’s Board of Directors.
During his visit he observed the ongoing construction of the Mandir from the visitors’ viewing deck. He then witnessed the installation of an intricately carved marble pillar central to the final Mandir design.
During the site visit, he also viewed the ‘Rivers of Harmony’ exhibition. Through creative graphics and digital displays, the exhibition portrays global, national and personal harmony inspired and instilled by the making of the BAPS Hindu Mandir.
The minister watched special videos on the Mandir’s timeline and community services, which highlighted the Covid-19 relief work by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha involving over 11,000 volunteers globally.
While symbolically watering a plant, the minister expressed, “This BAPS Hindu Mandir will be a symbol of the age-old philosophy of India – Sanatana Dharma, uniting every religious, political and national philosophy through global harmony. All will be blessed by this historic effort that is being undertaken by the Swaminarayan Sanstha. I thank everybody, saints of the Sanstha, HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of UAE and PM Shri Narendra Modi.”