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First Anniversary Celebration of BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi, UAE

16 Feb 2025

First Anniversary Celebration of BAPS Hindu Mandir

BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi stands as a testament to the transformation of a vision into a home of harmony.

Over 11,000 people visited the Mandir and 2,000 came from across the UAE and around the world to participate in the programme 'Mandir: The Heart of Community'

Swami Brahmaviharidas warmly welcomes Sunjay Sudhir, who traveled from Delhi for the event.

Swami Brahmaviharidas, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court, Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, HE Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, and HE General Ahmed Saif bin Zaitoon Al Muhairi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, at the Harmony Wall.

Swami Brahmaviharidas, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, HE Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, and HE General Ahmed Saif bin Zaitoon Al Muhairi gather to capture an iconic moment.

Members of the community set a divine tone for the evening with devotional songs.

Swami Brahmaviharidas warmly welcomes His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance, who traveled from Portugal to attend the event.

Leaders of the community welcome HE Sheikh Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance, to the evening program.

Swami Aksharatitdas welcomes UAE leadership, community figures, and guests.

HE Sheikh Nahayan highlights the Mandir’s role in fostering unity, harmony, and service. Stating 'You have constructed a handsome temple' and that 'the temple, in its short history, has already become the heart of the Indian community in the UAE.'

"The temple has become a symbol of the tolerance and peaceful coexistence that distinguishes the UAE" - "Happy First Anniversary. I look forward to celebrating many future anniversaries with you."

Swami Brahmaviharidas and HE Sheikh Nahayan share a heartfelt embrace, reflecting more than a decade of friendship.

Swami Brahmaviharidas presents the Crystal of Gratitude to HE Sheikh Nahayan.

Swami Brahmaviharidas, alongside HE Sheikh Nahayan, presents the Crystal of Gratitude to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Tahnoon.

Swami Brahmaviharidas, alongside HE Sheikh Nahayan, present the Crystal of Gratitude to HE Dr. Mugheer.

Swami Brahmaviharidas, along with HE Sheikh Nahayan, present the Crystal of Gratitude to HE General Ahmed Al Muhairi.

Swami Brahmaviharidas, joined by HE Sheikh Nahayan, present the Crystal of Gratitude to HE Sunjay Sudhir.

Swami Brahmaviharidas and HE Sunjay Sudhir enjoy the evening program.

HE Sunjay Sudhir highlights the mandir's significance in India-UAE relations stating, 'God created the sky, and God created the earth, and in between the Mandir sits like a precious jewel... it is the most tangible form of India and UAE friendship, one that you can feel'

Swami Brahmaviharidas and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Tahnoon engaged in the evening program.

Swami Brahmaviharidas, HE Sheikh Nahayan, HH Sheikh Tahnoon bin, HE Dr. Mugheer, and UAE leadership come together to celebrate the inaugural anniversary of the Mandir.

Mufaddal Ali, a prominent businessman from the Bohra community, shares his transformative experience at the Mandir.

Highlighting the Mandir's inclusivity, Mufaddal Ali shares his experience of interfaith harmony.

Zubin Karkaria, Founder & CEO of VFS Global, reflected on how effortlessly the Mandir instills values within the community and his own family.

Hursh Patel shares his experience of how the Mandir helped him overcome his doubts and cultivate inner strength and self-faith.

Umesh Raja speaks about the magic of the mandir, and its ability to generate faith in others and faith in God.

The Mandir welcomed 11,000 visitors that day, with over 2,000 attendees participating in the event.

The assembly.

Swami Brahmaviharidas highlights the Mandir's impact during its first year.

Swami Brahmaviharidas shares a personal story about HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, highlighting their vision of a value based society.

Swami Brahmaviharidas expresses his deep gratitude, recounting the generosity and unwavering support of the leadership of the UAE, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Swami Brahmaviharidas concludes with a heartfelt reflection: 'Just as a baby learns to walk at one and talk at two, the Mandir has just begun to walk, and next year it will begin to talk to the world of greater harmony.

Swami Brahmaviharidas discusses the importance of Inner Happiness as revealed by HH Mahant Swami Maharaj.