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BAPS gears up to greet Modi

The priests are performing rituals as the inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to take place today evening…reports Asian Lite News

The consecration ceremony of the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi is being done ahead of its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later today. The priests are performing rituals as the inauguration is set to take place in the evening on Wednesday.

Ahead of the inauguration, a Vishwa Samvadita Yagna was held at the BAPS temple, where Vedic prayers were recited for global harmony. The event formed part of the ‘Festival of Harmony’ – a celebration of cultural diversity and spiritual unity.

“The Yagna, the first of its kind in the Middle East, brought together dignitaries, spiritual leaders, and members of the community to pray for peace, harmony and the well-being and success of everyone in the UAE and across the world,” said a Press statement.

Abu Dhabi, Feb 12 (ANI): A view of the first Hindu temple, ‘BAPS Mandir’ in Abu Dhabi on Monday. It will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14. (ANI Photo)

Explaining the importance of Yagna, Swami Brahmaviharidas, the Mandir project head said, “A yagna of this significance rarely takes place outside of India. The occasion served as the perfect way to pay tribute to the Mandir’s message of global unity, a value that His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj is deeply passionate about. The peace and coexistence that was evoked throughout the morning embodied a beacon of hope for future generations that the Mandir will reinforce.”

While thousands of people assembled at the temple complex for Yagna, this made for a wonderful sight amongst the rare backdrop of the raining skies. Notably, the town has been witnessing wet weather for some days but it hasn’t dampened the spirits of devotees and swamis.

PM Modi is currently on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates from February 13-14 will inaugurate the BAPS Hindu Temple today.

Upon his arrival at the airport, PM Modi was welcomed by UAE President Al Nahyan. The two leaders shook hands and hugged each other.

He thanked UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the BAPS Hindu Temple, and said that it reflects his love and respect for India.

Expressing gratitude for the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, PM Modi said that this couldn’t have been possible without his love and support.

“I consider the construction of BAPS temple here as a reflection of your love for India and your vision for the bright future of UAE. This couldn’t have been possible without your support. During our first meeting, I had just put up a simple request for you to look into it and you took a prompt decision, asking me to ‘Put your finger on any piece of land, you will get it’. Perhaps, this level of love and trust showcases the unique relationship,” PM Modi said.

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Boris, Priti Visit Neasden Temple For Diwali

This was the Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s fifth visit to the Neasden Temple, reports Asian Lite News

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel celebrated the Diwali festival at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir- popularly known as ‘Neasden Temple’.

This was the Prime Minister’s fifth visit to the temple. Johnson was greeted in a traditional Hindu manner with auspicious marks of welcome and goodwill before being taken on a brief tour of the stone temple complex, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said in a statement.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Home Secretary Priti Patel visit Neasden Temple during Diwali. (ALL PICS: Andrew Parsons/No 10 Downing Street)

Patel was similarly welcomed upon her arrival at the temple earlier and joined the UK Prime Minister to offer a fruit basket at the central shrine of the mandir’s inner sanctum, where they spent several minutes absorbing the peace and intricate architecture.

Thereafter, the distinguished guests proceeded to view some exhibits summarising Neasden Temple’s nationwide Covid-19 relief efforts – an initiative inspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).

The global Hindu leader had issued a call in March 2020 for all BAPS volunteers to serve the elderly, needy and vulnerable in local communities, and to ensure that everyone remained informed, safe and supported throughout the pandemic.

They later met some of these volunteers, including keyworkers keeping the nation safe and mobile, men and women who prepared and delivered food to the vulnerable, and the team keeping communities connected and informed through online services.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Home Secretary Priti Patel visit Neasden Temple during Diwali. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street

Sharing some of his impressions from his visit, Johnson said: “What His Holiness [Pramukh Swami Maharaj] has contributed to the United Kingdom has been incalculable. I see it here today at the Neasden Temple. I have been here many times, but I don’t think I have ever been here at a time when the Neasden Temple has been so central to the life of the whole of the London community.”

Patel said: “The Temple has been at the forefront of every single activity in the local community, but also at a time of a national crisis which, of course, the pandemic was.”

Before departing, Home Secretary Patel further spoke about the “incredible work” of the Mandir, which the Prime Minister lauded as “an absolutely perfect representation of community spirit in action”.

Sanjay Kara, a BAPS trustee in the UK, shared, “It was an honour to have the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary join the local community of British Hindus to celebrate Diwali at Neasden Temple. We offer our prayers that they can serve the public ably and look forward to working with them in support of our great nation.” (ANI)

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Home Secretary Priti Patel visit Neasden Temple during Diwali. Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street

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