Dubai: Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food &
Public Distribution, and Textiles, inaugurated the India Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020.
Through his opening tour of the pavilion, he especially stopped by the model of the first
traditional Mandir to be designed in the UAE. Gazing upon the model he was astounded at
the intricate design. He went on to remark “This BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi will be
amazing once completed” and went on to enquire when it will be finished. He finally
commented that “this Mandir shall be a great addition to the UAE”.

Whilst each level of the India pavilion explores India’s different regional states and leading
corporations, the grand finale towards the end of the pavilion features a panoramic segment
of India’s most famous historical and spiritual landmarks. It includes heritage sites and grand buildings like the Red Fort, the Gwalior Fort, the Statue of Unity, Varanasi Ghat, Temple of Tanjore, the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple and many other landmarks that one can expect to visit on their journey through India.

As the minister made his way towards the exit of the grand pavilion, he arrived at a
translucent crystalline model of the historic and iconic BAPS Hindu Mandir, he was left in
admiration as he diligently analyzed in detail the 3D model of the forthcoming Mandir.
Across the day in addition to Piyush Goyal, there were numerous other dignitaries and leading businessmen visiting the Pavilion. Lakshmi Mittal, the Indian steel magnate based in the United Kingdom and Executive Chairman of the world's largest steelmaking company, was immensely impressed with the breathtaking Mandir exhibit and simply exclaimed,
“Fantastic!” upon seeing the model structure. Other notable businessmen that visited the
Mandir model include Anil Agarwal Chairman of Vedanta Resources as well as Vinod and
Karan Adani, both members of the Adani Group. Businesswoman from the FICCI FLO
(Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) also made an appearance at the
model of the Mandir.

Several important government officials had also admired the BAPS Hindu Mandir model that is currently under construction in Abu Dhabi. These include, Shri Vipul, Joint Secretary -Ministry of External Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Abdul Rahman AlBanna, His Excellency Mr. Pavan Kapoor, the Ambassador of India to the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Dr.Aman Puri, the Consulate General of India and a member of the Indian Foreign Service and former India Ambassador to the UAE, Navdeep Singh Puri who with great joy proclaimed this BAPS Hindu Mandir is “A dream project coming true!”

GENERAL His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, granted BAPS the permissions to develop an oasis of harmony in the form of a Hindu Mandir, which will serve the UAE’s mission of happiness and harmony. The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi will not just cater to the people of the UAE, but will globally welcome countless tourists from all walks of life.

Additionally, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister
Narendra Modi have wholeheartedly supported the building of this mandir. The leaders
convened on 10th February 2018 to finalize a design for the mandir. For over a century, the
UAE and India have had good trade relations, but this event marked the beginning of a new
era. Both countries deepened ties by transmitting a strong message to the world that cultural
and spiritual inclusiveness is the way forward for global harmony.

The construction of this mandir began in December 2019 with the blessings of His Holiness
Mahant Swami Maharaj. The current structure under construction stands at a height of 15-
feet. Upon completion, this magnificent mandir will be a marvel made of seven spires and five ornate domes, which shall serve the UAE and the world for millennia to come.
As the Mandir makes huge strides towards completion, the BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi
committee have taken the step to curate an on-site exhibition for all visitors and Expo 2020
guests. Guests will be able to immerse themselves in various themes of harmony through the
exhibition depicting how this Mandir will aim to create, promote, and sustain harmony in line with the UAE’s vision of tolerance. All visitors will be greeted by volunteers and received at an on-site reception lounge. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view the construction site and see history in the making before their very eyes.