Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is on a tour to the United Arab Emirates, visited the BAPS Hindu temple on Wednesday, September 10. He expressed his pleasant surprise at the temple’s beauty.
Describing the BAPS temple as an “impossible miracle,” the Union Minister showered praise on its stunning beauty, creativity, and inclusiveness.
Pradhan also expressed deep respect for the selfless service of the BAPS saints and the Swaminarayan Sanstha for this “civilisational achievement” in a foreign country.
He stated that the temple serves as a beacon of India’s timeless values of harmony, peace, and spirituality on the global stage and and also expressed deepest respect for the selfless seva of BAPS Swamis. He also noted that the temple not only showcases extraordinary craftsmanship but also represents the devotion and sacrifice of countless volunteers and devotees.
The Union Minister said the temple will forever be a symbol of India’s cultural pride and spiritual strength, connecting people across nations and reminding the world of the power of faith and service. He also believes it will be a source of inspiration for younger generations.
Pradhan shared the photos of his first visit to the temple on his X hanle, mentioning that it was a matter of his pride for a devotee of Lord Jagannath like him to visit the temple.
“The BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi is an architectural marvel. The temple is an embodiment of India’s ‘Shilpa Shastra’ and is adorned with intricate carvings. Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s Rath Yatra and the joyous procession are also depicted on the exterior walls. These carvings celebrate the timeless spirit and culture of Odisha,” the Union Minister wrote in a post.
“The spiritual values of Rath Yatra in the heart of UAE is a matter of great pride for every Jagannath devotee,” he added.
The Baps Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi is an architectural marvel.
The temple is an embodiment of India’s ‘Shilpa Shastra’ and is adorned with intricate carvings. Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s Rath Yatra and the joyous procession is also depicted on the exterior walls. These carvings… pic.twitter.com/xzvfvPEpgE
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 10, 2025
The BAPS Mandir is the first Hindu temple in the Gulf nation. Since its inauguration in February 2024, the temple has welcomed 2.2 million visitors and hosted numerous gatherings of devotees.
Pradhan was on an official two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates from September 10 to September 11. The two-day visit was aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in the field of education fostering Academic Excellence and Innovations, and exploring new avenues of partnership to meet the aspirations of the students and youths of both the countries.
During the visit, Pradhan will engaged with key UAE leaders, Ministers, policy-makers, academicians, and representatives from Indian and UAE institutions to advance the partnership in education, innovation, and knowledge exchange.
