Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi gets 13 more acres for parking

Dubai - The temple will be constructed on 13.5 acres of land, donated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

An additional 13 acres of land has been donated towards setting up parking facilities for the upcoming BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, announced Pujya Brahmaviharidas, principal in-charge of the construction of the Hindu mandir. 
The Government of Abu Dhabi has also identified an additional 10 acres for a period of four years to stage pre-construction activities such as storage of building materials. The temple will be constructed on 13.5 acres of land, donated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Speaking to members of the Indian community on Saturday at the Consulate General of India premises, Brahmaviharidas also announced that a foundation stone laying ceremony or 'shilanyas' ceremony will take place on April 13. The spiritual head of BAPS Mahant Swami Maharaj will be presiding the event.
Aksharatitdas Swami, a monk with BAPS, said the temple will be a space to discuss and learn about other cultures, and will have an in-built art gallery, exhibition halls, a virtual reality space, a library, six to seven massive prayer halls to accommodate different spiritual groups, classrooms for children, dedicated sports halls, a gym for children, and dining halls.
Brahmaviharidas said: "The complex will rise to the challenge of serving our community and outlive all of us for generations and centuries to come."
The committee members also appealed to the community leaders to donate funds towards the construction of the temple. A special financial scheme called 'My Seva card' will also be launched by the BAPS. The financial scheme will help donors 'serve as they spend', according to the spiritual monks.
BR Shetty, founder and chairman of NMC Healthcare and chairman on board of Mandir Ltd, a non-profit company registered with the government to construct, develop and manage the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha's temple said: "Let us match the expectations raised by the benevolent leaders of the UAE. A temple to match the UAE's skyline."
Consul-General of India to Dubai Vipul gave the closing address of the event.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

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