Photos: Grand opening of BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Brahmavihari Swami during the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu Mandir temple in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the BAPS Hindu Mandir - Middle East’s biggest and Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple on Wednesday evening. On Wednesday at the inauguration, Modi was joined by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the present spiritual guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, which built the Dh350 million BAPS Hindu Mandir on land donated by the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, when he was the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi during Modi’s UAE visit in 2015.

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the temple model in February 2018, marking the project's launch.

The temple structure in Abu Dhabi has been constructed with donations from the Indian community members and represents the religious tolerance and harmony upheld by the UAE’s leadership.

Modi, arrived to the temple site in Abu Mureikhah area for the historic public dedication ceremony of the BAPS Mandir during his seventh visit to the UAE.

Earlier in the morning, the BAPS priests took part in the consecration ceremony of the temple.

Devotees blow conch shells before the opening of the first stone-built Hindu temple in Abu Mureikha, 40 kilometres (25 miles) northeast of Abu Dhabi. Thousands of devotees and VIP guests worldwide witnessed the temple's official opening ceremony, an invite-only event.

Guests at the inauguration of BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

While Modi joined the head priests for religious ceremonies, special prayers were held simultaneously across thousands of temples across the world under BAPS.

The 55,000 sqm temple features intricate architecture and delicate carvings.

Artisans carved the columns and pillars in stones in Rajasthan and Gujarat in India. The pink rocks are from Rajasthan, and the marble is from Macedonia and Italy.

More than 20,000 tonnes of stone and marble were shipped to Abu Dhabi in more than 700 containers over the past three years. Above, attendees arrive for the inauguration of the newly-constructed BAPS Hindu Mandir temple in Abu Dhabi.