On the first day of the holy month of Shravan, a special ceremony was conducted at the BAPS Hindu Mandir site in Abu Dhabi. Following pandemic protocols, the small gathering witnessed the auspicious ceremony. The first stone of the hundreds of tons of carved and semi-carved stones that have arrived from India was symbolically sanctified by Pujya Ishwarcharandas Swami. Addressing the gathering, Brahmaviharidas Swami thanked the leadership of the UAE and India, and the donors, dignitaries, well-wishers and volunteers. His Holiness Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj blessed the occasion from India. Everyone present, including consultants and contractors, prayed for this historic and iconic spiritual project of global harmony. Sanctified flowers were showered in all directions for the smooth progress and timely completion of the mandir.