Over 20,000 devotees and community members from across the seven emirates of the UAE came to the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the auspicious festival of Rakshabandhan with faith and devotion.
The celebrations unfolded in three phases in three places. A special assembly of several thousand workers where ‘rakhis’ were tied by BAPS swamis; special spots in the Mandir foreground were created where hundreds of sisters tied ‘rakhis’ to their brothers; and BAPS swamis visited dozens of factories and companies to pray for protection and tie ‘rakhis’ to each and every worker.
The celebrations at the BAPS Hindu Mandir featured two captivating programs, morning and evening. Brimming with traditional devotional songs presented by talented volunteers and community members, they filled the Mandir with an atmosphere of joy and reverence. Following these inspiring performances, Brahmaviharidas Swami addressed the gatherings, “Rakshabandhan celebrates one of the noblest human emotions of lifelong protection. More than 5,000 ‘rakhis’ were handmade with love by BAPS women devotees to gift to each recipient, symbolizing protection. Even this Mandir is handmade with love! Hence, in a place of great love and harmony, we pray that may God guide and guard this beautiful nation, its leadership, and all those who call it their home.”
One humble worker summarized the voice of thousands with these words, “Even though I am many miles away from my home, I feel honored that the swamis tied a rakhi on my wrist. It is as if I am transported back to my village in Gujarat with my sister around me.”
The Rakshabandhan celebrations at the BAPS Hindu Mandir were a living example of how traditions can foster harmony, gratitude, and shared humanity across the UAE.