More than 8,000 devotees and over 1,500 participants visited the special ‘Mandir Talks at 2’ assembly to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, marking two years of spiritual service, community connection and cultural harmony. The strong turnout reflected the community’s deep connection to the mandir and its growing role as a center for cultural and spiritual enrichment.
This year’s theme, ‘Mandir: Our Family, Our Future’, brought together community leaders, diplomats, families and children to reflect on the Mandir’s enduring role as a home of peace, values and harmony in the UAE.
The evening opened with kirtan bhakti by BAPS volunteers and community members. Then, welcoming everyone on behalf of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, Swami Brahmaviharidas compared the evolution of the Mandir to that of a newborn child. He explained that a baby begins to walk at one and but only begins to speak at two, “To the four million visitors it has welcomed in just two years – devotees, dignitaries, tourists, ambassadors and diplomats – from more than one hundred countries, its message has consistently been one of harmony. The former Ambassador of Egypt remarked on seeing a carving depicting Egyptian civilization on the Mandir wall, ‘The pyramids are great because they speak of the past. The Mandir is equally great because it speaks to the future. Without harmony, we will have no future.’ By the third year, at the age of three, the Mandir will set you free.”
Swami Brahmviharidas went on to share how families express deep gratitude for the Mandir and the country that made it possible, “Before, people had to travel to India; now India has come here. Families express deep gratitude to the UAE’s rulers and to the Mandir itself, saying that while the UAE once felt like a home away from home, it has now truly become home within our home.”
Then, H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan was honored for his longstanding commitment to cultural coexistence and social unity in the UAE. In his address, he noted, “This splendid temple stands not only as a place of worship, but as a powerful symbol of shared human values. This remarkable temple is also a powerful symbol of the deep and enduring friendship between India and the United Arab Emirates. It stands as a bridge between us, strengthening mutual understanding and deepening goodwill between our two nations.”
Praising the ruler of the UAE, H.E. Sheikh Nahyan said, “We are immensely proud of His Highness’s leadership, which calls on all people of every faith, culture, and background to look beyond our differences and recognize the fundamental unity of humankind. May this Mandir continue to be a source of spiritual strength, moral guidance, and community uplift for many generations to come.”
The ‘Mandir Talks’ programme featured segments exploring the Mandir’s impact across the world, within families, across communities, and into the future.
In ‘Mandir Talks to the World’, international voices reflected on the Mandir’s universal message.
H.E. Dr. Deepak Mittal, Ambassador of India to the UAE, described the Mandir as a place of gratitude for the Indian community, linking heritage with the future and strengthening ties between India and the UAE for generations to come. He noted that the Mandir is shaped not only by stone, but by friendship and culture, with its intricate details reflecting a shared commitment to coexistence.
H.E. Patricio Broughton, Ambassador of Chile to the UAE, described the Mandir as a reflection of universal values, where respect and responsibility across faiths strengthen social cohesion and human fraternity.
Mr Udaya Indrarathna, former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE, spoke of the Mandir as a cultural bridge, shaped as much by friendship as by architecture.
In ‘Mandir Talks to the Families’, a beautifully curated interactive audiovisual conversation captured and showcased how the Mandir has become a space that feels like another home, bringing families closer together.
Parents spoke of children moving freely, elders pausing without hurry, and visitors staying longer because the space felt welcoming. Families shared that before the Mandir, celebrations were often kept within the home, while today they feel comfortable celebrating more openly, with a deeper sense of connection. Acts of service such as Annakut seva were highlighted as meaningful bonding moments, particularly during preparation, when families work side by side and enjoy the shared effort.
In ‘Mandir Talks to the Communities’, community leaders reflected on the Mandir’s role as a welcoming home for traditions, rituals and cultural identity.
The discussions highlighted how the Mandir has become a unifying hub where diverse communities gather, celebrate festivals together, and preserve heritage while strengthening social bonds. Speakers noted that the Mandir fosters inclusion, simplifies community life, and provides a shared space where values, service and belonging naturally come together.
‘Mandir Talks to the Future’ brought forward the voices of children, whose reflections on goodness, respect and responsibility illustrated how the Mandir continues shaping young hearts with purpose, understanding and positivity.
The evening concluded with children leading the audience in four collective pledges for Self-Positivity, Family Values, National Harmony and Environmental Responsibility, symbolizing the Mandir’s mission to inspire individuals, strengthen families, unite communities, and cultivate a better world for future generations.
The second anniversary of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi reaffirmed its growing role as a global symbol of harmony, peacefully housed within the UAE. Through reflections on family, community and the future, the evening highlighted how the Mandir continues to serve not only as a place of worship, but as a living space where traditions are preserved, relationships are strengthened and generations are inspired. As the Mandir enters its third year, it stands as a powerful reminder of the UAE’s commitment to coexistence and of the enduring belief that faith, service and harmony can help build a more united and hopeful world.