“Children in Abu Dhabi Crafting ‘Stone Seva’ Gifts for First Hindu Temple Inauguration Attendees”

Over 100 Indian school children in Abu Dhabi are immersed in painting “tiny treasure” stones, intended as gifts for attendees of the inauguration of the UAE’s first stone Hindu temple in the capital on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to inaugurate the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, marking the UAE’s first traditional Hindu stone temple.

These children have been engaging in “stone seva” at the temple site every Sunday for three months, and are now adding the finishing touches to the gifts, dubbed “tiny treasures.”

For 12-year-old Tithi Patel, stone seva is a weekend activity she enjoys with her friends. She explained the process, stating, “We collected leftover stones and small rocks at the temple site. We then washed and polished them followed by a layer of primer and then paint. Each rock has a motivational quote on one side and any part of the temple painted on the other side.”

Eight-year-old Reva Karia, involved in packing the stones into gift boxes, described the initiative as “tiny treasure” because the children are crafting them with their tiny hands. She believes these stones will serve as memorable souvenirs for guests visiting the temple.

Eleven-year-old Aarnav Thakkar emphasized that the designs painted on the stones reflect affirmation, peace, love, and harmony. He mentioned that the stones are varnished to ensure longevity.

Thakkar added that this activity will continue for a few more months, ensuring that visitors to the temple during the initial months after its opening receive these gifts.

The BAPS Hindu Mandir, situated in Abu Mureikhah near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, spans around 27 acres of land. Construction began in 2019, with the land for the temple being donated by the UAE government.

The UAE currently hosts three other Hindu temples in Dubai. The BAPS temple, characterized by its expansive stone architecture, will be the largest in the Gulf region.

Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to embark on a two-day visit to the UAE, commencing on Tuesday, during which he will inaugurate the grand temple on February 14.

The temple’s facade features intricate marble carvings against a sandstone backdrop, crafted from over 25,000 pieces of stone by skilled artisans from Rajasthan and Gujarat. Additionally, 40,000 cubic feet of marble have been utilized for the temple’s interiors.