Entertainment
Akshay Kumar visits Abu Dhabi temple site
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar paid a visit to the developing structure of the Hindu temple coming up in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The temple is being built by a Swaminarayan sect, known as BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) on the outskirts of the UAE capital. Akshay Kumar was accompanied by veteran film producer Vashu Bhagnani and businessman Jiten Doshi.
Besides offering a prayer, they got a tour of the site while attending a Rivers of Harmony exhibition. Kumar and the troupe got to lay down a brick in the foundation of the temple. They have now joined more than 40,000 people who have placed their bricks to help in the construction of the Mandir by “giving harmony a hand.”
Known for his habit to rise early, Kumar reached the site at 8am and was to be a 40-minute session, but he stayed along with chief host Swami Brahmaviharidas, the head of BAPS Hindu Mandir, for two hours.
The priest shared details of the project’s completion and development with the temple’s board of directors and key volunteers in the audience. The temple is due to open in February of 2024.
Going with the feel of the company around the site, the Hindu cleric described the temple as “this project is scripted in heaven and is now being screen played here on earth.” In reel life, Kumar featured in the film Ram Setu last year, which was about an atheist archaeologist who turns into a believer. Kumar and Bhagnani are collaborating for the sequel of the latter’s film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, to be directed by Abu Dhabi regular Ali Abbas Zafar.
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Swami Brahmaviharidas led the delegation as they explored the breathtaking design and architecture, crafted entirely from magnificent pink Rajasthani stones and Italian marble, without a trace of steel.
According to witness accounts, Kumar was awe-inspired when Swami Brahmaviharidas unveiled the intricate carvings beneath each of the seven spires housing different deities. The carvings wrap around the plinth of the Mandir and depict the life story of the respective divinity.
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The temple is not just about Hindu civilisation alone. There is a spot where 14 international value tales from ancient civilizations are being carved – a unique feature not found in any other Mandir around the world.
Brahmaviharidas shared a tale from the Babemba tribe in Africa; the story reflects the concept of Ubuntu, which translates to “humanity towards others”. In this tribe, if anyone commits a crime, the entire tribe stops their work and circles the person who committed the crime for two days.
During this time, they speak only of the person’s praises, refusing to acknowledge the wrongdoing. This story struck a chord with Kumar, to which he said, “this is very heart touching.”
While Kumar took time out to greet the workers on the site, he and the priest expressed gratitude for the generosity of Sheikh Mohamed Al Nahyan and support of India prime minister Narendra Modi.
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