Over 2,500 workers received rakhi (Photo: Gulf News)
A large number of members of the Indian community gathered at the newly opened BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi to celebrate Raksha Bandhan, a Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, Gulf News reported.
The event, which took place on Sunday, August 19, attracted over 2,500 believers and workers from labour camps across the seven emirates.
The celebrations included a rakhi-tying ceremony and traditional bhajans (Hindu religious music) performed to the accompaniment of instruments like tabla, harmonium and sitar.
Temple head Pujya Brahmavihari Swami addressed the participants, highlighting the cultural significance of Raksha Bandhan and offering prayers.
“On this auspicious day, I pray that God will guide and protect every worker, every visitor, every leader of this beautiful country and all those who call the UAE home,” Swami said.
The temple team also visited labour camps to interact with workers who could not participate in the previous day’s celebrations.
The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is a traditional Hindu temple built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The temple is the first of its kind in the UAE and was inaugurated on 14 February.