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‘21st century's greatest collaboration’: K. Annamalai heaps praises on Abu Dhabi BAPS Mandir
In June, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri hailed the temple as an emblem of shared values during his visit.
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Staff Reporter - Wed, 20, Aug 2025
- 00:18 EDT
- 15
Annamalai is the former state President of BJP Tamil Nadu / BAPS Website
K. Annamalai, a senior politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party, visited the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Aug. 15, India’s Independence Day and hailed the India-UAE collaboration between BAPS and the UAE crown as the greatest collaboration of the century.
Annamalai is a former IPS officer and Indian politician who served as the Tamil Nadu BJP President until April 2025. Touted as a close confidante of the Party's central leadership, he is speculated to be appointed as a National General Secretary of the Party.
Garlanded and accorded a traditional welcome by Swami Brahmaviharidas, Annamalai was moved by the mandir’s profound architectural and spiritual features.
Reflecting on the global collaboration behind the mandir, he said, “This is truly a story for the ages, and for history. When we look back 200 years from now, this will stand as one of the greatest collaborations of the 21st century – between a BAPS guru who opened his heart and reached out, and the rulers of another faith who responded with generosity, resulting in this masterpiece.”
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He also attended the award-winning audio-visual immersive show, ‘The Fairy Tale’, which spreads the message of harmony and tolerance.
After offering prayers at each of the seven interior shrines, he emphasized that the mandir is not only a sacred place of devotion, but also a living example of India’s enduring values of tolerance, non-violence, and harmony in diversity.
Annamalai urged everyone to visit the mandir and experience the togetherness it promotes / BAPS WebsiteTalking about his visit, Annamalai said, “I strongly advise all who walk through the mandir to fully embrace the experience and the togetherness it promotes. I could feel a deep sense of connection."
He added, "Not only did I see our brothers and sisters from Bharat worshiping the seven beautiful deities within, but it felt as if I was walking into the north, east, south, west, and central parts of Bharat. When anything is done with purity and the blessings of the divine, miracles happen.”
He lauded the selfless efforts of the sadhus and volunteers and said, “This realization has come about through the dedication of the swamis and volunteers. It is their faith in their gurus, and sheer persistence that made this miracle possible. Seeing it in person, I am truly mesmerized and proud to be a Hindu today.”
Talking about the architectural brilliance behind the Mandir, the politician said, “This is one of the most beautiful pieces of carving I have seen in recent times. I feared we had lost the art of such intricate carvings, but this mandir revives that legacy. It is living proof of what Bharat was capable of centuries ago. To see it alive today is profoundly inspiring.”
Annamalai's visit comes just months after India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the temple. Accompanied by Joint Secretary for Gulf Affairs Aseem Raja Mahajan, Indian Ambassador Sanjay Sudhir, and senior officials, Misri described the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi as “a Mandir every Indian must visit”.
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