New Delhi
The UAE's first Hindu temple celebrated its first Maha Shivratri festival on Friday, almost a month after its opening.
While citizens thronged Shiva temples to offer their obeisance to the Lord on Friday, the Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi also witnessed a large number of devotees gathering from various parts of the Gulf country to offer prayers at the BAPS temple.
The temple constructed and managed by Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) was inaugurated on February 14 in the presence of thousands of Hindu saints, Mahant Swami Ji Maharaj and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On Friday, the temple was decorated in vibrant colors on the occasion of Shivratri, as thousands of devotees gathered there to celebrate the august day.
The celebrations at the temple began with prayers to Lord Shiva and ended with 'Havan'. Throughout the day, the temple witnessed a rush of devotees lining up at the gates to have 'darshan' of the deity.
After offering prayers at the temple, many devotees said they were impressed by the grandeur and majesty of the recently built Hindu Babs Temple.
Maha Shivratri, an annual Hindu festival, is considered the holiest day for worshiping Lord Shiva.
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On this day, devotees collect water from the Ganges and offer it to the deity.
