Abu Dhabi.  The BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi celebrated its first Raksha Bandhan festival with great pomp on Sunday. More than 2,500 devotees and workers from labor camps in seven emirates participated in it. The festival of Raksha Bandhan proved to be very joyful for these workers away from their families. Many companies brought their employees to the temple by buses. All the workers were taken care of and spent their time in the calm and spiritual atmosphere of the temple. 

More than 2 thousand devotees participated

At 2 pm, a crowd of workers started coming to the temple. The volunteer team of the temple welcomed everyone warmly and greeted them with folded hands. Everyone also had darshan of the Lord in the temple. Also, BAPS swamis welcomed them and tied rakhi on the right wrist of everyone. In the evening, an attractive program of traditional devotional songs was held. During this, volunteers and community members enthralled everyone present there by playing tabla, harmonium and sitar. 

Brahmavihari Swami addressed

Pujya Brahmavihari Swami, head of the BAPS Hindu Temple, addressed the gathering, explaining the cultural significance of Raksha Bandhan. He said, "On this auspicious day, we pray that God guides and protects every worker, every visitor and every leader of this beautiful country and all those who call the UAE home."

Devotees expressed happiness

As the gathering ended, a special sumptuous meal with prasad was served to the 2,500 workers and devotees. Some of the workers who visited the temple also expressed their happiness. Ranjit Singh, a worker from Punjab, said on the warmth extended by the temple volunteers and Swami, "Today is a day at a loss for words for me, it feels like I am at home, like I am with my family."

Pradeep, a blue-collar worker from Sharjah, shared the sentiments of many attendees, saying, "I am very happy to be a part of this celebration. We are grateful to Swami and the temple for inviting us to celebrate Rakshabandhan together."

Vinod Kumar Pal, a blue-collar worker from Ras Al Khaimah, said, "When Swami tied the rakhi, I really felt good. It reminded me of my sister at home, who was tying a rakhi to me."

The festival was also celebrated on 19 August

The next day, Monday, August 19, more than 16 companies invited Swami to meet them in person. Over the course of 14 hours, the Swamis personally met more than a thousand workers, tying rakhis and distributing prasad, and giving the love and blessings of the temple to those who were unable to attend the celebration.

BAPS is the cornerstone of the Hindu Temple community, dedicated to promoting compassion, support and unity for all people in the UAE. This year's Raksha Bandhan provided an opportunity for the community to connect and celebrate together.