Hindu leaders arrive in UAE ahead of Abu Dhabi temple ceremony

Mahant Swami Maharaj was embraced by Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak embraces Mahant Swami Maharaj. Courtesy: All Photos BAPS

Senior Hindu priest Brahmavihari Swami arrives at Dubai World Central. Courtesy: BAPS

Sheikh Nahyan leads Mahant Swami Maharaj to the airport terminal. Courtesy: BAPS

The priests will lead a ceremony on Saturday that will see the first stone laid on Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple. Courtesy: BAPS

Children welcome the leaders at Dubai World Central on Thursday. Courtesy: BAPS

The temple will be the first traditionally-built place of Hindu worship. At present there are only two small shrines in Dubai's old city. Courtesy: BAPS

BR Shetty and other UAE-based Indian businessmen welcome the priests on Thursday. Courtesy: BAPS

Mahant Swami Maharaj speaks with other sadhus or holy men. Courtesy: BAPS

Mahant Swami Maharaj blesses Chiragbhai Patel. Courtesy: BAPS

The faithful attend an assembly in Dubai. Courtesy: BAPS

A sadhu or holy man addresses the assembly. Courtesy: BAPS

Mahant Swami Maharaj performs a rituals at the residence of the Patel family in Dubai. Courtesy: BAPS

Mahant Swami Maharaj is head of the organisation that will build the shrine in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy: BAPS

Mahant Swami Maharaj is led to the Patel family residence. Courtesy: BAPS

Hundreds if not thousands of worshippers are expected to attend the stone laying ceremony outside Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning. Courtesy: BAPS

Devotees during the assembly. Courtesy: BAPS

Atmaswarup Swami addresses the assembly. Courtesy: BAPS

Swamishri greets devotees with 'Jai Swaminarayan'. Courtesy: BAPS

Swamishri arrives at Jumeirah Park assembly

Devotees during the assembly

Devotees during the assembly

Swamishri during the assembly

Welcome displays prepared by devotees

Brahmavihari Swami welcomes Swamishri with a garland

Swamishri observes welcome displays. courtesy: BAPS

Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami welcomes Swamishri with a garland. Courtesy: BAPS

Children welcome Swamishri with flower petals. courtesy: BAPS

Devotees during the assembly

Swamishri and senior sadhus on stage

Senior Hindu priests were welcomed by the Emirati minister of tolerance and hundreds of faithful ahead of a ceremony to lay the first stone in Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple this weekend.

Guru Mahant Swami Maharaj was embraced by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance, as he landed at Dubai World Central airport.

He was met by billionaire businessman BR Shetty and prominent figures from India's large resident community.

Mahant Swami Maharaj is the president of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a religious and social organisation that runs thousands of Hindu temples in India and around the world.

His organisation will build the shrine on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.

It will also lead thousands in prayer at the site on Saturday morning.

Mahant Swami Maharaj and senior sadhus or holy men met hundreds of Hindus during a ceremony in Jumeirah Park on Thursday.

He also attended the home of the Patels, a prominent business family in Dubai.