Shifting to a new country always throws curveballs. For one Indian man, who had barely spent three weeks in Dubai, the real surprise wasn’t the skyscrapers or the malls — it was spiritual. He stumbled upon something that made him feel instantly at home. In a clip shared on Instagram (@akashkawale10), he recorded his journey from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, where he visited the brand-new BAPS Hindu Mandir. What he didn’t expect? To stand in front of a water body, surrounded by chants and diyas, watching a Ganga aarti in the UAE. Not the usual Dubai weekend activity, let’s be honest.
Indian Expat In Dubai Shares His Experience Of Ganga Aarti In UAE At Abu Dhabi’s BAPS Hindu Mandir
The video shows his route, a quick trip across the Emirates before arriving at the striking temple. First impressions: the carvings, the sheer scale, the way it glows under the desert sun. But the goosebump moment came later.
As the camera pans to the aarti, the atmosphere shifts. Bells chime, voices rise in prayer, and flickering lights float on the water. For anyone who has been to the ghats in India, the feeling is instantly familiar. For those abroad, it’s even more powerful, a slice of home thousands of kilometres away.
Truth be told, most Indians in the UAE never imagined they’d witness something like this on local soil. Yet here it was.
More Than Bricks And Carvings
Abu Dhabi’s mandir isn’t just a temple. It’s become a cultural anchor, a space where faith and community meet. For the Indian diaspora, it bridges the gap between heritage and modern life. For newcomers, like the man in the video, it offers grounding in a city that can feel dazzling and dizzying at the same time.
And to be fair, you don’t have to follow Hinduism to admire it. The architecture alone could stop anyone in their tracks. The openness of the space, the atmosphere, it speaks across faiths.
Why This Reel Stands Out
So many social media reels are designed to impress, but this one hits differently. The caption says it all: “I witnessed Ganga Aarti in UAE.” Simple, raw, and heartfelt. No fancy transitions or filters, just a moment of connection.
It resonates because it’s proof that traditions travel, that identity adapts but doesn’t disappear. For Indians abroad, it’s a reminder that home can be found in unexpected corners of the world.
Also Read: BAPS Mandir Abu Dhabi Celebrates Maha Shivratri & Here’s How You Can Join The Festivities!
Part of a Bigger Picture
The UAE has long showcased religious diversity. Churches, mosques, gurudwaras, now the BAPS Mandir adds another thread to that cultural fabric. And for one man fresh off his relocation, it became more than a sightseeing trip. It was reassurance. That even in a new city, far from the ghats of India, a few minutes of aarti could still bring him right back home.
Cover Image Courtesy: akashkawale10/Instagram
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