(Image source from: The Hindu)

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi’s visit to Abu Dhabi on August 23 will coincide with the Janmashtami festivities, a Hindu festival.  

On Sunday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that Modi will be in Abu Dhabi on a two-day visit starting Friday to receive the UAE Zayed Award en route to Bahrain.

The coincide of Modi’s visit and Janmashtami celebrations have left many wondering if Modi will be there at the Bochanswasi Akshar Purshottam Swaminarayan Santha (BAPS) temple site’s Janmashtami (birth of Lord Krishna) festivities. The invites for the festivities have already been sent out.

The invite mentions a cultural program at the venue from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by dinner (Maha Prasad). The program includes a performance of devotional songs, the narration of Krishna Katha (legend of Krishna) and lighting of lamps.

Read: Indians in UAE Thrilled by Modi’s Visit to the Country

A source at the BAPS temple was quoted by Gulf News Saying: “We have made arrangements for over 1,200 people to be here on the day, but have absolutely no intimation if the honorable Indian Prime Minister Modi will be attending the event ... We came to know about his impending arrival on Sunday night, we have not extended any formal invitation to him.”

However, there have been murmurs that since Modi is religious and usually observes a fast during the Janmashtami festival, there are more chances that he might pay a visit.

The celebrations at BAPS will be led by Swami Bramha Vihari.

Recently the temple committee had celebrated the festival of Raksha Bandhan by inviting 1,200 blue-collar workers from across many workers’ accommodations in the UAE. “Our members tied rakhi on the wrist of the workers and served them food. It was an inclusive gesture on our part as many of them were missing their sisters and the festivities. The workers were overjoyed.”

By Sowmya Sangam