Day-long celebrations to mark Diwali at Abu Dhabi temple site

A day-long Diwali and Hindu New Year's celebrations will be hosted at site of first Hindu temple in UAE's capital Abu Dhabi next Friday, according to a statement. festivities will be held at Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu Mandir site on vember 1, statement released by temple authorities said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi h in February last year laid foundation stone for temple via video conferencing from Dubai Opera House, where he dressed members of Indian community.

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Opportunity for all to appreciate Hindu tritions

Open to one and all, celebrations are an opportunity for all guests to appreciate Hindu tritions and culture, according to statement.

An exhibition will also be organized to commemorate UAE's 'Year of Tolerance', along with a variety of different cultural programs, including devotional songs performed by prominent members of Indian community, it said.

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A blood donation camp has also been organized in partnership with Abu Dhabi Blood Bank.

Last year's celebration saw more than 10,000 UAE residents attend 'annakut' offering which included a model of Burj Khalifa me from spaghetti and Dubai Frame me out of biscuits and candy.

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Dignitaries and government officials expected to attend

A host of dignitaries and government officials are expected to attend event along with prominent local religious leers and or leing community members.

Diwali, Hindu festival of lights, is being celebrated in India on October 27 this year.

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