Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the US $4.2 million redevelopment project of the 200-year-old Lord Sri Krishna temple in Manama, the capital city of Bahrain. He offered prayers at the Shreenathji Temple in Manama, the oldest temple in the region, and also the ‘prasad” that he bought with the RuPay card after launching it in the UAE on August 24. UAE is also the first middle eastern country to have the RuPay Card, the Indian equivalent of Mastercard or Visa. Prime Minister then unveiled the plaque, thus officially launching the redevelopment project of the iconic temple.
“Thank you, Bahrain for the warmth and affection. PM @narendramodi concludes his historic visit with prayers at the 200 years old Shreenathji Temple in #Manama, the oldest temple in the region. The temple reflects the pluralism of Bahraini society,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet. The facelift for the Shreenathji temple in Manama will kick off later this year.
According to a report by PTI, the US $4.2 million redevelopment project will be on a piece of land measuring 16,500 square feet and the new four-floor structure covering 45,000 square feet will have an overall height of 30 meters. “The heritage and the 200-year-old legacy of the temple will be highlighted in the redevelopment and the new iconic complex will house the sanctum sanctorum and prayer halls.” The temple complex will also boast of facilities for traditional Hindu marriage ceremonies and other rituals, promoting Bahrain as a wedding destination and boosting tourism.
On August 5, PM Modi had comprehensive talks with his Bahraini counterpart Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa to give a major boost to the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. The two countries witnessed the exchange of MoUs in the areas of culture, space, collaboration with the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Bahrain’s National Space Science Agency agreed to collaborate in the area of space technology. 
The two sides agreed on the collaboration of the kingdom with the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The two countries also agreed on the cultural exchange program. “Honoured to have met HH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Our talks were comprehensive and included a wide range of subjects concerning India-Bahrain relations,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted after the talks.
Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/StarvisionN
