Everyone knows Dubai as a city of luxury, opulence, and all things fine. Architectural marvels line the stunning skyline of the city, while world-class theme parks and tourist attractions are spread across Dubai. But the City of Gold is not just about these glamorous elements. In fact, Dubai is steeped in culture. Dubai is a part of the United Arab Emirates, an Islamic nation where people are devoted towards their faith. However, Dubai is also a city of expats from different cultures and religions, the major population of expats being Indians. The beauty of Dubai is that apart from welcoming the expat community of Indians, the city has also made space for them to practice their faith. The proof is the numerous Hindu temples that are spread across the city. Here we look at the top Hindu temples in Dubai every Indian should visit when in this emirate city.
Why Visit Hindu Temples in Dubai?
Visiting a temple may not be on your agenda while holidaying in Dubai. But there are numerous reasons why you should:
- It is a cultural experience like no other. As most of the Dubai Hindu temples are open to people of all faiths, you would get the chance to watch the numerous rituals and get to know about the significance of each of them.
- The temples conduct daily aartis, pujas and bhajans, which add to the positive vibe of the place, giving you some quiet time and peace from the hustle and bustle of the city.
- Some of the temples here have beautiful architecture with intricate designs, inspired by the old temple architecture of India. It is worth checking them out.
- Almost all the major Hindu festivals are celebrated in the temples of Dubai. You can not only take part in them but also be a part of the community during these festivities.
List of Best Hindu Temples in Dubai
Krishna Haveli Temple
Image Credit : bayut.com
The first Hindu temple in Dubai, it is imperative that Krishna Haveli Temple is the first on this list.
History: The history of the Krishna/Shrinathji Haveli Temple dates to the early 1900s, established by the first Indian merchants in Dubai. The first temple was a rudimentary mud structure. The temple was refurbished several times over the decades, until HH Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum granted land in Bur Dubai to build a temple that exists till now. The deity residing here is Lord Krishna or Shrinathji.
Location: Bur Dubai (near Dubai Creek)
Timings: 6.30 AM to 11.15 AM and 5 PM to 7.30 PM
Highlights
- There are morning and evening aarti every day, 7 in the morning and 7.15 in the evening.
- Gita discourses, Krishna Bhajans, shloka chanting, and kirtans are hosted in this Dubai Hindu temple regularly.
- Festivals like Janmashtami, Holi, and Gita Jayanti are celebrated with great fervor in this temple.
Festivals: Janmashtami, Gita Jayanti, and Holi
The Dubai Temple
Image Credit : dhowcruiseindubai.com
After the oldest Hindu temple in Dubai comes the newest temple in Jebel Ali, named the Dubai Temple.
History: The special thing about this temple is that it is in “Worship Village” in Jebel Ali, a place where you will also find church and a gurudwara as well. Launched in 2022, the temple has a contemporary Indian architectural style and is home to 16 deities, including Shiva, Krishna, Devi, and Ganesha. The main reason for opening this temple was to accommodate the growing Indian Hindu population in the city.
Location: Jebel Ali
Timings: 6.30 AM to 11.30 AM and 4 PM to 8.30 PM
Highlights
Apart from the regular darshan and aarti, this Dubai Mandir also has private puja halls for family pujas and private ceremonies.
The temple organizes cultural exhibits, religious teaching and discourses, etc., regularly in its large community hall regularly.
All major Hindu festivals are celebrated with great fervor in this temple.
Festivals: Deepavali, Navratri, Dusshera, and Mahashivratri
Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Temple
Image Credit : gurudwaradubai.com
Although not exactly a Hindu temple, the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Temple is an important place of worship for the Sikh community of Dubai.
History: The Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Temple is another temple in the premises of Jebel Ali’s “Worship Village”. Completed in 2012, this Sikh temple became the largest Gurudwara in the Gulf region with a capacity to accommodate 50,000 people who want to worship the Guru Granth Sahib at the same time. This temple is not only large but also opulent as well. The architecture of this temple is ultra-modern juxtaposed with traditional elements.
Location: Jebel Ali
Timings: 6 AM to 8.30 PM
Highlights
- A special aarti happens at this temple every day at 7 PM.
- The Gurudwara conducts kirtan, path, and other religious rituals and ceremonies regularly.
- Apart from the main prayer hall, this Sikh temple also has two prayer rooms where people can conduct private Akhand Path.
- There are private rooms to conduct naming ceremonies, wedding ceremonies (Anand Karaj), birthday/anniversary prayers, engagements, etc.
- The Gurudwara has a meditation room and a library as well. It also conducts Gurbani Santhiya and Kirtan classes.
- The highlight of the Gurdwara is the langar that is served every day. The temple has a huge, state-of-the-art kitchen where devotees gather to cook and feed thousands of people, irrespective of religion or race. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served every day at the langar.
Festivals: Guru Nanak Jayanti, Vaisakhi, and other Sikh festivals
Dubai Jain Derasar
The Dubai Jain Derasar is a dedicated Jain temple, which is an important place of worship for the Jain community of Dubai. It is also frequented by the Hindus seeking peace and solace.
History: Established in 1980, the Dubai Jain Dera is the oldest Jain temple in the city. It is called the Ghar Derasar, meaning house temple, as it is located on the sixth floor of the Musalla residential tower, where numerous Jains reside. Here you will find the idols of Mahavir as well as other Jain Tirthankaras. Apart from being a temple and spiritual sanctuary, the Dubai Jain Derasar is also a cultural center where you get to learn more about Jainism and its philosophies.
Location: Bur Dubai
Timing: 6 AM to 11 AM and 5 PM to 8.30 PM
Highlights:
- The Jain Derasar is not just a place for worship but also a place where you can mediate and gather religious education.
- It is also a community center where the Jains in Dubai can come together for important festivals and occasions and to conduct charity work as well.
- Regular poojas and kirtans happen in this Jain temple every day.
- There are meditation rooms and prayer halls here.
- All the important Jain festivals are celebrated at this temple.
Festivals: Mahavir Jayanti and Paryushan
BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi
Image Credit : baps.org
Although technically this is not one of the Hindu temples in Dubai, it needs a special mention. The BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi is the Middle East’s first traditional Hindu temple.
History: Opened in 2022, the BAPS Hindu Mandir was established by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). This temple has been constructed by the same organization that built the famous Akshardham temple in India. Made of pink stone and marble, this Hindu temple has intricate handmade carvings that are typically seen in ancient Hindu temples. The BAPS Hindu Mandir is an hour away from Dubai by road.
Location: Abu Mureikha, Abu Dhabi
Timing: 9 AM to 8 PM
Highlights
- The BAPS Hindu Mandir is an Indian architectural masterpiece and spiritual center, one-of-a-kind in the Middle East.
- Along with daily aartis, the temple is also the place to indulge in meditation, bhajan, kirtan, satsang, and other religious rituals like Satyanarayan Puja, Rudrabhishek, Mahapuja, etc.
- One of the highlights of this temple is the Ganga Aarti that happens every evening at 7.30 PM and twice during weekends and holidays.
- The temple has idols of numerous Hindu deities like Krishna, Ram, Swaminarayana, Shiva, Ganesh, and Devi.
Festivals: Deepawali, Dusshera, Navratri, Raksha Bandhan, Mahashivratri, and more.
Tips for Visiting Hindu Temples in Dubai
Here are some tips that you should remember when visiting the Hindu temples in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
- Always wear modest clothes while visiting any of the temples mentioned above. Make sure that your arms and knees remain covered.
- It is important to remove your footwear outside the temples.
- It is important to maintain decorum inside the temple. It is best to avoid loud conversations inside the temple premises, especially during prayer times.
- Temples may have restrictions regarding photography, especially of the idols. Hence, refrain from taking photographs without permission.
- Temples are crowded during festivals. It is necessary to keep this in mind before visiting.
Conclusion
The temples in Dubai are symbolic of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage as well as inclusive nature of Dubai or UAE. So, do take time to include one or all these temples while visiting the city with Dubai tour packages.
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