Ever seen a church, a gurudwara and a temple in the vicinity? Dubai is an alchemy of cultures from across the world, out of which, there is a whopping number of Indian diaspora. As a symbol of coexistence, the city recently inaugurated the new independent Hindu Temple.
While there are other shrines in Dubai named after the deities Shiva, Krishna, and Sai Baba, the new shrine is simply named the Hindu temple — making it the first community-driven temple. Hazy white, divine ambiance, and beautifully designed, this Jebel Ali temple is one of the newest Dubai attractions.
Hindu Temple: Overview
Flipping pages over 60 years ago, you will discover that Dubai’s first Hindu temple was built in the Bur Dubai region. It is evident that Hinduism has been embraced in the UAE for a long time now. So, what’s special this time? This Dubai Temple Jebel Ali is the first independent temple built on a colossal scale. It is home to 16 deities, including Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Shri Krishna, Lord Rama, Mahalakshmi, and Ayyapan — carved out of special stones in Jaipur, Kanyakumari, and Madhurai in India. Devotees can take advantage of numerous facilities, from LCD screens and prayer halls to the availability of priests.
When Did Dubai Hindu Temple Open?
Owing to the exaggerated numbers of Indians visiting and settling in Dubai in the past years, the need for a significant devotional place was inevitable. Dubai Hindu Temple opened its doors to visitors on the day of Dussehra, dated October 5, 2022. Dussehra is an iconic and vibrant Hindu festival celebrated to mark the victory of goodness and virtue over evil.
Hindu Temple Dubai Architecture
In 2019, a piece of land was registered for the temple’s construction, and in 2 years, the idea of the structure was brought from blueprint to reality. Spanning 70,000 square feet in the ‘worship village,’ the famous Hindu Temple in Jebel Ali is spread over four floors; it consists of two basements, a ground floor, and a first floor. The construction of this Hindu temple in Jebel Ali has made the neighborhood a multi-religious corridor in the city, featuring seven churches and a gurudwara. Following the open-door policy, the temple witnesses hordes of visitors to gather, pray and meditate together.
The majestic temple is a concoction of the Indian-Arabian style of architecture. The columns on the facade draw a close resemblance to the traditional columns of the Somnath Temple of Gujarat, while the main dome takes inspiration from the Nagara style of Hindu temple architecture. There are also shades of Arabian design and decor.
The corridor has a series of 100 brass bells that lead to the main prayer hall, tucked on the first floor. There is an open-air terrace surrounding the hall. The bottom floor has a massive banquet hall. The entire temple is built out of 900 tonnes of steel, 6,000 cubic meters of concrete, and 1,500 square meters of marble.
Facilities in the Dubai Hindu Temple
- There is a teaching studio in the temple complex where the visitors can attend Geeta and Bharatnatyam classes and more.
- The ornate main prayer hall has marble pillars with engravings of flowers, trees, plants, elephants, and bells.
- LCD screens are placed in the knowledge and community area.
- A 4,000 sq feet banquet hall hosts religious festivals and events.
- There are also statues of Sri Guru Granth Sahib with a Sikh Holy Book and Shirdi Sai Baba inside the temple.
- The Jebel Ali temple can accommodate 1200 devotees at a time.
- There are eight priests to help you perform puja and other rituals.
The ceilings and walls are decorated by 3D-printed pink lotus motifs and hand-crafted elephants.
People from all walks of life come and soak in the exquisiteness of the place. It is an embodiment of religious tolerance and cultural celebration. One can get a deeper understanding of the Hindu religion and traditions by bowing down in this resplendent shrine. This beautiful temple sends out a powerful message of peace and harmony.
Dubai Hindu Temple Location
The Hindu Temple is located in the Jebel Ali area of Dubai, right next to Gurudwara.
How to Reach the Temple?
You can travel on the Dubai Metro to the Energy or Ibn Battuta metro stations. From there, hop on the bus F44 or taxi to reach the temple.
Dubai Hindu Temple Booking
Since the temple is getting a lot of buzz from around the world, management has decided to get online bookings. You can book the entrance ticket through the temple’s official website.
Jebel Ali Temple Timings
The Hindu Temple’s timings are 6.00 am – 8.30 pm daily. Special Aarti and prayers are held at 7.30 am.
Other Things to Know about Visiting The Hindu Temple
- Dress modestly to respect the Hinduism culture.
- Besides praying in the Jebel Ali temple, you can find other places to visit in Jebel Ali. Take a trip to Soul Beach or go for an MX-Academy Motocross Enduro Desert ride.
- For similar experiences nurtured by faith, there are beautiful mosques to visit in Dubai.
FAQs
Are there any Hindu temples in Dubai?
There are a few small Hindu temples in Bur Dubai. In 2022, the first standalone Hindu Temple was built in Jebel Ali. Another major temple is the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi.
What are the famous religious attractions in the UAE?
One of the biggest religious places in the UAE is Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Other popular places are the new Hindu Temple Jebel Ali and Jumeirah Mosque.
Who inaugurated the new Hindu Temple?
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Sunjay Sudhir, Indian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, inaugurated the Jebel Ali temple.
When will the new Hindu temple Dubai open?
The Hindu temple in Jebel Ali has been opened since October, 2022.
Where is the worship village in Dubai?
The worship village is a neighborhood in Jebel Ali, Dubai. It houses nine religious shrines, including churches, temples, and gurudwara.
Conclusion
People from across the globe, majorly India, are highly admiring this receptive and compassionate step. It might seem difficult to fit all the attractions if you are on a short vacation like a 2-day trip in Dubai, but a visit to this temple will give you much-needed respite.