All About the New Hindu Temple in Jebel Ali

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.

A. 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.

B. Who built the New Hindu Temple in Dubai?

Businessman Vasu Shroff, aged 82 now, had landed in Dubai when he was 20. He established one of the oldest textile industries in the UAE. Amidst his ambitions, it was his dream to build a temple in the UAE. After decades of devotion and effort, the government granted him the land. He then handed over the project to his son, Raju Shroff. This Indian family had successfully established the temple with the community’s support.

C. 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.

D. 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 a 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 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.

E. Facilities in the Dubai Hindu Temple

This is a masterpiece with numerous amenities, rooms, and services inside the premises.

• 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.
• The ceilings and walls are decorated by 3D-printed pink lotus motifs and hand-crafted elephants.
• LCD screens are placed in the knowledge and community area.
• A 4,000-square-foot 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.

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.

F. Dieties in Dubai Hindu Temple

Here is the list of all Gods enshrined within the temple:

1. Lord Shiva is one of the supreme beings in Hinduism and is considered the “destroyer” within the Trimurti.
2. Lord Ganesha is the elephant-headed god of wisdom and remover of obstacles.
3. Shree Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is the source of Gita.
4. Mahalakshmi is the wife of Lord Vishnu and the goddess of prosperity, wealth, and fortune.
5. Ayyappan is the son of Shiva, who is worshipped primarily in Kerala.
6. Durga is a Hindu goddess who is known for her strength and power.
7. Jhulelal is a Sindhi deity who is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
8. Guruvayurappan is worshipped in the Guruvayur Temple in Kerala, India.
9. Lakshmi Narayan, together, are the the embodiment of wealth, prosperity, and love.
10. Venkateswara is a Hindu deity who is worshipped in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India.
11. Muruga, son of Shiva,  is a Hindu deity who is known as the god of war.
12. Sai Baba, a Hindu spiritual figure,  is worshipped by millions of people all over the world for his unbelievable powers (chamatkars).
13. Jalaram Bapa, a spiritual figure, is worshipped in Gujarat.
14. Radha Krishna is a Hindu deity couple, who is worshipped as the embodiment of love and devotion.
15. Gautamswami is a great saint and scholar, who is worshipped by the people of Gujarat, India.
16. Mokhambika Devi is a Hindu goddess iof knowledge and power.

G. Dubai Hindu Temple Location

The new Hindu Temple in Dubai is located in the Jebel Ali, right next to Gurudwara. This compound is home to churches and other religious places as well.

H. How to Reach the Temple?

You can travel by the Dubai Metro (M1 Metro) to the Energy or Ibn Battuta metro stations. From there, hop on the bus, be it F44, 966, or X92,  or take a taxi to reach the Jebel Ali temple.

I. 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.

J. Jebel Ali Temple Timings

Jebel Ali temple is open all 7 days of the week. The Hindu Temple’s timings are 6.00 am – 8.30 pm daily. Special Aarti and prayers are held at 7.30 am.

K. Dubai Temple App

For virtual connection with the temple, the official authorization has launched an app. Visitors can book puja services and cultural halls or share live videos with closed ones. You can also buy products for prayers. The app has live coverage of all diets, with up-to-date information on the latest events.

L. Tips for Visiting The Hindu Temple Dubai

• 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.
• Enrich your experience with a visit to Abu Dhabi Hindu Temple.

FAQs

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.