History of Hindu Temple in Dubai

The Dubai temples of Shiva and Krishna Mandir temple complex in Al Bastakiya in Dubai was built back in 1958 by orders of Shaikh Mohammad. Temple construction in Dubai was sanctioned by the late ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. There is an electric crematorium run by a group of Indian expatriates. The government follows a policy of extreme tolerance towards non-Muslims as far as the public preaching does not happen and does not interfere in the islamic fabric of the country.

The Hindus shared the temple complex with the Sikh community,  but sikh community was granted a big plot of land from the Dubai Government and a new Gurudwara is Opened in year 2012. The Hindu temple's management has  also put in a request with the Dubai Government for more land. They are very hopeful of getting a plot so that bigger temple complex can be built on  outskirts of Dubai, But The present temple is serving its purpose , though a little overcrowded but it is a must visit place in Dubai for all Hindus.

Location of the Hindu Temple in Dubai ( UAE)

The famous Hindu Temple is located in the west of the Dubai Creek in the area of Bur Dubai, aslo known as Al Bastakiya.The temple is unlike those normally  found in India, located at the back of the souk in converted shop space. Devotees must proceed up one flight of steps on one corner of the building to the  space, and then down another on the other side.Around the temple is  an old souq (market), most traders in this area are cloth merchants, These merchants are  doing business for decades and carrying on their family businesses

How to Reach Dubai Temple

Reaching Dubai temple By Dubai Metro :- located on the Dubai Creek near Al Ghubaiba. It is about 10 minutes walk to the temple from Al Ghubaiba metro  station. 

Reaching Dubai temple By Abra ( Local Boat) :- You can catch Abra from deira and reach Dubai Temple by just paying One Dirham. Abra is the most cheap  transportation in Dubai & you feel the dubai creek much better than any other transport. Holiday Travel specially recommends you to travel in Abra in Dubai.

Reaching Dubai temple By Water Taxi :- RTA Dubai has launched Air Conditioned Water taxis for the Dubai creek, You can catch a Water Taxi from Dubai Creek  and reach Dubai temple in just 15 minutes, From Dubai Creek, it is a 3rd Stop right next to the Dubai Temple.

Parking Problem at Dubai Temple

You might face issues in finding good parking around temple, Kindly do not leave your car on double parking as Police is very strict in this area and you  will attract violation ticket. 

Near By Parking to Dubai temple in Bur Dubai

• If you do not find parking near by, You have good chances of finding the parking in the Parking lot next to the Pooranmal restaurant.

• There are two paid parking lots ( 10 AED/Hour) next to Pooranmal restaurant Bur Dubai. You have good chances to finding parking here in Busy Bur Dubai Area

Restaurants around Dubai Hindu Temple

There can be no better deal that having a great vegetarian Breakfast/dinner after your visit to Dubai Temple. There are many good vegetarian restaurants  around Dubai temple. the nearest one is "Pooranmal Restaurant Bur Dubai". You can swoop on Masala Dosa, south indian, north indian cuisines here, pooranmal Chaat is very good specially crispy Paani puri. Visit to Pooranmal restaurant in Bur Dubai is a must after visiting the temple to satisfy gastronomical needs after satisfying spiritual needs.

Religious Activities at Hindu Temple Dubai

1. Ritualised marriage ceremonies in Dubai temple
2. Birth day Pooja at Dubai Temple
3. Horoscope related services at Dubai Temple
4. Special Shudhi Pooja at Dubai Temple.
5. Nav Grah Pooja at Dubai temple
6. kaal Sarp Yog Pooja at Dubai Temple
7. Donations, Charitable fund deposite.

Spiritual Centre for Hindus in Middle East

There are approx 2 million Indians in the United Arab Emirates and approximately 50 per cent of the Indian population are Hindus/Sikhs. The Bur Dubai temple is so far the only gathering point for all Hindus in the UAE and one of the very few in the Gulf ( There is also a big temple in Muscat), Hence Bur Dubai  temple is a very sought-after spiritual Destination for Hindus.

Lot of crowd comes during religious holidays like nav Durga, Diwali, Shiv Ratri etc. serpentine  queues start building at temple in Dubai from 3 am onwards. The two-day Maha Shivaratri festival drews around 150,000 people. Some times devotees queues  stretches for several kilometres.

Prayer Timings in Dubai Temple

Morning prayers start at 6am and run until 1pm; evening prayers run from 4.30pm to 10pm.

Hindu Religious Shopping around Dubai Temple

In Dubai, you can buy Music/devotional songs for Hindu Lords, Hindu Religious Books, Hindu God photos etc only at Dubai temple. There are many shops and  traders at the base of the temple. A number of shops also sell statues of Hindu gods, bells, beads and other religious paraphernalia. The traders make only a  litte profit, "We only make enough to cover rent and salary. What we are doing is giving relief to people."

Buying Prasad at The Dubai temple

There are shops below the busy lanes in Dubai temple, where you can get Prasad, These traders usually sell prasad  for Dh5 each. They give you plastic bag  which contains flower petals, a fruit apple/banana, a small bottle of milk and a piece of cloth. Staff work furiously to open and repackage each offering - 
 

Dubai Temple Contact Details

2nd Za'abeel Road, Al Sooq Al Kabeer, Bur Dubai, Dubai
Landmark: Near Dubai Museum
P.O.Box: 52, Dubai
Tel: +971 4 3535334

Example of Dubai's Extreme tolerence for Indian Expat Populaton.

Protection of Hindu Temple during riots in Dubai.

Although UAE government condemned the events in moderate terms during riots and Babri Masjid demotion, the UAE experienced severe public disturbances,Street protests broke out by expat pakistani nationalists, some protesters also threw stones at Hindu temple in Bur Dubai. Major Turmoil happened in City of Al-Ain, 140 km from dubai, angry pakistani mob mobs set fire to the girls wing of an Indian school.UAE government tool strong action &  In response to the violence, UAE police arrested and deported many expatriate Pakistanis and pathans who had participated in the violence. It is said that special protection of Dubai Temple was done and it was protected by armed batallion of soldiers. The Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai police force, Dhahi Khalfan, condemned the violence by foreign nationals in his country.