☏ +91-9819007620
Holiday Travel India Pvt Ltd
Gurudwara In Dubai - Guru Nanak Darbar Jebel Ali
Similar Attractions
Gurudwara In Dubai - Guru Nanak Darbar Jebel Ali - Destination Overview
About Dubai Gurudwara (Gurunanak Darbar Gurudwara - Dubai)
Gurunanak Darbar Dubai opened for devotees on 18th of January 2012. The Dubai Gurudwara known as Gurunanak Darbar is located in the 25,400 square feet plot in Jebel Ali, Dubai, along Sheikh Zayed road. The Gurudwara also doubles up as avenue for community events and marriages.The gurudwara is believed to be the first of its kind in the entire region. Dubai Ruler His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai gave his consent for the gurudwara in 2010 and also gave away free land for the gurudwara.
In June 2010, foundations were laid for the Guru Nanak Darbar. At a cost of $20 million, the large gurdwara is located in Jebel Ali, Dubai and will be the first 'official' Sikh temple in the entire Gulf, catering to the needs of the local Sikh community.
Representatives of the estimated 50,000 member Sikh community in the UAE said they wish to keep a low profile. "This is the first official Sikh house of worship in Dubai, and the whole community is extremely thankful to the Dubai government," said an official: "But we don't want to get too much attention to ourselves or our community.
Dubai Gurdwara - A Must Visit for Dubai Travellers
The Gurunanak Darbar has emerged as a major tourist destination in Dubai with over 800,000 visitors eating out of its community kitchen (langar) since its inception last year, its chairman Surender S. Khandari said.
Dubai Gurudwara receives visitors from across nationalities and countries – from Europe and the Americas to the Far East and Australia. “On New Year’s Day, we had over 16,000 people in the temple, double the average number we get on Fridays. The previous night, around 7,000 people were here as a special kirtan was held from 7.30 pm to 1.30 am. It was a great feeling as families with children rang in the New Year with a sense of peace and prayer.”
Irespective of the numbers, the gurudwara’s community kitchen churns out free vegetarian food for all. “We have a 4,000 sq ft state-of-the-art industrial kitchen with five separate stores to cater to our visitors. The meal served is basic but sumptuous and comprises salad, sabzi (vegetable), dal (lentil), roti (bread) and rice. We also serve fruits or a sweet dish.”
Interesting History of Dubai Gurudwara ( Guru Nanak Darbar)
The efforts for an official gurdwara in Dubai began about 27 years ago. The proposals kept getting knocked back by Dubai Govt but sikh community did not give up. The Dubai Sheikh His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, after repeated requests from S. Kandhari and his team, gave the approval subject to consent from the 'Council of Imams' which is responsible for all matters of a religious nature in UAE.
The Sikh submissions strived to show the close proximity between Islam and Sikhism; the role played by various Muslim and Sufi saints in the developmental stage of Sikhism as a full-fledged religion including the fact that a number of Muslim 'pirs' have their hymns enshrined within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib; that Islam need not fear prosletysation from Sikhs; that Sikhism like Islam believes in the one God and does not approve of idol-worship; and finally that Baba Nanak, the founder of Sikhism passed this way with his constant companion, a Muslim, Bhai Mardhana, on their way to 'haj' at Mecca and Medina.
Major Turning Point for Approval of Gurudwara in Dubai
The Major decision boost came, when Dubai govt came to know that Sikhs don't worship idols and once Dubai authorities were convinced that setting up a gurdwara is not going to impact basic principals of Islam, things quickly started falling in place and Approval came for Construction of Gurudwara. Dubai Ruler His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai was very happy with the findings and gave his consent for the gurudwara in 2010 and also gave away free land for the gurudwara.
Foundation for Dubai Gurudwara
In June 2010, foundations were laid for the Guru Nanak Darbar. At a cost of $20 million, the large gurdwara is located in Jebel Ali, Dubai and will be the first 'official' Sikh temple in the entire Gulf, catering to the needs of the local Sikh community.
About Sikhs in Dubai
There are about 50,000 Sikhs in Dubai. The sikhs in Dubai are closely knit community & dedicated to work and prayers. Sikh Community is deeply oblized to His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his kind and noble gesture to allow such a grand gurudwara in UAE.
Architecture of Dubai Gurudwara
Dubai-based architect firm Holford Associates has designed the gurdwara in Dubai and it is supported by Richard Adams from UK, who was involved with the Shri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara on Havelock Road in Southall,London.
The Gurunanak Darbar is a multi-storey gurudwara spread over 100,000 sq.ft building area The building has two basements, a ground floor and a first floor, plus an intermediate terrace floor. Each basement is measured 25,000 square feet that can contain parking space for up to 100 cars. The 21,000 square feet ground floor houses the dining hall, kitchen, pantry, and store room. The reception desk and Gurudwara office is also in the ground floor complimented with wash room and shoe storage facilities.
There is a 54 meter Parikarma covered with traditional grill work. The water body flowing around the road frontage is inspired by the Sarowar of the Golden Temple. It cast a surreal reflection of the building facade with the cascade feature lending the sound of flowing water. There are two main entrances to the complex, one from each access road. Each having wash rooms and shoe storage facilities, that is also designed to cater the special needs of senior citizens. The grand staircase is designed to hold a huge traffic of people going up and down. It is flattered by tall windows radiating natural light from stained glass that perfectly magnifies space.
Timings of Dubai Gurudwara
Gurudwara Opening time is 4 am and Closing is 9.00pm daily without closure during the day
Kirtan and Ardas Timings in Dubai Gurudwara
:: Asa ki Var daily 5.30 am to 7.00 am and Ardas at 7.30 am
:: Rehras Sahib 6.15 pm Aradas at 7.00pm , Kirtan 7.00pm to 8.30 pm Ardas
:: Friday –Full day kirtan
:: Ladies Sukhmani Sahib Path every Monday at 11.30 am to 1.00pm
:: Kirtan on Every Saturady sponsored by one family from 7.00pm to 9.15 pm
One of the Most Modern Gurudwara in Dubai:
Guru nanak darbar Gurudwara in Dubai is the most modern gurdwara in the world," added Kandhari. And that is exactly what the Guru Nanak Darbar Gudwara is. It has a state-of-the-art Kitchen which is capable of offering food to the visiting devotees throughout the day. One peek at the kitchen and we see the modern amenities that it is fitted with. The kitchen boasts of a dough-kneader, a chappati-maker and large dishwashers. And along with the rest of the building, the kitchen, too, is spotless.
Apart from a large carpeted prayer hall, there are three smaller rooms for private functions, a meditation room, a library and the spacious 'langar' or common kitchen hall. But, the one feature that promises to take your breath away are the 24 carat gold canopies for the Gurugranth Sahib (Holy Book of the Sikhs).
There are future plans for the temple, Health care being expensive in Dubai, Plans are undergoing to build a hospital for the poor next.