Hindu Temple Opens in ‘Worship Village’ of Dubai

DUBAI, (IANS) – The much-anticipated Hindu Temple of Dubai has officially opened its doors in Jebal Ali Worship Village, which houses nine religious’ shrines, including seven churches, one gurudwara, and the new temple.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, welcomed devotees to the 70,000-square foot premises by lighting a lantern together to celebrate the opening. Over 200 dignitaries, ambassadors and local community leaders attended the celebration.

It has taken the Hindu Temple Dubai trustees three years to bring this dream to a reality.

Temple trustee Raju Shroff said, ” The Hindu Temple Dubai is truly a remarkable icon of how receptive and compassionate the Dubai government is. The Emirati generosity remains. Whether it was in 1958 to launch the first mandir in the country to the Hindu Temple now – we are grateful to be in Dubai.”

The Indian diaspora have been brave pioneers, forging business and cultural ties that bind the social fabric of Dubai since 1958. Back then, community leaders such as Vashu Shroff and his family founded the first Indian Temple, finding its humble beginnings in one room. It was a home that welcomed the diaspora.

The Indian community saw an astronomical increase on from roughly 6000 in 1958 to the 3.3 million people that call it home today.

This impetus led to the birth of The Hindu Temple Dubai.

The Hindu Temple is a beautiful marriage of two cultures. The showstopping piece is undoubtedly the duality of the traditional Hindu dome atop the Mashrabiya screens infused with the 3D-printed lotus symbol. The transparent dome extends to the sky while the Arabian architecture-inspired screens cast calming shadows through the room.

By incorporating white marble to adorn every inch of the temple, it beautifies and reflects harmony and purity. The marble pillars and arches are also intricately handcrafted with designs and scriptures. Vastushastra played a crucial role in the eventual decision to create an octagonal shape with an east-facing entrance. The octagonal shape is steeped in Hindu mythology and represents the structure of the sacred Shree Yantra.

By the end of the year, there will be a spacious community center where Hindu ceremonies including rituals and prayers can take place including weddings. The deities in the vast temple: Ganapathi, Lakshmi Narayanan, Guruvayurappan,

Ayyappan, Mookambika Devi, Balaji, Durga, Shiva Linga, Radha Krishna, Jhulelal, Ram Parvivar, Muruga with Valli and Devayanai, Hanuman and Sai Baba.