Hindu temple Dubai: official Jebel Ali opening, prayer timings and bookings

House of worship in Jebel Ali opens on Wednesday

Jebel Ali's Hindu temple officially opens on October 5. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Marble pillars stand at the temple's entrance. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A devotee files past Hindu deities during a soft opening. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The soft opening in September provided a select few with a glimpse inside the temple. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The temple is spread over two floors, with the main prayer hall on the first floor. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A collection of more than 100 brass bells decorates a corridor leading to the main prayer hall. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A view of the prayer hall during the construction phase earlier this year. Pawan Singh/The National.

Finishing touches are added to the temple. Pawan Singh / The National

Striking marble designs adorn the entrance. Pawan Singh/The National.

The temple took about two years to build. Pawan Singh / The National.

The facade is sheltered with screens that combine Indian and Arabic architecture. Ruel Pableo for The National

Workers carefully paint the carved pillars. Ruel Pableo for The National

Finishing touches are made to the Arabic mashrabiya lattice work and Hindu geometric designs. Ruel Pableo for The National

Huge wooden doors were made for inside the temple. Ruel Pableo for The National

A brass spire or kalash atop a dome. Pawan Singh / The National

Work under way on one of five temple domes in December. Pawan Singh / The National

The temple begins to take shape in September last year. Pawan Singh / The National

The community space on the ground floor takes shape. Pawan Singh / The National

The massive skylight under which the deities will be placed. Pawan Singh / The National

Construction work in full swing in December. Pawan Singh / The National.

The facade of the temple takes shape. Pawan Singh / The National

Guests attend a prayer ceremony as construction work gets under way at the temple. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The brass spire, later fixed at the highest point of the temple, is blessed. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Trustees of the temple join prayers. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Before construction began, a ground breaking ceremony took place in February 2020. Photo: Sindhi Guru Darbar temple trust

Prayers are offered during a bhoomi pooja ceremony at the start of construction work. Photo: Sindhi Guru Darbar temple trust​​​​​​​

A new Hindu temple in Dubai opens on Wednesday in time for people to celebrate Dussehra.

An official inauguration took place on Tuesday evening to which interfaith leaders, diplomats and government officials were invited.

The house of worship is located in Dubai’s Jebel Ali neighbourhood, beside several churches and a Sikh gurdwara.

Blending Indian and Arabic architecture, the stark white temple stands out with marble hand carvings, metal latticework on the facade and tall brass spires.

Temple trustees have welcomed people of all nationalities and religious beliefs to visit to learn more about the Hindu faith, Indian heritage and customs.

When is it open for worship or visits?

The temple is open daily from 6.30am until 8.30pm, with its doors open to the public from today, Wednesday October 5.

Online bookings are recommended via hindutempledubai.com.

An aarti or special prayers are held daily at 7.30pm. More timings will be announced after Diwali.

Where is it located?

The temple is in Jebel Ali Village. It shares a boundary wall with the Sikh temple or gurudwara.

There are at least six Christian churches in the area.

How can I reach it?

Parking spaces in the temple basement are limited.

Authorities have advised visitors to travel on the Dubai Metro to the Energy or Ibn Batuta metro stations, and then take bus F44 or taxis to reach the temple.

What will I see?

There are nine brass spires or kalashas on the outer domes, which are believed to draw in energy to the temple.

A corridor leading to the upper prayer section is filled with 105 brass bells.

The main prayer hall is on the first floor with a massive skylight from which a large, pink lotus sculpture is suspended, signifying peace.

Deities worshipped by Hindus across India have been installed in this section. The prayer hall is bordered by an open terrace.

This space can later be booked for religious ceremonies where devotees can pray around a fire.

The lower section comprises a large banquet hall.

A meditation studio and teaching areas can also be used by volunteers to teach the Sanskrit language or classical dance and music.

An industrial kitchen — that can cater for more than 1,000 people — has already begun operation.

Temple architecture

The facade is partially shaded with screens that are a mixture of Arabic mashrabiya architecture and infused with traditional Hindu designs.

The white and black marble statues of deities were carved in Jaipur, Kanyakumari and Madhurai in India.

The lotus motif can be glimpsed across the temple in the saffron and emerald marble inlay on the floor and in stainless steel fittings on the staircase.

Pillars and archways are filled with marble engravings of trees, plants, elephants and bells carved by craftsmen from northern India’s Rajasthan state .

The temple in numbers

More than 900 tonnes of steel, 6,000 cubic metres of concrete and 1,500 square metres of marble were used to construct the temple.

The main prayer hall is about 5,000sq ft and can accommodate about 1,500 people at one time.

The ground floor banquet hall can accommodate about 750 people and the multipurpose hall about 200 people.

The structure is spread over two storeys.

How many are expected to visit?

The temple has been open for a few weeks to test the facilities as part of a soft launch.

Between 3,000 to 6,000 people are expected to visit daily, with more than 25,000 expected this weekend.

More than 100,000 worshippers will probably visit during big festivals, such as Diwali.

Are there more Hindu temples in the UAE?

There are two small temples in the Bur Dubai area. The temples are housed inside rooms of older buildings.

The Indian community requested a larger space from authorities and the Dubai government granted land three years ago.

A traditional Hindu temple is being built in Abu Dhabi to be completed by 2024.

How can I volunteer?

The temple welcomes volunteers on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Those interested can register on the website.