Dubai's Hindu temple: a glimpse at the architectural marvel rising in the desert


Ramola Talwar Badam
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With nine soaring spires, ornate pillars and handcrafted sculptures, Dubai's Hindu temple is fast rising in the Jebel Ali desert.

When ready to open in October, the house of worship will be able to welcome 6,000 people a day.

Work is advancing rapidly at the temple in Jebel Ali but The National also saw first-hand the epic scale of the task with workshops in Al Quoz running at full throttle to complete the work in time.

Craftsmen cut long steel bars and splice up thick wooden strips that will form part of the temple’s rich interior. From massive walnut-wood doors to tall concrete pillars decorated with bells, elephants and flower motifs, the interior elements are being crafted in Al Quoz workshops.

Inside one, workmen used precision tools to press out lotus designs from stainless steel bars. Others add a deep bronze coat of paint to aluminium screens.

It’s not only a Hindu space but a space for peace and meditation
Raghav Arora,
architect

In an adjoining factory, workers polish four-metre high, 90-kilogram wooden doors that will soon be installed at the temple 20 kilometres away in Dubai's Jebel Ali neighbourhood.

“The idea was that on the facade, we wanted the patterns to be geometric and not typically Hindu," said architect, Raghav Arora, director of City Diamond Contracting, of the facade, which is a mix of mashrabiya, Arabic patterned lattice screens, and traditional Hindu designs.

“The temple wants to attract not just people of the Hindu faith but of any faith to come and learn about Hindu culture. It’s not only a Hindu space but a space for peace and meditation," he said.

Mashrabiya screens inspired by Arabic architecture and infused with Hindu geometric patterns at the temple site in Jebel Ali. Ruel Pableo for The National
Mashrabiya screens inspired by Arabic architecture and infused with Hindu geometric patterns at the temple site in Jebel Ali. Ruel Pableo for The National

"The motifs signify universal peace, tolerance and harmony."

Three workshops handle concrete moulds, metal lattice work and wood carvings being completed for the temple’s October opening.

“We used tiles to reduce the weight of the building and it’s easier to maintain,” Mr Arora said.

Marble carvings in India

Marble pillars are being carved in Makrana in India's Rajasthan state and will be brought to the temple site in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Photo: Raju Shroff
Marble pillars are being carved in Makrana in India's Rajasthan state and will be brought to the temple site in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Photo: Raju Shroff

Thousands of miles away in Makrana village in India's northern Rajasthan state, artisans are hand-carving intricate arched entrances topped with decorative elephant heads.

Delicate patterned podiums are being finished for an expansive prayer hall in which Hindu deities will be placed. Craftsmen and women prepare slabs of marble flooring with striking emerald and saffron inlays that will be shipped to Dubai from Makrana, famous for its pure white marble and skilled artisans.

Raju Shroff, a trustee of Dubai’s Sindhi Guru Darbar temple trust, returned this week from Makrana, after a short trip to check on the progress of the hand carvings.

“The overall look is of a contemporary temple but where the gods will be housed will be authentic architecture in keeping with Indian heritage and history,” he said.

“For the marble work we went to the source in India where specialist families have been engaged in the artisan work of engraving for hundreds of years.”

Guidance was also sought from a specialist temple architect from India using "vastu shastra", an Indian form of architecture, for Dubai's distinctive concrete and steel temple clad with white porcelain tiles.

Another temple being built in Abu Dhabi is likely to be complete next year.

Soaring spires

One of nine brass kalashas, or spires, being installed at the top of the Hindu temple being built in Jebel Ali. Ruel Pableo for The National
One of nine brass kalashas, or spires, being installed at the top of the Hindu temple being built in Jebel Ali. Ruel Pableo for The National

In Dubai at the temple site, the topping out is under way with nine brass "kalashas" or spires fitted to the domes.

Cranes lift the spires on to the roof in an operation that will take a few days to complete. This signifies completion of the main construction work. Special permission was sought from authorities before fitting the brass spires that soar high above the surrounding places of worship.

“The kalash has great significance as it draws in the energy,” Mr Shroff said.

“Once this is complete, it will be a landmark that will stand out and can be seen from the main Sheikh Zayed Road.

“This also means the temple will soon be ready to host the murtis [deities].”

The deities are being hand-sculpted from black and white marble in Jaipur and Chennai in India.

The Hindu god Shiv will be the main deity placed in the central podium along with 14 others.

“We wanted to represent different communities so the temple will have gods from South India and goddesses from the East.

“This is not a Krishna temple, or a Shiva or Jain temple, it is a Hindu temple. We are trying to bring in everybody so people from the south and north of India can worship here.”

The temple will also have a section for the Sikh holy book – the Guru Granth Sahib.

Temple layout

Decorative moulds cast in glass-reinforced concrete are used for the columns to keep the temple structure light in weight. Ruel Pableo for The National
Decorative moulds cast in glass-reinforced concrete are used for the columns to keep the temple structure light in weight. Ruel Pableo for The National

People have already begun visiting the temple to take photos of the structure that will welcome up to 6,000 worshippers each day.

More than 25,000 people are expected at weekends once the wooden doors are thrown open later this year.

During festivals such as Diwali, more than 100,000 Hindus will visit.

The statistics for the building are no less impressive with 900 tonnes of steel; 6,000 cubic metres of concrete; and 1,500 square metres of marble used in the construction.

Sunlight streams into the large 5,000 sq ft prayer hall with a vast skylight from which a collection of bells will be suspended.

The first floor will be a dedicated prayer space with the open terrace reserved for ceremonies where devotees can pray around a fire.

On the lower level, a banquet hall will be used for weddings, birthdays or condolence prayers.

On the same level, a mediation studio and teaching area have been set aside where volunteers can teach children anything from the Sanskrit language to classical Indian dance.

The community space is equipped with a kitchen that can cater for more than 1,000 people.

A lot of people want to get married in a temple, they don’t want a ceremony in a hotel,” Mr Shroff said.

“We don’t want to disturb people praying upstairs so there can be a short wedding ritual upstairs after which they can go down to the community hall.”

A growing community

The temple in Jebel Ali will open in October. Ruel Pableo for The National
The temple in Jebel Ali will open in October. Ruel Pableo for The National

There are two small temples in the Bur Dubai area to which Hindu worshippers flock.

Built by the community in the 1950s, the temples are housed in rooms inside an existing building and devotees requested a larger space from authorities.

Land for the new temple in Jebel Ali was allotted by the Dubai government in 2019 and construction began a year later.

The new temple is located in a neighbourhood dedicated to places of worship – it shares a boundary wall with a Sikh gurdwara and is across the road from two Christian churches.

The trust is grateful that Dubai authorities issued clearance and approval through online meetings during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Sindhi Guru Darbar temple trust, that also manages the old temple in Bur Dubai, will manage the new place of worship that will cost an estimated Dh65 million ($17.7m).

“We are on budget and ahead of time,” Mr Shroff said.

“Our target was to finish construction in two years and we are way ahead of schedule.

“We have amazing people who put their heart and soul into it. We will still officially open in October but the soft opening will move up. Everyone is excited to complete this.”

Prayer service at Dubai's Hindu temple - in pictures

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Company profile

Name: Steppi

Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic

Launched: February 2020

Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year

Employees: Five

Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings

Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year

While you're here
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

FINAL SCORES

Fujairah 130 for 8 in 20 overs

(Sandy Sandeep 29, Hamdan Tahir 26 no, Umair Ali 2-15)

Sharjah 131 for 8 in 19.3 overs

(Kashif Daud 51, Umair Ali 20, Rohan Mustafa 2-17, Sabir Rao 2-26)

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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

WHEN TO GO:

September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.

WHERE TO STAY:

Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.

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  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
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  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
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Bulletproof coffee

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Amasake

Comptoir 102

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Charcoal drinks and dishes

Various juice bars, including Comptoir 102

Bridgewater Tavern

3 Fils

Jackfruit

Supermarkets across the UAE

THE SPECS

      

 

Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

Power: 110 horsepower 

 

Torque: 147Nm 

 

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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

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Transmission: 8-speed auto

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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

Playing position: Winger

Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda

IF YOU GO
 
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
 
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info

 Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.

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Major honours

ARSENAL

  • FA Cup - 2005

BARCELONA

  • La Liga - 2013
  • Copa del Rey - 2012
  • Fifa Club World Cup - 2011

CHELSEA

  • Premier League - 2015, 2017
  • FA Cup - 2018
  • League Cup - 2015

SPAIN

  • World Cup - 2010
  • European Championship - 2008, 2012
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Europe’s rearming plan
  • Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
  • Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
  • Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
  • Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
  • Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Points to remember
  • Debate the issue, don't attack the person
  • Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
  • Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
  • Listen actively without interrupting
  • Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners

Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta​​​​​​​
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

The%20specs
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Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE fixtures:
Men

Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

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%3Cp%3EArticle%2014%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E1.%20%5BThe%20Cop%5D%20shall%20periodically%20take%20stock%20of%20the%20implementation%20of%20this%20Agreement%20to%20assess%20the%20collective%20progress%20towards%20achieving%20the%20purpose%20of%20this%20Agreement%20and%20its%20long-term%20goals%20(referred%20to%20as%20the%20%22global%20stocktake%22)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E2.%20%5BThe%20Cop%5D%20shall%20undertake%20its%20first%20global%20stocktake%20in%202023%20and%20every%20five%20years%20thereafter%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Copa del Rey

Semi-final, first leg

Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')

Second leg, February 27

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
Updated: February 12, 2022, 11:53 AM`