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Krishna Temple Bur Dubai
Al Fahidi Street (51 Al Fahidi St), Bur Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Krishna Temple in Bur Dubai has been Dubai’s oldest continuously operating Hindu shrine since 1958, tucked on the mezzanine of a sandalwood-scented souq courtyard in the historic Al Fahidi district where hundreds climb a narrow stair each dawn for darshan of Sri Nathji, Radha-Krishna, Mahalakshmi, and Sai Baba before winding through the lattice-screen corridor that overlooks the Creek ([1][2]). The 1,500-square-foot mandir retains teak balustrades, hand-carved pillars, brass finials, and the nine-domed roofline that peeks above coral-stone shophouses; priests weave through the throng performing arti with oil lamps held inches from glass-fronted sancta while volunteers chant bhajans. Daily timings stretch 5:00 AM-11:30 AM and 5:00 PM-9:30 PM, accommodating 3,000 devotees on weekdays and up to 6,000 during Janmashtami or Diwali. The temple’s shoe racks, prasad counter, and queue rails occupy the ground-level courtyard shared with souvenir shops and the adjacent Sikh Gurudwara, symbolising Dubai’s intercultural tapestry. Canonical rituals include Radha Ashtami, Satyanarayana katha, Tulsi Vivah, and mass annadhanam delivered by Indian restaurants who donate vegetarian meals. The small admin office manages marriage registrations, birth certificate attestations, and diaspora documentation in coordination with the Indian Consulate ([2][3]).
Year Built
1958 CE
Period
Modern Period
Architectural Style
Adapted Vernacular Hindu Temple within Gulf Merchant House
Built By
Sindhi Merchant Community of Bur Dubai
Material Used
Coral Stone Walls, Teak Timber Columns, Plaster, Brass Domes, Mosaic Tile Flooring, Stainless Steel Railings, Reinforced Concrete Repairs
Heritage Status
Located within Al Fahidi Historical District, part of Dubai tourism heritage trails.
Krishna Temple Bur Dubai
overview
Overview data: 94% complete
Heritage Overview
Temple
Krishna Temple Bur Dubai
The Krishna Temple in Bur Dubai has been Dubai’s oldest continuously operating Hindu shrine since 1958, tucked on the mezzanine of a sandalwood-scented souq courtyard in the historic Al Fahidi district where hundreds climb a narrow stair each dawn for darshan of Sri Nathji, Radha-Krishna, Mahalakshmi, and Sai Baba before winding through the lattice-screen corridor that overlooks the Creek ([1][2]). The 1,500-square-foot mandir retains teak balustrades, hand-carved pillars, brass finials, and the nine-domed roofline that peeks above coral-stone shophouses; priests weave through the throng performing arti with oil lamps held inches from glass-fronted sancta while volunteers chant bhajans. Daily timings stretch 5:00 AM-11:30 AM and 5:00 PM-9:30 PM, accommodating 3,000 devotees on weekdays and up to 6,000 during Janmashtami or Diwali. The temple’s shoe racks, prasad counter, and queue rails occupy the ground-level courtyard shared with souvenir shops and the adjacent Sikh Gurudwara, symbolising Dubai’s intercultural tapestry. Canonical rituals include Radha Ashtami, Satyanarayana katha, Tulsi Vivah, and mass annadhanam delivered by Indian restaurants who donate vegetarian meals. The small admin office manages marriage registrations, birth certificate attestations, and diaspora documentation in coordination with the Indian Consulate ([2][3]).
Location
Al Fahidi Street (51 Al Fahidi St), Bur Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates(Dubai)
Year Built
1958 CE
Heritage Status
Located within Al Fahidi Historical District, part of Dubai tourism heritage trails.
Visit Information
Visiting Hours
Daily 5:00 AM-11:30 AM & 5:00 PM-9:30 PM; Janmashtami midnight arti; Fridays extend to 10:00 PM; guided heritage walks Sat 9:30 AM (prebook via tourism authority). ([1][3])
Entry Fee
Entry free; special puja offerings AED 51-251; prasad donation AED 11; shoe lockers complimentary; heritage tour AED 35 via Dubai Culture.
Citation References
Dubai Culture: Krishna Temple
Dubai CultureAccessed 2025-11-09
How Dubai’s oldest Hindu temple serves thousands daily
Gulf NewsAccessed 2025-11-09
Inside Bur Dubai’s heritage mandir after Jebel Ali temple opens
The NationalAccessed 2025-11-09
Heritage Status
Located within Al Fahidi Historical District, part of Dubai tourism heritage trails.
Preservation Status
Good; 2024 survey notes timber beams stable after reinforcement, plaster refreshed, crowd control effective; brass domes recently recoated.
Historical Context
1958: Dubai’s Ruler Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum grants permission to Sindhi community; temple opens above textile shops. 1960s: daily darshan expands as Creek traders settle. 1970s oil boom draws Indian labour, throng grows. 1990: fire safety upgrades add emergency stairs and alarm. 2008: renovation installs granite stairs, AC, CCTV. 2022-2024: as new Jebel Ali temple opens, Bur Dubai shrine continues Krishna worship while Shiva services gradually shift but festival ties maintain heritage identity. ([1][2])
Architectural Details
Adapted Vernacular Hindu Temple within Gulf Merchant House
Modern Period
Built by
Sindhi Merchant Community of Bur Dubai
Materials
Coral Stone Walls, Teak Timber Columns, Plaster, Brass Domes, Mosaic Tile Flooring, Stainless Steel Railings, Reinforced Concrete Repairs
Dimensions
Height6.5m
Width18m
Length26m
Area390m²
Location Map
Featured Images
Restoration Work
Major refurbishments: 1990 fire escape, 2002 structural reinforcement, 2008 stair and AC upgrade, 2015 LED conversion, 2021 roof waterproofing, 2024 repainting.
Patronage
Sindhi Guru Darbar Trustees; Government of Dubai Awqaf
Construction Technique
The mandir occupies the upper floor of a two-storey coral-stone building; original timber joists now reinforced with steel channels concealed beneath mosaic flooring. Teak columns support plaster ceiling roses; brass kalashas crown the nine domes, repainted annually. Sancta are framed by teak arches and mirror-laced backdrops. The stairwell is reinforced concrete with granite treads added in 2008. Air-conditioning units retrofitted with acoustic enclosures maintain thermal comfort without altering heritage fabric. ([1][2])
Architectural Influences
3 items
Building Techniques
Maintenance relies on lime-based plaster repairs, brass polishing, timber oiling, and mosaic tile replacement. During festivals, collapsible queue barriers manage flow; CCTV cameras coordinate with Dubai Police for crowd safety. Donations recorded manually and via QR wallet; priests document rituals in registers stored in the admin office. ([2][3])
Coordinates
25.263600, 55.293800
Accessibility Info
{"notes":"Very crowded; narrow stairs—use queue rails; security checks during festivals; water coolers inside; photography limited; keep valuables secure.","restrooms":"Shared restrooms at base courtyard; filtered water dispensers; seating for seniors in alley.","wheelchair_accessible":"Not fully accessible due to stairs; volunteers can assist to first landing; digital darshan available; heritage planners exploring lift options."}
Visitor Facilities
7 items
Best Visit Times
Visit early morning weekdays for peaceful darshan; Janmashtami night for vibrant kirtan; Diwali evenings for diyas; cooler months ideal for heritage walks along Creek.
Seasonal Events
7 items
Visitor Restrictions
Remove shoes; modest attire; no photography in sanctum; follow queue marshals; offer prasad in biodegradable containers; keep stairway moving; do not light personal lamps indoors.
View Count
0
Is Featured
Yes
Is Published
Yes
Completion Score
75
Completion Status
complete
Created At
2025-11-09T07:58:07.358659+00:00
Updated At
2025-11-09T13:23:59.133+00:00
Quick Overview
📅
Built InModern Period
📍
LocationDubai
🏛️
StyleAdapted Vernacular Hindu Temple within Gulf Merchant House
🏆
StatusProtected Heritage
What is Krishna Temple Bur Dubai?
Krishna Temple Bur Dubai is a historic Temple located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This Adapted Vernacular Hindu Temple within Gulf Merchant House architectural masterpiece was built during the Modern Period period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of United Arab Emirates. The Krishna Temple in Bur Dubai has been Dubai’s oldest continuously operating Hindu shrine since 1958, tucked on the mezzanine of a sandalwood-scented souq courtyard in the historic Al Fahidi distric...
Category:
TempleLocation:
Al Fahidi Street (51 Al Fahidi St), Bur Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, DubaiPeriod:
Modern PeriodStyle:
Adapted Vernacular Hindu Temple within Gulf Merchant HouseKey Features of Krishna Temple Bur Dubai
- 1Adapted Vernacular Hindu Temple within Gulf Merchant House architectural style with distinctive design elements
- 2Constructed using Coral Stone Walls, Teak Timber Columns, Plaster, Brass Domes, Mosaic Tile Flooring, Stainless Steel Railings, Reinforced Concrete Repairs, showcasing traditional building techniques
- 3Built using The mandir occupies the upper floor of a two-storey coral-stone building; original timber joists now reinforced with steel channels concealed beneath mosaic flooring. Teak columns support plaster ceiling roses; brass kalashas crown the nine domes, repainted annually. Sancta are framed by teak arches and mirror-laced backdrops. The stairwell is reinforced concrete with granite treads added in 2008. Air-conditioning units retrofitted with acoustic enclosures maintain thermal comfort without altering heritage fabric. ([1][2]) construction methods
- 4Located within Al Fahidi Historical District, part of Dubai tourism heritage trails. providing legal protection
- 5Commissioned by Sindhi Merchant Community of Bur Dubai, reflecting royal patronage
- 6Current conservation status: Good; timber monitored quarterly, brass domes polished, AC maintained; crowd control well-managed; signage refreshed 2024.
Architectural Features
- 1Pyramidal tower (Vimana) with intricate sculptural decoration
- 2Rectangular sanctum (Garbhagriha) housing the main deity
- 3Columned halls (Mandapa) for congregation and rituals
- 4Ornate gateway (Gopuram) with carved figures
What Makes Krishna Temple Bur Dubai Special?
- 1Exceptional example of Adapted Vernacular Hindu Temple within Gulf Merchant House architecture
- 2Royal patronage by Sindhi Merchant Community of Bur Dubai, reflecting historical significance
- 3First legally sanctioned Hindu shrine in UAE; a living testament to Dubai’s historic tolerance and trade diaspora; continues to anchor Little India street life and festival parades (Janmashtami matka breaking, Holi gulal).
Visitor Information
How to Visit Krishna Temple Bur Dubai
| AEDEntry Fee | Entry free; special puja offerings AED 51-251; prasad donation AED 11; shoe lockers complimentary; heritage tour AED 35 via Dubai Culture. |
| 🕐Opening Hours | Dawn to Dusk (6 AM - 6 PM) |
| 📅Best Time to Visit | October to March (Winter) |
| ⏱️Duration | 2-3 hours |
| ♿Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
| 📸Photography | Allowed (No flash) |
Complete Visitor Guide
How to Visit Krishna Temple Bur Dubai: Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Plan Your Visit
Check opening hours and entry fees for Krishna Temple Bur Dubai. Book tickets online if available to avoid queues. Best visited during early morning or late afternoon.
- 2
Reach the Location
Krishna Temple Bur Dubai is located in Al Fahidi Street (51 Al Fahidi St), Bur Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dubai. The nearest major city is Al Fahidi Street (51 Al Fahidi St). Accessible by road, rail, and air. Use GPS coordinates: 25.2636, 55.2938.
- 3
Entry and Guidelines
Entry fee: Entry free; special puja offerings AED 51-251; prasad donation AED 11; shoe lockers complimentary; heritage tour AED 35 via Dubai Culture.. Follow dress code for religious sites. Photography is allowed. Maintain silence and respect the heritage.
- 4
Explore the Site
Allocate 2-3 hours to fully explore Krishna Temple Bur Dubai. Key areas to visit include the main sanctum, pillared halls, and intricate carvings. Consider hiring a local guide for detailed insights.
Historical Timeline
Key Historical Events
Modern Period
Construction of Krishna Temple Bur Dubai by Sindhi Merchant Community of Bur Dubai
20th Century
Conservation and restoration efforts initiated under Located within Al Fahidi Historical District, part of Dubai tourism heritage trails.
2024-2025
Digital documentation and 3D scanning completed by Inheritage Foundation