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Shiva Temple Bur Dubai / Jebel Ali
Jebel Ali Worship Village, Dubai (formerly Ali Bin Abi Taleb Street, Bur Dubai), United Arab Emirates
Dubai’s Shiva Temple, founded in 1958 beside the Creek in Bur Dubai, served generations of labourers and merchants in a 250-square-metre upstairs hall until 2024, when the lingam and utsava idols were ceremoniously relocated to the new Jebel Ali Hindu Temple to ease crowding and comply with safety requirements ([1][2]). In its historic Al Fahidi setting the shrine shared a courtyard with Krishna Mandir and Gurudwara, with thousands lining the narrow stair for Maha Shivaratri jalabhisheka. The new Jebel Ali sanctum—opened January 2024 ahead of Maha Shivaratri—retains the same lingam and panchloha icons, now set within a larger abhishekam chamber clad in black granite, equipped with dedicated jalabhisheka drains, overhead kalasa water lines, and 360° darshan space for 500 devotees at a time. Rituals run from 5:30 AM Rudra Abhishekam to midnight vigil on Mondays, with daily arti at 7:00 AM/1:00 PM/8:00 PM, periodic Pradosham ceremonies, and Sani Pradosham homa in an adjoining yajna shala. Devotees pre-book milk offerings via QR codes, deposit coconuts at stainless-steel counters, and collect prasad from volunteers. The temple’s management preserves Bur Dubai heritage by maintaining a memorial alcove with photographs, the original teak arti lamp, and oral history kiosks documenting six decades beside the Creek.
Year Built
1958 CE
Period
Modern Period
Architectural Style
Adaptive Hindu Temple Architecture (Bur Dubai Merchant House to Contemporary Hall)
Built By
Sindhi Sindhi Guru Darbar Trustees (then); Hindu Temple Dubai (present)
Material Used
Original: Coral-stone walls, timber beams, brass kalashas; Current: Reinforced Concrete Frame, Black Granite, Stainless Steel, Acoustic Panels, LED Lighting
Heritage Status
Registered worship centre under CDA; part of Jebel Ali Worship Village.
Shiva Temple Bur Dubai / Jebel Ali
overview
Overview data: 94% complete
Heritage Overview
Temple
Shiva Temple Bur Dubai / Jebel Ali
Dubai’s Shiva Temple, founded in 1958 beside the Creek in Bur Dubai, served generations of labourers and merchants in a 250-square-metre upstairs hall until 2024, when the lingam and utsava idols were ceremoniously relocated to the new Jebel Ali Hindu Temple to ease crowding and comply with safety requirements ([1][2]). In its historic Al Fahidi setting the shrine shared a courtyard with Krishna Mandir and Gurudwara, with thousands lining the narrow stair for Maha Shivaratri jalabhisheka. The new Jebel Ali sanctum—opened January 2024 ahead of Maha Shivaratri—retains the same lingam and panchloha icons, now set within a larger abhishekam chamber clad in black granite, equipped with dedicated jalabhisheka drains, overhead kalasa water lines, and 360° darshan space for 500 devotees at a time. Rituals run from 5:30 AM Rudra Abhishekam to midnight vigil on Mondays, with daily arti at 7:00 AM/1:00 PM/8:00 PM, periodic Pradosham ceremonies, and Sani Pradosham homa in an adjoining yajna shala. Devotees pre-book milk offerings via QR codes, deposit coconuts at stainless-steel counters, and collect prasad from volunteers. The temple’s management preserves Bur Dubai heritage by maintaining a memorial alcove with photographs, the original teak arti lamp, and oral history kiosks documenting six decades beside the Creek.
Location
Jebel Ali Worship Village, Dubai (formerly Ali Bin Abi Taleb Street, Bur Dubai), United Arab Emirates(Dubai)
Year Built
1958 CE
Heritage Status
Registered worship centre under CDA; part of Jebel Ali Worship Village.
Visit Information
Visiting Hours
Daily 5:30 AM-12:30 PM & 4:30 PM-9:30 PM; Mondays open until 12:00 AM; Maha Shivaratri all-night vigil; book slots online for Pradosham. Bur Dubai memorial open Fri-Sat 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. ([1])
Entry Fee
Darshan free; Rudra Abhishekam AED 151; jalabhisheka offerings AED 21; annadhanam sponsorship AED 501; memorial tours free; donations encouraged. ([1])
Citation References
Shiva Abhishekam at Dubai Hindu Temple
Hindu Temple DubaiAccessed 2025-11-09
Dubai’s beloved Shiva temple relocates to Jebel Ali worship village
Gulf NewsAccessed 2025-11-09
From Creek to Jebel Ali: preserving the legacy of Dubai’s Shiva shrine
The NationalAccessed 2025-11-09
Heritage Status
Registered worship centre under CDA; part of Jebel Ali Worship Village.
Preservation Status
Excellent; new hall only one year old with polished granite and functioning drainage; old Bur Dubai hall maintained as heritage memorial and storage.
Historical Context
Temple founded 1958 with Ruler’s permission. Expanded 1968. Fire suppression upgrades 1991. Structural reinforcement 2002. RTA works 2018 triggered crowd caps. Dubai approved new Jebel Ali facility 2019; relocation completed January 2024 with Maha Kumbhabhishekam. Bur Dubai site retains Krishna Mandir while Shiva devotees now worship in Jebel Ali.
Architectural Details
Adaptive Hindu Temple Architecture (Bur Dubai Merchant House to Contemporary Hall)
Modern Period
Built by
Sindhi Sindhi Guru Darbar Trustees (then); Hindu Temple Dubai (present)
Materials
Original: Coral-stone walls, timber beams, brass kalashas; Current: Reinforced Concrete Frame, Black Granite, Stainless Steel, Acoustic Panels, LED Lighting
Dimensions
Height8m
Width20m
Length32m
Area640m²
Location Map
Featured Images
Restoration Work
Restoration timeline: 1991 fire upgrades; 2002 reinforcement; 2010 AC/ventilation; 2021-2023 preparation for relocation with digital inventory; 2024 new granite sanctum installation.
Patronage
Government of Dubai Community Development Authority; community donors
Construction Technique
The Bur Dubai shrine used timber joists strengthened by steel bars in 2002, with teak shrines inserted into shallow coral niches. The Jebel Ali sanctum sits within a RC frame with granite cladding, stainless jalabhisheka chutes, and acoustic baffles overhead. Water supply for abhishekam runs through UV-sterilised pipelines; drains connect to grease traps before municipal system. Brass bells from the old shrine hang in the new hall. ([1][3])
Architectural Influences
3 items
Building Techniques
Relocation involved prana-pratishtha rituals, climate-controlled transport of lingam, micro-documentation of original sanctum, and digital archiving of registers. The new hall features modular queue barriers, RFID controls, slip-resistant granite, and position-marked abhishekam lines. Volunteer training emphasises spill management and safety with high flows of milk and water. ([2][3])
Coordinates
25.006700, 55.068900
Accessibility Info
{"notes":"Arrive 15 minutes before slot; security screening; free water stations; volunteers provide wheelchairs; Bur Dubai memorial accessible via guided tour.","restrooms":"Restrooms on ground and mezzanine; ablution zone; baby-changing room; lockers for offerings.","wheelchair_accessible":"Ramps, lifts, tactile markers, wheelchairs on request; heritage memorial accessible except original stairwell (viewed via VR kiosk)."}
Visitor Facilities
7 items
Best Visit Times
Best to visit weekday mornings for calm abhishekam; Mondays and Pradosham evenings for vibrant chants; Maha Shivaratri for all-night vigils; winter months comfortable for outdoor queueing.
Seasonal Events
6 items
Visitor Restrictions
Bring pre-booked QR; offer only vegetarian prasad; follow queue marshals; no photography during abhishekam; respect wet floors; deposit coconuts at designated counters.
View Count
2
Is Featured
Yes
Is Published
Yes
Completion Score
75
Completion Status
complete
Created At
2025-11-09T07:59:36.247001+00:00
Updated At
2025-11-09T13:25:31.209+00:00
Quick Overview
📅
Built InModern Period
📍
LocationDubai
🏛️
StyleAdaptive Hindu Temple Architecture (Bur Dubai Merchant House to Contemporary Hall)
🏆
StatusProtected Heritage
What is Shiva Temple Bur Dubai / Jebel Ali?
Shiva Temple Bur Dubai / Jebel Ali is a historic Temple located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This Adaptive Hindu Temple Architecture (Bur Dubai Merchant House to Contemporary Hall) architectural masterpiece was built during the Modern Period period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of United Arab Emirates. Dubai’s Shiva Temple, founded in 1958 beside the Creek in Bur Dubai, served generations of labourers and merchants in a 250-square-metre upstairs hall until 2024, when the lingam and utsava idols were...
Category:
TempleLocation:
Jebel Ali Worship Village, Dubai (formerly Ali Bin Abi Taleb Street, Bur Dubai), United Arab Emirates, DubaiPeriod:
Modern PeriodStyle:
Adaptive Hindu Temple Architecture (Bur Dubai Merchant House to Contemporary Hall)Key Features of Shiva Temple Bur Dubai / Jebel Ali
- 1Adaptive Hindu Temple Architecture (Bur Dubai Merchant House to Contemporary Hall) architectural style with distinctive design elements
- 2Constructed using Original: Coral-stone walls, timber beams, brass kalashas; Current: Reinforced Concrete Frame, Black Granite, Stainless Steel, Acoustic Panels, LED Lighting, showcasing traditional building techniques
- 3Built using The Bur Dubai shrine used timber joists strengthened by steel bars in 2002, with teak shrines inserted into shallow coral niches. The Jebel Ali sanctum sits within a RC frame with granite cladding, stainless jalabhisheka chutes, and acoustic baffles overhead. Water supply for abhishekam runs through UV-sterilised pipelines; drains connect to grease traps before municipal system. Brass bells from the old shrine hang in the new hall. ([1][3]) construction methods
- 4Registered worship centre under CDA; part of Jebel Ali Worship Village. providing legal protection
- 5Commissioned by Sindhi Sindhi Guru Darbar Trustees (then); Hindu Temple Dubai (present), reflecting royal patronage
- 6Current conservation status: Excellent; new site maintained meticulously; Bur Dubai memorial hall preserved; queue systems working.
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 Shiva Temple Bur Dubai / Jebel Ali Special?
- 1Exceptional example of Adaptive Hindu Temple Architecture (Bur Dubai Merchant House to Contemporary Hall) architecture
- 2Royal patronage by Sindhi Sindhi Guru Darbar Trustees (then); Hindu Temple Dubai (present), reflecting historical significance
- 3Temple embodies pioneer Hindu presence in Dubai and showcases managed relocation preserving continuity between heritage Creek quarters and modern worship village.
Visitor Information
How to Visit Shiva Temple Bur Dubai / Jebel Ali
| AEDEntry Fee | Darshan free; Rudra Abhishekam AED 151; jalabhisheka offerings AED 21; annadhanam sponsorship AED 501; memorial tours free; donations encouraged. ([1]) |
| 🕐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 Shiva Temple Bur Dubai / Jebel Ali: Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Plan Your Visit
Check opening hours and entry fees for Shiva Temple Bur Dubai / Jebel Ali. Book tickets online if available to avoid queues. Best visited during early morning or late afternoon.
- 2
Reach the Location
Shiva Temple Bur Dubai / Jebel Ali is located in Jebel Ali Worship Village, Dubai (formerly Ali Bin Abi Taleb Street, Bur Dubai), United Arab Emirates, Dubai. The nearest major city is Jebel Ali Worship Village. Accessible by road, rail, and air. Use GPS coordinates: 25.0067, 55.0689.
- 3
Entry and Guidelines
Entry fee: Darshan free; Rudra Abhishekam AED 151; jalabhisheka offerings AED 21; annadhanam sponsorship AED 501; memorial tours free; donations encouraged. ([1]). 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 Shiva Temple Bur Dubai / Jebel Ali. 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 Shiva Temple Bur Dubai / Jebel Ali by Sindhi Sindhi Guru Darbar Trustees (then); Hindu Temple Dubai (present)
20th Century
Conservation and restoration efforts initiated under Registered worship centre under CDA; part of Jebel Ali Worship Village.
2024-2025
Digital documentation and 3D scanning completed by Inheritage Foundation