{mosimage}I have been visiting the temple complex in Meena Bazaar, Dubai for a long time, but I never had written about it till date. It is the only Hindu temple available for the whole of UAE and houses two temples - Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva. UAE is quite tolerant to other religions provided they doen't involve in conversion and propagating their religion into UAE. This temple complex was approved by the late Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Shamefully I didn't collect the details about the history of it, but somewhere I was made to understand that it was started around the year 2000 -2001. Will collect more details about it when I go there next weekend. This place is located in Bur Dubai, near to the creek. In this place you never feel that you aer away from India and heartening to see that people haven't forgot their roots and customs even after coming here.
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To reach here either you can reach Bur Dubai's Al Ghubaiba Bus stand which is quite closer to the Meena Bazaar or through the abra's (small plying boats) crossing the creek. The abras make a pleasant trip across the creek and come cheaper also (now Dhs 1.00 per person/trip). On the weekends if coming by abra you won't find difficult to locate this temple as a large serpentine queues waiting for their turn despite the scorching sun raising the mercury levels. You can find the malayalee & gujju vendors selling the 'prasadams' comprising of chrysanthemum flowers, bottle milk and few ladoos... all for Dhs. 5/-, while you were waiting. Since photography is not allowed in the temple, let me spare those shots.
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This place is not a typical temple structure, but housed on the top of the commerical complex, so it is typically a collection of idols and portraits of God arranged and prayed. The temple is predominantly North Indian, with the main shrine replicating the North Indian style self 'abhishekam' to the Lingam. Then there is a huge statue of Sai Baba and on the floor above the temple is located the Gurudwara. If you exit via another way, you'll be guided through the narrow lanes that remind you of India with Tamil stores, people and getting the pooja articles, paruppu podi, vatthals, etc etc... Notice the Perumal Poo Kadai which is a heaven for people longing for some typical South Indian stuffs. You can get the Tamil & regional magazines, cassettes and all divine articles.
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This place is not a typical temple structure, but housed on the top of the commerical complex, so it is typically a collection of idols and portraits of God arranged and prayed. The temple is predominantly North Indian, with the main shrine replicating the North Indian style self 'abhishekam' to the Lingam. Then there is a huge statue of Sai Baba and on the floor above the temple is located the Gurudwara. If you exit via another way, you'll be guided through the narrow lanes that remind you of India with Tamil stores, people and getting the pooja articles, paruppu podi, vatthals, etc etc... Notice the Perumal Poo Kadai which is a heaven for people longing for some typical South Indian stuffs. You can get the Tamil & regional magazines, cassettes and all divine articles.
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