An Indian wedding at the Hindu temple in Jebel Ali - in pictures
A priest explains prayers and rituals to the bride Iswarya Sundararajan and groom Arvindh Selvam during their marriage ceremony at the Hindu temple in Jebel Ali, Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
Iswarya Sundararajan and Arvindh Selvam are among several couples who were married at the Hindu temple in Jebel Ali this year
The South Indian Tamil marriage ceremony was among 18 weddings held at the temple since January this year
A garland of flowers is placed on the bride's neck as part of the ceremony
The groom makes offerings of flowers as the bride steps on a stone as part of the marriage ceremony
The couple ask for the blessings of their parents
The bride and groom walk around a symbolic sacred fire seven times to signify they are completing their marriage vows
The couple complete traditional ceremonies to cement their vows
The Indian bride and groom are thrilled to share their special day with friends and relatives in the Hindu temple in Jebel Ali, Dubai
A priest from India's southern Tamil Nadu state guided the bridal couple through the ceremony
Both families found it convenient to organise and prepare for the wedding ceremony in Dubai instead of heading back home to India
Offerings made as part of the prayers
Exchanging more garlands at the end of the ceremony
Food and drink offerings are prepared
An industrial-level kitchen at the temple prepares vegetarian fare for the wedding guests
Snacks, lunch, sweets and Indian delicacies are readied for guests
Family and friends record memories
The entrance to the Hindu temple in Jebel Ali, Dubai that was the venue of the wedding
Well-wishers gather around the bridal couple in the community hall on the first floor of the temple
Friends pose for photographs with the couple
Worshippers at the Hindu Temple in Dubai
After the ceremony, the bridal couple and their families can take the blessings of the deities in the prayer hall
An outside view of the Hindu temple in Dubai
More than 100 brass bells at the entrance of the prayer hall
Sunlight streams through the lotus motif in the central prayer hall
The community hall before the wedding guests arrive
