• 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
    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
    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
    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
    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 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 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 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 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
    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
    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
    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
    Offerings made as part of the prayers
  • Exchanging more garlands at the end of the ceremony
    Exchanging more garlands at the end of the ceremony
  • Food and drink offerings are prepared
    Food and drink offerings are prepared
  • An industrial-level kitchen at the temple prepares vegetarian fare for the wedding guests
    An industrial-level kitchen at the temple prepares vegetarian fare for the wedding guests
  • Snacks, lunch, sweets and Indian delicacies are readied for guests
    Snacks, lunch, sweets and Indian delicacies are readied for guests
  • Family and friends record memories
    Family and friends record memories
  • The entrance to the Hindu temple in Jebel Ali, Dubai that was the venue of the wedding
    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
    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
    Friends pose for photographs with the couple
  • Worshippers at the Hindu Temple in Dubai
    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
    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
    An outside view of the Hindu temple in Dubai
  • More than 100 brass bells at the entrance of the prayer hall
    More than 100 brass bells at the entrance of the prayer hall
  • Sunlight streams through the lotus motif in the central prayer hall
    Sunlight streams through the lotus motif in the central prayer hall
  • The community hall before the wedding guests arrive
    The community hall before the wedding guests arrive

Weekend

Photo Essay: An Indian wedding in Dubai’s Hindu temple

Many couples are choosing a traditional ceremony in the UAE instead of going back to their home country

Pawan Singh

September 08, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

The Hindu temple in Jebel Ali is being picked as a wedding venue of choice by Indian couples in the UAE.

Instead of returning to their home country for the wedding, many couples who have lived in the Emirates for years are selecting the stark white temple with golden spires to tie the knot.

Iswarya Sundararajan and Arvindh Selvam, from southern India’s Tamil Nadu state, are among 18 couples who exchanged garlands since wedding ceremonies began in the temple from January this year.

“It was quite special to have the wedding inside a temple because most people we know have travelled back to India for their marriage,” said Ms Sundararajan, who works in the hospitality industry in Dubai.

It was good to have a celebration that we both could enjoy in Dubai
Iswarya Sundararajan,
Indian bride

Couples customarily visit temples in India after they marry in a hall that is booked for the ceremonies.

For the Sundararajan and Selvam families, the event was doubly special as the rituals were conducted in the temple.

“We have elders who said they could feel extra special blessings from god for us so this made everything even more perfect,” the 27-year-old said.

Close knit affair

About 60 relatives and friends were invited to be part of the festivities.

A priest recited verses from the holy scriptures and also translated this into English and Tamil so guests could understand the rituals.

Iswarya Sundararajan and Arvindh Selvam listen as the priest explains the rituals during their wedding ceremony at the Hindu temple in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Iswarya Sundararajan and Arvindh Selvam listen as the priest explains the rituals during their wedding ceremony at the Hindu temple in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Weddings in India are usually mega events with hundreds of people invited.

The numbers at the Dubai temple for weddings is capped at about 150 people by the temple organisers to safely manage movement of crowds.

“In India for sure it would have been bigger numbers because we both have large families,” Ms Sundararajan said.

“But it was good to have an intimate celebration that we both could enjoy in Dubai.”

The Hindu temple in Dubai has a kitchen that prepares an extensive vegetarian menu and caters to specific requests for snacks, lunch meals with curry, rice and popular Indian sweets.

The temple opened to the public in October and is the latest addition to the places of religious worship in the Emirates.

Run by Dubai’s Sindhi Guru temple trust, the temple with nine brass spires and lattice screens weaves in Hindu designs with Arabic architecture.

It welcomes all faiths and its community halls can be booked for special occasions such as weddings.

The temple is open seven days a week from 6am until 8.30pm.

Updated: September 08, 2023, 6:10 PM
WeekendWeddingsDubaiUAE