A Guide to the Largest Gurudwara in Dubai
Dubai is known for its religious tolerance and openness towards various cultures and religions. People of different nationalities and faiths live in Dubai, and the government respects their cultural and religious practices. The city of Dubai is home to many churches, temples, and mosques.
Dubai is home to many beautiful mosques attracting people from all over the world. The mosques are designed to perfection with amazing lights and modern amenities. The worship places in Dubai have a separate fanbase for the calm and visually appealing architecture it holds. Gurudwara is one such worship place in Dubai welcoming people to experience spirituality and hope. This Sikh temple is also an example of the city’s religious tolerance.
Want to know more about the most prominent gurudwara in Dubai? Here is a perfect guide to Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Temple in Dubai.
Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar
Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Temple is the most popular Gurudwara in Dubai. It is also the largest gurudwara in the Gulf region. This Sikh temple was built on the free land given by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE to the Sikh community. The gurudwara provides a platform for the Sikh residents of Dubai to come together, pray, and engage in charitable activities. This temple is dedicated to Guru Nanak Dev Ji by the Sikh community, the founder of Sikhism. This temple has been a part of Sikh rituals and gatherings since 2012.
This Sikh temple has hosted millions of Sikh and non-Sikh tourists offering them an insight into the religion and culture of the Sikh community. The temple is spread across an area of 100,000 square feet in Jebel Ali Village. This architectural marvel was designed by the architectural firm, Holford Associates. The design incorporates both traditional and modern architectural elements. Guru Nanak Darbar also received ISO certifications in quality management, environmental management standard, occupational health and safety management, and food management.
Guru Nanak Darbar features traditional Sikh architecture. The temple is a multi-story facility and has a large prayer hall, a langar hall, and other facilities for worship and community activities. The temple can accommodate over 2,500 worshippers at a time. The hall is adorned with intricate paintings, carvings, and decorations designed to create the perfect ambiance for worship. The temple complex is surrounded by a 54-meter Parikarma, a pathway for the believers to circle the temple or take a holy bath while engaging in prayer. The temple also has a pond adjacent to it inspired by the famous pond ‘sarovar’ at The Golden Temple in India.
Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh temple has been included in the list of attractions and establishments found in Dubai by Department of Economy and Tourism. This holy destination is also listed on Dubai Tourism website.
What to expect at Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar
Spacious prayer halls
Guru Nanak Darbar has a spacious prayer auditorium on the second floor that can accommodate over 5000 devotees at a time. The hall is adorned with a Holy Book and a large mat for the supporters to sit and meditate peacefully. There is also an introspection area and a library for people of any religion to read their holy book and contemplate undisturbed. The Gurudwara also uses solar energy and has a water promenade that maintains a cool temperature.
Daily spiritual activities
Guru Nanak Darbar is a place of worship for the Sikhs in Dubai. The temple hosts prayer meetings on a daily basis where the believers pour in to boost their spirituality. The temple reverberates with the prayers of all the devotees filled with hope. Special morning and evening prayers are also held in which every visitor can take part.
Services for devotees
The Sikh community take significant efforts to pass their religious values to the next generation. In order to mold the next generation, special three hours sessions are organized on Saturdays where they teach Punjabi, Kirtan, and Gurdwara protocol. For adults, Gurbani Santhiya Classes are held at Gurudwara Sahib where they teach proper pronunciation and readings of Holy Shabads. The other services offered at Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Temple in Dubai are Akhand Path Sahib, Sehaj Path, Sukhmani Sahib Path, child naming ceremony, child Amrit ceremony, engagement, Anand Karaj - wedding ceremony, matrimonial services, housewarming prayer, memorial prayer and more.
You can book the desired services on their website.
Langars
Guru Nanak Darbar houses Guru ka Langar where devotees of all religions and social standing sit together and enjoy their meal as per the principle of equality. Pure vegetarian food is prepared in the gurudwara kitchen. The food is funded by the voluntary contributions of the congregate. Many devotees volunteer to work at the gurudwara by cooking the food, washing the dishes, and cleaning the kitchen. This service is called the ‘Seva’. The food is served in the langar hall, which is spacious to accommodate a large number of visitors. Generally, they serve around 10,000 vegetarian meals on Fridays and 1,000 meals on weekdays. During the festival season, over 40,000 meals are served to the visitors. In April 2017, Guru Nanak Darbar achieved a Guinness World Record by providing breakfast to a total of 600 individuals belonging to 101 different nationalities.
Festivities
Guru Nanak Darbar celebrates festivals with great enthusiasm and reverence. The devotees from around UAE flew to the spot in large numbers to be a part of this celebration. The temple is decked up in lights to wear a festive look. Special gatherings are hosted on all Gurpurab’s and special Langar tends are arranged outside the temple to accommodate everyone. The community kitchen serves basic delicious vegetarian meals including salad, sabzi, dal, roti, rice, fruits, and desserts to everyone who is a part of the celebrations.
Digital museum
The digital museum at Guru Nanak Darbar in Dubai provides visitors with a glimpse into the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The museum features interactive displays, multimedia presentations, and artifacts showcasing the history, philosophy, and legacy of the Sikh religion. The exhibits cover various aspects of Sikhism, including the ten Gurus, the Sikh holy book Guru Granth Sahib and the Sikh code of conduct. Visitors can explore the museum through the touchscreens and audio guides installed at the museum.
Etiquettes to follow at Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar
Since Guru Nanak Darbar is a place of worship, there are certain etiquettes you need to follow while visiting the place.
· You need to follow a decent dress code at the gurudwara.
· Both male and female visitors are expected to cover their heads with a headscarf.
· You are not permitted to wear shoes inside the Sikh temple.
· Do not litter or smoke on the premises of the temple.
· When visiting in large groups, inform the authorities beforehand to do the needful arrangements.
· Maintain the decorum of the place of worship.
Opening hours of Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar
Guru Nanak Darbar is open every day from 4:30 am to 8:30 pm. The office timings of the temple are from 8 am to 9 pm.
How to reach Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar
Guru Nanak Darbar temple is located in the Jebel Ali Village. It is located far from the center of Dubai on the outskirts of the city. The temple is easily accessible via Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11. If you are planning to travel by metro, you can take the red line and get down at the Energy metro station. From there you can hire a cab or take the bus to the temple. The temple provides a shuttle service from the Energy metro station. Go to RTA Journey Planner to know which bus to take to the temple from your desired location. The temple also has a parking facility for up to 140 cars.