The people of Bur Dubai have a very special place in their hearts, where everyday routines blend with the rich heritage of the United Arab Emirates.
The temple complex, which dates back to 1958 and is a beloved retreat for Divyesh Kumar Shaholia, is more than simply buildings and walls. It captures the spirit of his early years, when his grandmother wove garlands with other women in the hallowed grounds of the Bur Dubai Shiv Mandir and Gurudwara amid the smell of incense and prayers.
Divyesh had a deep connection to the ancient temple, steeped in cultural customs that had been handed down through the ages, even at the early age of seven. However, things are about to change.
The community has been informed via notices posted at the temple complex’s gates that the Shiva temple in Bur Dubai will soon move to the Jebel Ali temple by January 3, 2024. The community has been agitated by this planned transfer, which has prompted discussions and strong feelings. Residents are finding it difficult to say goodbye to a refuge that has been a constant in their lives.
Some longtime residents of Dubai, such as the Shaholias, who arrived in the country 48 years ago, reminisced about the past and told Khaleej Times that it seems like the end of an era.
Since their arrival, Divyesh Kumar Shaholia’s father and uncles have operated their gold workshops and businesses in the Bur Dubai region, and a big part of their life there has been attending the temple.
According to Divyesh, he would not go a day without going to the temple. “I can still picture my grandma sitting in the temple with other ladies, doing garlands. For several years at a time, we would go for the evening darshan (visit) every day after school. Next, we would visit our store in Bur Dubai and give the candy, or “Prasad,” to each and every person present. This was a regular occurrence in our lives.
He recalls that over ten thousand worshippers would congregate at the ancient temple on holidays, especially Janmashtami, which commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna.
