Dubai is glowing brighter than ever this week as the Hindu Temple Dubai and Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara prepare to welcome an estimated 50,000 devotees for Diwali 2025 — the Indian Festival of Lights. Both places of worship, located side by side in Jebel Ali's Worship Village, have been adorned with lights, floral arrangements, and traditional artistic displays for a five-day celebration running October 18–22, coinciding with a long weekend.
Festival Schedule: October 18–22
The Diwali 2025 Dubai celebrations unfold across five key dates:
- October 18 (Saturday): Children's Diwali Workshop — over 200 registrations for ages 8–15 - October 19 (Sunday): Main festive crowds arrive — 18,000 to 20,000 visitors expected - October 20 (Monday): Diwali Day — peak attendance of 25,000+ worshippers - October 22 (Wednesday): Annakut Offering — 70 varieties of sweet dishes served as prasad
Hindu Temple Dubai: 25,000 Expected on Diwali Day
N. Mohan, General Manager of the Hindu Temple Dubai, confirmed the scale of this year's turnout. "On Saturday alone, we welcomed over 10,000 visitors. By Diwali day, we're expecting over 25,000 worshippers," he said.
To handle the crowds, the temple has set up separate entry queues — bachelors enter through the basement while families use the main entrance. Dubai Police and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have coordinated security and transportation. The RTA has increased feeder bus frequency from both Energy Metro Station and Ibn Battuta Metro Station.
Temple operating hours remain 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM, with potential extensions on Monday depending on visitor flow.
Children's Workshop Brings Cultural Continuity
On October 18, the Hindu Temple hosted a Diwali workshop that drew over 200 child registrations. Participants aged 8 to 15 learned rangoli design, lamp creation, and eco-friendly decoration crafting.
Mohan explained the initiative: "We saw immense enthusiasm from families wanting their children to stay connected to Indian traditions. It's not just about celebration — it's about cultural continuity."
Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara: Langar for Thousands
The Guru Nanak Darbar Gurudwara in Jebel Ali expects 15,000 visitors on Sunday and up to 25,000 on Diwali day. Chairman Surender Singh Kandhari confirmed that special langar meals will be prepared and served continuously throughout the day — unlike the usual three-meal schedule.
The langar menu for Diwali includes:
- 1,000 kg wheat flour - 800 kg rice - 600 kg lentils - 200 kg each of rice pudding, semolina halwa, and sweet offerings
"By God's grace, we've never faced any shortage of food. We prepare in abundance, and any surplus is distributed among Dubai's labour community by evening," Kandhari said.
The Gurudwara maintains its regular hours of 4:30 AM to 8:30 PM on Diwali day.
Jebel Ali Worship Village: A Symbol of UAE Interfaith Harmony
Jebel Ali's Worship Village — home to the Hindu Temple, the Gurudwara, and several Christian churches — stands as a powerful symbol of the UAE's commitment to interfaith harmony and cultural inclusion. On Diwali, the community spirit extends well beyond the Indian diaspora.
"Dubai is a city that embraces everyone. You'll find people from all walks of life joining the festivities — not just Indians, but locals and expats alike," said a temple volunteer.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum have both extended Diwali greetings to the Indian community, recognising the strong cultural and economic ties between the UAE and India.
Annakut: The Grand Conclusion on October 22
The five-day celebration concludes with the Annakut offering on October 22, when 70 varieties of sweet dishes will be prepared and distributed as prasad to devotees at the Hindu Temple Dubai — a fitting close to one of the most vibrant Diwali 2025 celebrations in the UAE.
