Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 Dubai – Top 5 Pandals & Temples in UAE

Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 in Dubai & UAE. Find the best temples, pandals, celebration timings, and cultural events. Complete guide for Ganpati festival in Emirates.
I have also provided the location and address of the temple down below in the post. So, make sure to visit these temple.

When Bappa Comes to the Desert

I still remember my first Ganesh Chaturthi in Dubai. It was 2018, I’d just moved here, and honestly? I was feeling pretty homesick. The thought of missing the dhol-tasha, the energy of Mumbai’s pandals, and my grandmother’s modaks was getting to me. Then a colleague casually mentioned, “Are you going to Jebel Ali temple this weekend for Ganpati?”

Wait, what? Ganesh Chaturthi in Dubai?

That weekend changed everything. Walking into that temple, hearing the familiar sounds of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” echoing in the desert air, seeing uncles in crisp white kurtas and aunties in their finest saris… I almost cried. It wasn’t Mumbai, but it was home.

Seven years later, I’m writing this guide because I know there are thousands of you out there – maybe you’ve just landed in Dubai, or you’ve been here for years but never knew where to go. Trust me, celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in the UAE is special in its own way. This year, with the festival starting on August 27, 2025, let me show you where to find that piece of home.

Why Ganesh Chaturthi Hits Different in the UAE

You know what’s beautiful about celebrating here? It’s the mix. Last year, I was at a pandal where a Maharashtrian uncle was teaching a Pakistani colleague how to do aarti, while an Egyptian neighbor was trying her first modak. My Syrian friend now WhatsApps me every year asking, “When is your elephant god festival?” (I’ve given up correcting him – he means well!)

The UAE gets it, you know? They understand that for us Indians, festivals aren’t just religious events – they’re therapy for homesickness, they’re how we teach our kids about their roots, and they’re excuse enough to eat way too many laddoos without guilt.

The Five Places You Can’t Miss This Ganesh Chaturthi

1. Shiva Temple, Jebel Ali – The OG Celebration Spot

Address: Jebel Ali Village, Near Jebel Ali Free Zone
Google Maps: Click here for directions
Contact: +971 4 884 6452
Timings: 4:30 AM – 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Website: www.shivatemple.ae

Remember I mentioned my first Ganpati in Dubai? This was the place. The Shiva Temple in Jebel Ali is like that popular kid in school – everyone knows about it, everyone goes there, and for good reason.

Getting there is half an adventure. You’ll drive past the port, through areas that look nothing like the glamorous Dubai from postcards, and suddenly – boom! – there’s this gorgeous South Indian style temple rising from the sand. The contrast still gets me every time.

During Ganesh Chaturthi, they go all out. We’re talking about a 15-foot Ganesha idol that arrives a week before the festival. I volunteer sometimes with the decoration team, and let me tell you, watching them transform the space is magical. Marigold flowers everywhere, banana trees at the entrance (yes, in the desert!), and lights that would make Diwali jealous.

The morning aarti at 5 AM is something else. Yes, I know, 5 AM sounds criminal, but hear me out. The crowd is manageable, mostly serious devotees and old-timers. There’s this uncle who’s been coming since the temple opened – he’ll tell you stories about when this area was just desert and maybe 50 people would show up for festivals. Now? On weekends, you’re looking at thousands.

Pro tip from someone who’s made all the mistakes: Don’t go on Friday evening unless you enjoy human Tetris. Weekday mornings are golden. Park near the Gurudwara if the temple parking is full – it’s a 5-minute walk. And please, don’t be that person who forgets to remove their shoes and walks all the way to the sanctum. The aunties will give you looks that could melt steel.

Read this also:
1. How to Celebrate an Eco-Friendly Ganesh Chaturthi at Home
2. Best Ganesh Chaturthi Recipes: How to Make Modak and Sweets at Home

2. Sindhi Gurmandir, Bur Dubai – The Surprise Package

Address: Behind Al Kabeer Building, Near Bur Dubai Abra Station, Bur Dubai
Google Maps: Click here for directions
Contact: +971 4 353 3084
Timings: 6:30 AM – 12:30 PM & 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Nearest Metro: Al Fahidi Metro Station (10-minute walk)

Okay, this one’s a bit of a hidden gem. When someone says “Sindhi Gurmandir,” you don’t immediately think “Ganesh Chaturthi,” right? But oh boy, do they know how to throw a celebration.

Located in old Dubai (the real Dubai, if you ask me), getting here during festival time is… interesting. The narrow lanes of Bur Dubai weren’t exactly designed for festival traffic. But that’s part of the charm. You’ll park somewhere random, walk through streets that smell like incense and samosas, dodge delivery bikes, and suddenly you’re there.

What I love about this place is how they’ve made it their own. It’s not trying to be a Mumbai pandal or a Pune celebration. It’s uniquely Dubai-Indian. They do this amazing thing where they combine Jhulelal and Ganesha prayers – where else in the world would you see that?

The food here? Forget about it. Last year, I had Sindhi kadhi alongside vada pav, followed by modaks that would make a Maharashtrian grandmother proud. Only in Dubai, folks.

The crowd here is more diverse too. You’ll meet Indians who’ve been in the UAE since the 1970s, their kids who speak better Arabic than Hindi, and fresh-off-the-plane techies all under one roof. The evening bhajans are special – they do them in multiple languages, and there’s always that one aunty who insists on singing slightly off-key but with 200% enthusiasm. God bless her.

3. Hindu Temple, Abu Dhabi – The Capital’s Pride

Address: Al Mushrif Area, Behind Al Mushrif Mall, Abu Dhabi
Google Maps: Click here for directions
Contact: +971 2 446 4422
Timings: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Website: www.htad.ae
Parking: Free parking available with overflow parking at nearby mall

If Dubai is the flashy sibling, Abu Dhabi is the classy one, and their Hindu temple reflects that perfectly. It’s in Al Mushrif area, and if you’re driving from Dubai, give yourself extra time. I once made the mistake of leaving at 5 PM on a Friday. Let’s just say I missed the evening aarti and learned about every construction project on Sheikh Zayed Road.

This temple has a different vibe. It’s newer, more organized, and they’ve really thought about the visitor experience. Air conditioning that actually works (blessing in August!), proper crowd management, and – this blew my mind – QR codes for prasad booking. Welcome to Ganesh Chaturthi 2.0!

But don’t think it’s all modern and soulless. The head priest here is this lovely man from Tamil Nadu who somehow remembers everyone. “Ah, you came last year with your mother-in-law!” he’ll say, and you’re left wondering if he has a secret database or just an incredible memory.

They do something beautiful here – multilingual aartis. So you’ll have the Tamil families doing their thing, then Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi. It’s like a linguistic tour of India, and honestly, even if you don’t understand all the words, the devotion translates.

The kids’ programs here are fantastic. They have this storytelling corner where they narrate Ganesha stories with puppets and props. My nephew still talks about the time he got to “feed” the mouse (Ganesha’s vehicle) – it was just a volunteer in a costume, but try telling that to a 5-year-old!

4. Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar, Dubai – The Unity Special

Address: Jebel Ali Village, Next to Hindu Temple, Dubai
Google Maps: Click here for directions
Contact: +971 4 884 6344
Timings: Open 24 hours (Special Ganesh programs: 6 AM – 10 PM)
Website: www.gurudwaradubai.com
Facilities: Free parking, Langar hall, Community center

This one’s special, and I mean really special. A Gurudwara celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi? When I first heard about it, I thought someone was pulling my leg. But it’s real, and it’s beautiful.

The Gurudwara is right next to the Shiva Temple in Jebel Ali, and during Ganesh Chaturthi, they open their doors for Hindu celebrations. It started small – just allowing overflow parking. Then they began serving langar to the temple visitors. Now? They have a dedicated area for a Ganesh pandal.

I’ll be honest, the first time I went, I felt a bit weird. Like, is this okay? Should I be here? But the sevadars (volunteers) welcomed us with such warmth. “Sab da malik ek hai” (Everyone’s God is one), one elderly Sikh gentleman told me, and that was that.

The best part is seeing the youth from both communities working together. Sikh kids helping with Ganesh decorations, Hindu volunteers serving in the langar – it’s the kind of thing that gives you hope for the world. The combined aarti on the last day, with Gurbani and Ganesh prayers, will give you goosebumps. I’m not particularly religious, but standing there, listening to two faiths blend their voices in prayer… let’s just say I needed tissues.

5. Community Pandals – The Neighborhood Heroes

Now, temples are great, but the real flavor of Ganesh Chaturthi in UAE? It’s in the community pandals. These pop up in permitted areas, community centers, and sometimes in the most unexpected places.

Maharashtra Mandal Dubai
Usual Venue: India Club, Oud Metha (location varies yearly)
Contact: Check Facebook page “Maharashtra Mandal Dubai”
WhatsApp Groups: Ask at Indian restaurants in Karama

Gujarat Samaj UAE
Multiple Locations: Dubai (Karama Community Center), Sharjah (Indian Association)
Contact: www.gujaratsamajuae.com
Special Programs: Garba nights, Traditional food stalls

Karnataka Sangha UAE
Venue: Various community centers (check their Instagram @karnatakasangha_uae)
Focus: Classical music and dance performances

The Maharashtra Mandal folks are serious about their celebrations. They’ll take over a community hall and transform it into a slice of Girgaon. The decorations change themes every year – I’ve seen everything from traditional fort replicas to environmental awareness themes. These guys bring in proper dhol-tasha groups. If you’ve never experienced it, imagine drums that you don’t just hear but feel in your chest. It’s therapy for any Maharashtrian missing home.

The Gujarat Samaj adds their own twist with garba nights. Yes, I know, garba is for Navratri, but who’s complaining? Dancing around Ganpati with dandiya sticks might not be traditional, but it’s fun, and that’s what matters.

My personal favorite is the Karnataka Sangha celebrations. They’re smaller, more intimate. The focus is on classical music and dance. Last year, they had a young girl, maybe 12, perform Bharatanatyam depicting Ganesha stories. Half the audience was in tears – it was that beautiful.

Finding these pandals requires some detective work. Join WhatsApp groups, follow Instagram pages, ask that Indian colleague who seems to know everyone. The information network among Indians in UAE is better than any social media algorithm.

The Practical Stuff Nobody Tells You

Let’s talk real for a minute. Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in 45-degree heat is no joke. That beautiful silk sari you’re planning to wear? Maybe reconsider. I’ve seen too many people looking like they’ve been through a car wash by the time they reach the temple.

Cotton is your friend. Those Instagram-worthy photos can wait. Comfort first, especially if you’re planning to stay for the full aarti. And please, carry water. The temples provide it, but the queues for everything get long.

Timing is everything. The published timings say aarti is at 7 PM? Add 30 minutes. IST (Indian Stretchable Time) is alive and well in the UAE. But also, don’t be that person who shows up an hour late and pushes through the crowd. Not cool.

If you’re bringing kids, pack snacks. Yes, there’s prasad, but kids get hungry at the worst times. And maybe download some Ganesha songs on your phone – nothing calms a cranky child in a crowd like familiar music.

The Food Scene (Because Let’s Be Real, It Matters)

Can we talk about the modaks for a minute? Finding good modaks in Dubai used to be a challenge. Now? Every Indian restaurant worth its salt has a “Ganesh Chaturthi Special” menu. But here’s where to get the real deal:

Karama’s mini-India has shops that start making fresh modaks a week before. There’s this tiny place called Shree Krishna Sweets – blink and you’ll miss it – but their modaks are legit. The aunty who runs it is from Pune, and she doesn’t mess around.

For those in Abu Dhabi, there’s a home chef (find her on Instagram as @ModakMagic) who takes orders. Twenty-one varieties last year! I tried the chocolate-dates fusion one – sounds weird, tastes amazing.

But honestly? The best modaks are still the ones distributed at temples as prasad. There’s something about prasad modaks that even the fanciest restaurant can’t replicate. Maybe it’s the blessing, maybe it’s the atmosphere, or maybe it’s just the joy of not having to pay 5 AED per piece!

Making It Happen at Home

Not everyone can make it to temples or pandals. Maybe you’re in Fujairah or RAK, maybe you’re working shifts, or maybe crowds just aren’t your thing. Celebrating at home is totally valid and can be just as special.

Getting a Ganesha idol here is easier than ever. Lulu and Carrefour start stocking them by early August. But if you want something special, check out the Indian handicraft stores in Meena Bazaar. They import beautiful clay idols from India. Yes, they’re pricier, but worth it.

For the purists worried about visarjan – the UAE doesn’t allow immersion in the sea (understandably). Most people do a symbolic immersion at home in a bucket or tub. The clay dissolves, you can use the water for plants. It’s not the same as Marine Drive visarjan, but Bappa understands.

Some buildings have started community celebrations. Talk to your building management or that enthusiastic Indian neighbor who’s always organizing something. Last year, our building did a small pandal in the community hall. Nothing fancy, but 30 families came together, and it was lovely.

The Emotional Bit (Because Someone Has to Say It)

Look, I’ll be straight with you. Celebrating festivals away from India can be tough. You’ll miss things – the scale of celebrations back home, family traditions, that specific sweet your mom makes. There will be moments when you’re standing in a crowded temple in Dubai, and you’ll feel incredibly alone.

But then you’ll hear a child excitedly yelling “Ganpati Bappa Morya!” in an American accent. You’ll see an elderly couple who’ve probably been away from India for decades still dressed in their finest, doing aarti with shaking hands. You’ll taste a modak that somehow, miraculously, tastes exactly like home.

And you’ll realize – this is what resilience looks like. This is how cultures survive and thrive. Every festival celebrated away from home is a small act of resistance against forgetting who we are.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As I write this, I’m already excited about Ganesh Chaturthi 2025. The community here keeps getting better at this. Every year, the celebrations get bigger but also more organized. The focus on eco-friendly practices is stronger. The involvement of non-Indians is growing.

Will it ever be the same as celebrating in India? No. But that’s okay. We’re creating something new here – a UAE version of Ganesh Chaturthi that our kids will grow up thinking is normal. Where modaks come with a side of dates, where the bhajans have a backdrop of the Burj Khalifa, where people of all faiths come together to celebrate.

So whether you’re a Dubai veteran or fresh off the plane, whether you’re deeply religious or just culturally curious, there’s a place for you in these celebrations. Bappa doesn’t discriminate, and neither does the UAE Indian community.

Mark your calendars for August 27, 2025. Clear your schedule. Stock up on kurtas and cotton clothes. Prepare your phone storage for a million photos. And get ready to experience something special.

Because when Ganpati Bappa comes to the desert, magic happens. And you don’t want to miss it.

Ganpati Bappa Morya! See you at the celebrations!

FAQs

For more stories and guides about Indian festivals around the world, check out LokGeets.com. And if you see me at any of these celebrations, come say hi – I’ll be the one taking too many photos and eating too many modaks!