Exploring Hindu Temples: Bahrain's Surprising Spiritual Diversity

Bahrain is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is a Muslim country but is considered one of the more liberal ones, as it allows its citizens the freedom to choose their religion. There are multiple non-Muslim religious places of worship in the country, including several Hindu temples. The capital city, Manama, is home to the 200-year-old Shreenathji Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shrinathji, a form of Krishna.

The Shreenathji Temple in Manama is the oldest Hindu temple in Bahrain

The Shreenathji Temple in Manama, Bahrain, is the oldest Hindu temple in the country, dating back nearly 200 years. It was constructed in 1817 by the Thathai Bhatia or Thattai Hindu community, migrants from Sindh before the partition of India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shreenathji, a form of Krishna, manifested as a seven-year-old child.

The Shreenathji Temple is located in the old Manama Souq, where the scent of traditional agarbatti (incense) fills the air. It is a Gujarati-style temple with intricate floral and grill work, caparisoned elephants, and a Kalash adorning the front of the temple.

In 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the temple and launched a $4.2 million renovation project. The redevelopment plan includes a four-floor structure covering 45,000 square feet, with a height of 30 meters. The new complex will house the sanctum sanctorum and prayer halls, as well as facilities for traditional Hindu marriage ceremonies and other rituals, promoting Bahrain as a wedding destination and boosting tourism.

The Shreenathji Temple is a testament to Bahrain's pluralistic outlook, fostering peaceful coexistence between diverse cultures and faiths within its boundaries. With a large Indian diaspora, Bahrain is home to multiple Hindu temples, including the ISKCON temple and the Guruvayurappan temple in the capital city of Manama.

There are two temples in Bahrain's capital city, Manama

The second temple is the ISKCON temple on Kuwait Avenue, built by migrants in recent years. Unfortunately, I could not find more detailed information about this temple.

In addition to these two temples in Manama, there is also a 60-year-old Hindu temple in Bahrain, although the source I found that mentions it does not specify its location.

The Shreenathji Temple was constructed in 1817 by the Thattai Hindu community

Bahrain is a Muslim country, but it is considered one of the more liberal ones as it allows its citizens the freedom to choose their religion. The country is known for its pluralistic outlook, promoting peaceful coexistence between diverse cultures and faiths. With a large Indian diaspora, Bahrain is home to many Hindu temples, including the Shreenathji Temple.

The Shreenathji Temple is a heritage Hindu temple located in the capital city of Manama, Bahrain. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shrinathji, a form of Krishna manifested as a seven-year-old child. The temple was constructed in 1817 by the Thattai Hindu community, who had migrated from Sindh before the partition of India. The Thattai Hindu community's migration from Sindh to Bahrain reflects the strong historical links between Bahrain and India.

The Shreenathji Temple is a testament to Bahrain's religious tolerance and cultural diversity. It is a sprawling Gujarati-style temple, known for its intricate floral and grill work, caparisoned elephants, and a Kalash adorning the front of the temple. The temple is considered one of the oldest in Bahrain, dating back nearly 200 years. It is a significant place of worship for the Hindu community in the country.

In 2019, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Shreenathji Temple and launched a $4.2 million renovation plan for the temple. This gesture underscores the importance of the temple not just to the local Hindu community but also to the broader cultural landscape of Bahrain. The renovation plan ensures that the temple will continue to be a well-preserved part of Bahrain's religious and cultural heritage.

The Shreenathji Temple stands as a symbol of religious harmony and cultural exchange in Bahrain, a country that has long been a hub of international trade and interaction between diverse civilizations. The existence of this temple, along with other Hindu temples in Bahrain, showcases the country's commitment to religious freedom and its embrace of a multicultural identity.

The Shreenathji Temple is dedicated to Lord Shrinathji, a form of Krishna

Bahrain is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf, ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. While the country is predominantly Muslim, it is considered one of the more liberal Gulf states, allowing its citizens the freedom to choose their religion. This pluralistic outlook has promoted peaceful coexistence between diverse cultures and faiths.

With a large Indian diaspora, Bahrain is home to many Hindu temples. One of the most notable is the Shreenathji Temple, dedicated to Lord Shreenathji, a form of Krishna. This heritage Hindu temple is located in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, and was established in 1817. The temple is over 200 years old, making it one of the oldest in the country.

The Shreenathji Temple was constructed by the Thattai Hindu community, migrants from Sindh before the partition of India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shreenathji, who is worshipped primarily by the followers of Bhakti Yoga and the Vaishnavas in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Shreenathji is a manifestation of Krishna as a seven-year-old child.

The temple is known for its intricate floral and grill work, caparisoned elephants, and a Kalash. In 2019, the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, visited the temple and launched a $4.2 million renovation plan.

The Shreenathji Temple in Bahrain is a testament to the country's religious tolerance and cultural diversity. It stands as a symbol of the long-standing ties between India and Bahrain, with the Indian diaspora finding a space to practise their faith in their adopted homeland.

The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, launched a $4.2 million redevelopment project for the Shreenathji Temple

In 2019, the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, visited the Shreenathji Temple in Bahrain and launched a $4.2 million redevelopment project for the site. The Shreenathji Temple is a heritage Hindu temple in Manama, Bahrain, and is the oldest temple in the region, dating back to 1817, or around 200 years ago.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shreenathji, a form of Krishna, manifested as a seven-year-old child. The Thattai Hindu community constructed the temple after migrating from Sindh before the partition of India. The redevelopment project will highlight the temple's heritage and legacy, with the new complex housing the sanctum sanctorum and prayer halls.

The $4.2 million project will cover a land area of 16,500 square feet, with the new structure spanning 45,000 square feet over four floors and reaching a height of 30 meters. The temple will also feature facilities for traditional Hindu marriage ceremonies, promoting Bahrain as a wedding destination and boosting tourism.

Prime Minister Modi's visit to the Shreenathji Temple reflected the strong ties between India and Bahrain, demonstrating the pluralism of Bahraini society and the country's history of peaceful coexistence and freedom of belief and religion. Around 350,000 Indian nationals, mostly from Kerala, live in Bahrain, comprising a third of the country's total population.

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