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Celebrating Indian Festivals in UAE

I know I've been late to put up this post, but I say better late than never! The reason why I was too busy to post was due to the festival of Raksha Bandhan coupled a number of birthdays in the family. As all the Hindus and others who celebrate this Indian festival already know that his year there was a major confusion as to when Raksha Bandhan really is, the two dates being 20th and 21st of August. As most people struggled with picking up one perfect day, I was fortunate enough to celebrate it for three!

I spent day one in Al Ain, day two in Dubai and day three also in Dubai with the last of the lot who came back to the country that day. When it comes to traditional Indian festivals I am bias towards Indian Mithais (sweets) instead of the new trend of cakes, chocolates, brownies, cupcakes, doughnuts and so on, I'm sure you get the picture. So instead of picking up something from the number of Indian Mithai shops (Bur Dubai has one on every corner, where as alain not soo many) I decided to make something myself (if you havent already, take a look at some of my older post about the things I cook up in the kitchen http://komalrlakhani.blogspot.ae/search?updated-max=2011-08-10T09:44:00-07:00&max-results=7 ).

This post is not about what I can and cannot make {but if you really want to know, I can only make awesome desserts ;) } rather Indian festivals here in UAE. While shopping for Rakhi's I noticed a few stores already advertising for the next major Indian festival Ganeshchaturti. While stores like Bin Ali, Top in Town in Alain and shops lining the temple area in Bur Dubai, Al Adil, Madhur, Choitram in Dubai amongst others store rakhis. The shops around the temple, Adil and Madhur are few I have seen selling Lord Ganesh's idols. Madhur had a few of them already on display, Adil is accepting orders for prior booking, but the devotee all throng towards the temple in Bur Dubai lining the edge of the creek since they have the widest variety and a bigger stock to be able to cater to massive demand by one of the largest expat community living in the UAE. Al Ain on the other hand does not have any store selling the idols, so all you alainites will have to make the 150 km journey to Dubai to bring in Ganpati Bappa into your houses.

A lord Ganesh Idol at my house in India during the festival of Ganeshchaturti.

As for the Modaks (which non Indians consider sweet dumplings, and let me tell you it is nothing like a dumpling, but way better) they are very rarely avaliable in AL Ain, so you better place your orders in Dubai soon. As for me I'm enjoying Modaks as I type this post, freshly made and bought from Siddivinayak Temple in Mumbai. If you aren't jealous, you should be, it doesn't get yummier than this!

So what are you all waiting for, get going and start prepping to bring the Vignaharta (one of the many names of Lord Ganesha) home, and Jhor se Bolo Ganpati Bappa Moriya!

Moral of this story : Though Ramadan is better spent in Al Ain, when it comes down to Indian festivals.. go to INDIA!! For those not lucky enough to, Dubai and specifically Bur Dubai is the place to be with a many places hosting a sarvajanik mandal (public tents for Ganesh darshan). Secondly if you haven't already, its time you book the idols.

*Important fact: Ganesh Visarjan in Dubai has recently been made legal in public waters namely the Dubai Creek, where you have to book a boat or an abra that takes you towards the deeper waters to immerse your idols.

Comments

  1. Wow, I miss India so much....I am working here in Oman and we have many Indians over here, and we all are so proud of fellow mates especially P Mohamed ali, he has made Indian community proud here,but he needs support to fight the charged lewd on him, kindly support him here: http://bit.ly/17piUIN

    ReplyDelete
  2. even i have a blog yodiaries.com and i live in Dubai :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi thanks for giving me this information .please don't mind since this is my 1st time celebrating ganesha chaturthi in dubai so is that the information right can we do Ganesha visarjan as per that information. Nataraj 0554679812

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello,

      The Dubai Creek is under construction right now. You will have to go there and check if they still provide the visarjan facilities. I would suggest go a day or two prior to your visarjan day to avoid surprises.

      Delete
  4. Hi thanks for giving me this information .please don't mind since this is my 1st time celebrating ganesha chaturthi in dubai so is that the information right can we do Ganesha visarjan as per that information. Nataraj 0554679812

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Nataraj,

      The Dubai Creek is under construction right now. You will have to go there and check if they still provide the visarjan facilities. I would suggest go a day or two prior to your visarjan day to avoid surprises

      Delete

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