
Honouring Freedom in Our Community Today
' Honoring Freedom' for the Thattai Bhatia Hindu community in Bahrain means celebrating the religious tolerance, cultural preservation, and peaceful coexistence that have defined their journey for generations. Originally from Sind in undivided India (now in Pakistan), the Thattai Bhatias were among the earliest Indian expatriates in Bahrain, arriving even before oil was discovered. Deeply devout, they felt the need for a spiritual centre that would allow them to stay connected to their faith and cultural heritage.
This aspiration was ful filled when the great-great-grandfather of His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa generously granted them permission to establish the Shrinathji Krishna Hindu Temple in Manama Souq—an enduring symbol of Bahrain's commitment to religious freedom. That gesture not only empowered the community spiritually but also affirmed Bahrain's ethos of inclusion and respect for diversity.
Today, this temple stands not just as a place of worship, but as a living testament to the values of freedom, faith, and coexistence. It reminds the community of their roots, the welcoming spirit of Bahrain, and their own role in shaping a shared future. As the largest expatriate group in the country, Indians—particularly the Thattai Bhatias—continue to honor this freedom by upholding their traditions while contributing meaningfully to Bahraini society.
Inspiring the Future Through Culture, Youth, and Unity in Bahrain
Our association continues to inspire future generations in Bahrain by fostering cultural pride, social unity, and humanitarian service. Rooted in the traditions of the ancient Shrinathji Shri Krishna Temple, we actively promote Hindu culture through vibrant celebrations of major festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Janmashtami, Navratri, and more. These events not only engage the Hindu youth but also build bridges across communities, with festivals like the Color Festival (Holi) attracting participants from many nationalities and public security supporting us as a mark of mutual respect and goodwill.
Beyond religious observances, we contribute to Bahrain's social fabric through sustained philanthropic initiatives. For over 30 years, quarterly blood donation camps have drawn around 600 donors annually. We also extend support during Ramadan and in times of natural calamities, ensuring assistance reaches those in need via government-recognized channels.
To promote knowledge and spiritual development among youth and community members, we organize philosophical and spiritual discourses at various times during the year. We also manage cremation facilities at Askar, offering essential services with dignity to the Hindu population in Bahrain. Dignitaries and visitors from around the world visit our temple, drawn by its cultural significance and spiritual sanctity.
Through these efforts, our association continues to nurture a future rooted in compassion, cultural awareness, and community unity, serving as a bridge between tradition and progress in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Tribune
18 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Honouring Freedom in Our Community Today
TDT | Manama ' Honoring Freedom' for the Thattai Bhatia Hindu community in Bahrain means celebrating the religious tolerance, cultural preservation, and peaceful coexistence that have defined their journey for generations. Originally from Sind in undivided India (now in Pakistan), the Thattai Bhatias were among the earliest Indian expatriates in Bahrain, arriving even before oil was discovered. Deeply devout, they felt the need for a spiritual centre that would allow them to stay connected to their faith and cultural heritage. This aspiration was ful filled when the great-great-grandfather of His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa generously granted them permission to establish the Shrinathji Krishna Hindu Temple in Manama Souq—an enduring symbol of Bahrain's commitment to religious freedom. That gesture not only empowered the community spiritually but also affirmed Bahrain's ethos of inclusion and respect for diversity. Today, this temple stands not just as a place of worship, but as a living testament to the values of freedom, faith, and coexistence. It reminds the community of their roots, the welcoming spirit of Bahrain, and their own role in shaping a shared future. As the largest expatriate group in the country, Indians—particularly the Thattai Bhatias—continue to honor this freedom by upholding their traditions while contributing meaningfully to Bahraini society. Inspiring the Future Through Culture, Youth, and Unity in Bahrain Our association continues to inspire future generations in Bahrain by fostering cultural pride, social unity, and humanitarian service. Rooted in the traditions of the ancient Shrinathji Shri Krishna Temple, we actively promote Hindu culture through vibrant celebrations of major festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Janmashtami, Navratri, and more. These events not only engage the Hindu youth but also build bridges across communities, with festivals like the Color Festival (Holi) attracting participants from many nationalities and public security supporting us as a mark of mutual respect and goodwill. Beyond religious observances, we contribute to Bahrain's social fabric through sustained philanthropic initiatives. For over 30 years, quarterly blood donation camps have drawn around 600 donors annually. We also extend support during Ramadan and in times of natural calamities, ensuring assistance reaches those in need via government-recognized channels. To promote knowledge and spiritual development among youth and community members, we organize philosophical and spiritual discourses at various times during the year. We also manage cremation facilities at Askar, offering essential services with dignity to the Hindu population in Bahrain. Dignitaries and visitors from around the world visit our temple, drawn by its cultural significance and spiritual sanctity. Through these efforts, our association continues to nurture a future rooted in compassion, cultural awareness, and community unity, serving as a bridge between tradition and progress in the Kingdom of Bahrain.


Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Daily Tribune
DXB Braces for Passenger Surge
TDT | Manama Dubai International Airport (DXB) is preparing for one of its busiest travel surges yet, with more than 3.6 million passengers expected between 13 and 25 August as families return from summer holidays and students head back for the new academic year. Peak travel forecast Daily passenger volumes are projected to average 280,000, with the highest single-day traffic anticipated on Friday, when over 290,000 travellers are forecast to pass through. The backto-school rush comes on the heels of a record-breaking first half of 2025, which saw Dubai welcome 9.88 million international overnight visitors, up 6 per cent year-on-year, and DXB process more than 46 million passengers. Operational readiness Dubai Airports said it is working closely with airlines, control authorities and commercial partners within the oneDXB community to ensure smooth operations during the peak. The airport is advising passengers to keep passports, boarding passes and visas ready, and to use Smart Gates for children over 12 to speed up passport control. Travel tips for passengers Passengers are also encouraged to make use of DXB's lounges, dining and duty-free shopping, and to consider public transport such as the Dubai Metro, which has stations at Terminals 1 and 3. Options including Uber, Careem, RTA taxis and car rentals are also available. Enhanced support for People of Determination includes marked accessibility routes, discreet assistance for Sunflower Lanyard wearers, and a dedicated Assisted Travel Lounge in Terminal 2. DXB remains the world's busiest international airport, a title it has held for years, and continues to expand its operational capacity in line with Dubai's aviation ambitions.


Gulf Weekly
2 days ago
- Gulf Weekly
Mystical charm of Salalah
melissa@ A Bahrain-based adventurer and overlander has added another feather to his wanderlust hat this summer by completing a 'soul-stirring' expedition to Oman. V Krishna Das, an Indian expatriate and business development manager, clocked in 4,500km in five days, exploring the beauty of Salalah. Overlanding or four-wheel-drive touring is a way of 'self-reliant overland travel to remote destinations' where the journey alone is the principal goal. 'Salalah during the Khareef season is breathtaking with its misty mountains, vibrant greenery and rhythmic pitter-patter of rain,' the 38-year-old told GulfWeekly. 'It felt like stepping into another world. Oman stands apart from other Gulf countries with its raw, untouched beauty. While cities like Dubai and Doha dazzle with modernity, Salalah offers a serene, almost mystical charm,' he added. 'Traversing the shifting terrains of Saudi Arabia and the UAE before entering Oman felt like peeling back the layers of the Gulf's diverse geography, but it was Salalah that truly stole the show.' Some of the places he covered during this trip were Ittin mountain, a scenic area with winding roads, foggy vistas, and cosy cafés nestled in the hills; Sheeheet sinkhole, a hidden gem and geological wonder in Dhofar region, boasting dramatic rock formations, and Marneef Cave and Blowholes where seawater shoots up when the tide is high. 'The landscape is so diverse in Oman and over 2,000km of driving revealed stunning contrasts – from golden desert dunes to fog-draped cliffs,' he recalled. 'Driving through the Rub'al Khali desert was an unforgettable experience. The vastness of this sandy expanse, with its endless horizon and shimmering dunes, was both humbling and awe-inspiring. 'On my visit to Ittin, I stayed in my car, surrounded by deep mist. There was zero visibility and nonstop rain, which was surreal – like being wrapped in nature's quiet embrace,' he added, talking about the highlights of the trip. Despite the excitement, Krishna found navigating the mountains through heavy fog and rain quite challenging. 'I relied heavily on offline maps and pre-planned fuel stops, especially in remote stretches. Staying flexible with my itinerary helped me adapt to weather delays and changing road conditions,' he explained. The adrenaline junkie, who has been living in Bahrain for 17 years with wife Soja and children, Veena, eight, and Advaith, three, started overlanding in 2014. He and his friend Pramod Ramachandran covered eight countries in the region over six days in a Mitsubishi Pajero. Since then, he has switched to travelling alone as he feels it helps him connect with his surroundings better. So far, he has visited several countries, including Yemen, Türkiye, Malaysia and Thailand, which are recorded on his YouTube channel @Das_VK_Vlogs. Krishna hopes to revisit Oman and experience the 'warmth and hospitality' of the Omani people once again. 'The people were so nice, especially in the smaller villages, which added a deeply personal touch to the adventure. Their kindness and quiet pride in their heritage were truly moving,' he said. 'I would like to thank Noushad Rawther, who guided me to all these incredible spots. His support made this journey more memorable,' he added.