Shrinathji Temple, Manama: The Heritage of Bahrain's 200-Year-Old Krishna Temple
The Shrinathji Temple in the old souq of Manama is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Gulf, founded about two centuries ago by the Thattai Bhatia merchant community from Sindh. This guide covers its history, the Pushtimarg worship of Shrinathji, the redevelopment project, festivals and how to visit respectfully.
The Shrinathji Temple in the old souq of Manama is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Gulf, founded about two centuries ago by the Thattai Bhatia merchant community from Sindh. This guide covers its history, the Pushtimarg worship of Shrinathji, the redevelopment project, festivals and how to visit respectfully.
Quick answer: The Shrinathji Temple in the old souq of Manama, Bahrain, is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Arabian Gulf. It is commonly dated to around 1817 and was founded by the Thattai Hindu (Thattai Bhatia) merchant community, whose roots lay in Thatta in Sindh. The presiding deity is Shrinathji, Lord Krishna as the child who lifted Govardhan hill, worshipped in the Pushtimarg tradition of Shri Vallabhacharya. In 2019 Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the temple and marked the launch of its redevelopment. Check the temple community's official channels for current timings.
For the large Indian community in Bahrain, and for Gulf-based NRIs generally, the Shrinathji Temple is more than a place of worship. It is living proof of how long Hindu merchants have been part of Gulf society. This guide explains its history, its worship and how to visit.
Shrinathji Temple at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Deity | Shrinathji (Lord Krishna lifting Govardhan) |
| Tradition | Pushtimarg (Vallabha sampradaya) |
| Location | Old souq area, Manama, Bahrain |
| Founded | Commonly dated to around 1817 |
| Founding community | Thattai Hindu (Thattai Bhatia) merchants from Sindh |
| Major festivals | Janmashtami, Diwali and Annakut, Holi |
| Recent milestone | Redevelopment launched during PM Modi's visit, August 2019 |
A temple born of the Indian Ocean trade
Long before oil, Bahrain was a centre of pearling and trade, linked by sea to the ports of western India. Merchants from Sindh, Kutch, Gujarat and the Konkan sailed to the Gulf, dealing in pearls, textiles, spices, grain and timber. Some settled permanently in the trading towns of the region.
Among them were the Thattai Bhatias, a Hindu merchant community from Thatta in lower Sindh. As their numbers in Manama grew, they built a temple to Shrinathji, the deity at the centre of their devotional life. Tradition dates its founding to around 1817. Over the following two centuries, the temple became the spiritual anchor for successive generations of Hindu merchants and, later, for the much larger Indian community that came to Bahrain in the oil era.
The temple's survival through two hundred years of change reflects both the community's commitment and the tolerance of Bahrain's rulers, who allowed Hindu worship to continue in the heart of the old city.
Who is Shrinathji?
Shrinathji is a form of Lord Krishna as a seven-year-old child, his left hand raised to lift Govardhan hill and shelter the people and cattle of Vraj from Indra's storms, as told in the Bhagavata Purana. The form is the principal deity of the Pushtimarg, the path of grace founded by Shri Vallabhacharya in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries.
The main shrine of Shrinathji is at Nathdwara in Rajasthan, where the deity was installed in the seventeenth century. Pushtimarg temples elsewhere, known as havelis, follow the same style of loving, homely service (seva), treating the deity as a beloved child of the household.
- Seva through the day: Pushtimarg worship is organised around darshans that follow the child Krishna's day, from waking to rest.
- Shringar: the deity is dressed and adorned according to the season and festival.
- Bhog: food offerings are central, and the variety grows on festival days.
- Kirtan: devotional songs, including the haveli sangeet tradition, accompany worship.
The 2019 visit and redevelopment
In August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bahrain, the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the kingdom. He visited the Shrinathji Temple and marked the launch of a project to redevelop it, widely reported as a multi-million-dollar renovation. The visit drew global attention to the temple's history and to Bahrain's role as a home for diverse faiths.
Redevelopment projects of this kind take years and change over time. For the current state of the work and any changes to visiting arrangements, check the temple community's official channels or the Indian embassy in Bahrain.
Festivals at the Shrinathji Temple
- Janmashtami: the birth of Krishna, the most important festival for a Shrinathji temple, with midnight celebrations.
- Diwali and Annakut: a mountain of food offerings (annakut) is presented to the deity around Diwali and Govardhan Puja. Diwali in 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November.
- Holi and Phagun: the colourful spring season, celebrated with special shringar and songs.
- Navratri and Dussehra: Navratri 2026 runs from 11 to 19 October, with Dussehra on Tuesday 20 October. See our Navratri 2026 NRI guide.
For the month ahead, see our October 2026 festival calendar. Exact festival programmes in Manama are announced by the temple community.
Visiting etiquette
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees; traditional Indian clothes are ideal.
- Remove shoes before entering and follow volunteers' directions.
- Pushtimarg darshans open for limited periods; ask the temple about current darshan times rather than relying on old information.
- Ask before taking photographs, and do not photograph the deity if it is not allowed.
- The temple is in a busy, historic market area; use public transport or park legally nearby.
- Respect local laws and customs in Bahrain, both inside and outside the temple.
Why the temple matters to Gulf NRIs
Indians are one of the largest expatriate communities in Bahrain, and many families have lived there for generations. For them, the Shrinathji Temple is a reminder that their story in the Gulf did not begin with the oil boom; it began with seafaring merchants who brought their faith with them two centuries ago.
It also offers a model for diaspora Hindus everywhere: a small community that kept its worship alive, built good relations with its hosts, and passed its heritage down the generations. Visiting with children, and telling them that story, is one of the best ways to honour it.
Frequently asked questions
How old is the Shrinathji Temple in Bahrain?
The temple is commonly dated to around 1817, which makes it roughly two centuries old and one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Gulf region. It was founded by the Thattai Hindu (Thattai Bhatia) merchant community, who traced their origins to Thatta in Sindh.
Who is Shrinathji?
Shrinathji is Lord Krishna as a seven-year-old child, lifting Govardhan hill with his left hand to shelter the people of Vraj. He is the principal deity of the Pushtimarg tradition founded by Shri Vallabhacharya, and his main shrine is at Nathdwara in Rajasthan.
Where is the Shrinathji Temple in Manama?
It is in the old market (souq) area of Manama, Bahrain's capital, close to the historic commercial heart of the city. Ask locally or check the temple community's official channels for directions.
Did Prime Minister Modi visit the Bahrain temple?
Yes. During his visit to Bahrain in August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Shrinathji Temple and marked the launch of a redevelopment project for the temple. Check official sources for the current status of the project.
Can non-Hindus visit the Shrinathji Temple?
Visitors who come respectfully are generally welcome, but practices can vary and the temple is first a place of worship. Dress modestly, remove shoes, follow the volunteers' guidance and ask before taking photographs.
Editor's note
Editor's note (5 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. It covers well-established facts about the temple's history, deity and festivals. The founding date is the one commonly cited; we have not listed darshan times, addresses or contact details, and the redevelopment status may have changed. Please check the temple community's official channels before you visit.
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