Shri Krishna Temple (Shreenathji Temple)

The Shri Krishna Temple, also known as the Shreenathji Temple, stands in the old Manama Souq area of Bahrain and is among the oldest Hindu temples in the Gulf. It serves the Indian merchant community that has traded in Manama for roughly two centuries, a presence that grew out of the trade links between the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent in the pearl and textile era. The temple is dedicated to Krishna in the form worshipped as Shreenathji, and it records the long tradition of religious tolerance in the kingdom.

The temple is a modest but active place of worship rather than a museum, and its significance is as much social as architectural. It sits among the lanes of the souq, so its small entrance is easy to miss, and it is hemmed in by shops and houses. Inside, the shrine rooms are decorated with devotional images, brass lamps and fresh flowers, and the atmosphere is that of a working community temple. Worship follows a daily rhythm of morning and evening darshan, when the deity is opened to devotees, and the busiest times coincide with festivals such as Janmashtami, Diwali and Holi.

The temple has been maintained and renovated by the community over the years, and it remains in regular use. The older merchant families, many of them linked to the traditional trade of the souq, have kept the building in good condition. Because it is an active shrine, there is no set curatorial route. Visitors who wish to see it are generally welcome as long as they dress modestly, remove their shoes and behave respectfully. Photography of the deities may be restricted, so it is courteous to ask first.

Admission is free, though small donations are customary. Darshan times vary, and the temple can be reached on +973 1725 6131 to confirm the schedule. The temple is easy to combine with a visit to Bab Al Bahrain and Manama Souq, which are within a few minutes' walk.