Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Karachi

The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Karachi (Urdu: شری سوامی نارائن مندر‎) is a Hindu temple that is the only Swaminarayan temple in Pakistan.[1] The temple is notable for its size and frontage, over 32,306 square yards (27,012 m2) on the M. A. Jinnah Road in Karachi city.[2] The temple celebrated its anniversary of 216 years in April 2004.[2] It is believed that not only Hindus but also adherents of Islam visit the temple, which adds to its notability.[2] There is a sacred cowshed within the premises of this temple.[3] The temple is located at the centre of a Hindu neighbourhood in Karachi.[4][5] The building that housed a dharmshala (guest house) for visiting devotees has now been converted to the office of the City District Government.[6]

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
سوامی نارائن مندر
śrī svāmīnārāyaṇ mandir
The Shikhar of the Swaminarayan Temple in Karachi
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictKarachi
DeityNara Narayana and Swaminarayan
Location
LocationM. A. Jinnah Road, Karachi
StateSindh
Country Pakistan
Location within Karachi
Geographic coordinates24°51′15.7″N 67°00′28.7″E
Architecture
TypeHindu temple architecture
Completed1849

Independence of Pakistan and India and after

The temple became a refugee camp in 1947.[7] The original images of Swaminarayan were removed and taken to India during the turbulent times of independence.[2] One murti that was originally at this temple is now located in Khan Village, Rajasthan.[2] People who wished to settle in India from all over Sindh awaited their departure to India by ship at this temple. The temple was visited by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan during this period.[8] In 1989, for the first time since the independence in 1947, a group of sadhus from the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad visited the temple.[7] Since then, small groups from the Ahmedabad temple pay this temple a visit every few years in a pilgrimage.

Festivals and events

According to the Pakistan Hindu Council, Swaminarayan Jayanti, Ram Navami, Janmastami, Dussehra, Diwali and almost all of the main religious festivals are celebrated by Hindus in this temple.[9] Holi is celebrated with the holi bonfire lit at the centre of the temple grounds, followed by the play with colours. Janmashtami is celebrated with singing bhajans and sermons on Krishna, while on Diwali, devotees light lamps and candles to welcome Rama from his fourteen-year exile, at the end of which he defeated Ravana and young men burst crackers at the temple on the occasion.[10][11][12] The Holi festival celebrations that take place at this temple are the biggest in Karachi.[13]

The temple also doubles as a marriage venue. In 2008, a mass wedding arrangement was made for 20 poor couples.[14]

Hinglaj yatra

The Hinglaj yatra starts from the Swaminarayan Temple complex here annually.[15]

Gurdwara

In the Swaminarayan Mandir complex in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan where a small Hindu community lives, a Gurdwara has been created for the small Sikh community.

The Gurdwara Sahib houses three sets of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in the Palki Sahib. There are pictures of the Gurus and a small shrine devoted to Guru Nanak Dev Ji. There is a Hindu bell in the Gurdwara Sahib as well.

The whole compound is protected by a security guard to protect the small number of Hindu families.

  • Interior of Gurdwara in Swami Narain Mandir Complex, Karachi
  • Exterior of Gurdwara in Swami Narain Mandir Complex, Karachi
  • Exterior of Gurdwara in Swami Narain Mandir Complex, Karachi
  • Exterior of Gurdwara in Swami Narain Mandir Complex, Karachi

See also

References
  1. "Shri Swaminarayan Temple, Karachi".
  2. "Men in Saffron on goodwill tour of Pak". Times of India. 2004-03-30. Retrieved 2009-04-10.
  3. "Rare Musharraf gesture: temple visit and talk of unity".
  4. "Minorities in Pakistan lack options – and hope". The National. 2009-08-19. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  5. "Rocking Karachi". H.M. Naqvi. Forbes.com. 2 September 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  6. "Dilapidated old building haunts CDGK employees". Daily Times. 2008-04-28. Archived from the original on May 2, 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  7. "City on the edge".
  8. Vazira Fazila-Yacoobali Zamindar (2007). The long partition and the making of modern South Asia. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231138468. Retrieved May 22, 2009. Page 52
  9. "Temples in Pakistan: Swami Narayan Temple Opposite Kmc M.A Jinnah Road Karachi". Archived from the original on 2012-08-15.
  10. "Pak Hindu community celebrates Holi in Karachi". The Cheers Magazine. 2008-03-23. Retrieved 2009-12-19.
  11. "KARACHI: Janamashtami festival celebrated". Dawn. 2009-08-15. Retrieved 2009-12-19.
  12. "Karachi: A place for all souls". globalpost.com. 2009-11-07. Retrieved 2009-12-19.
  13. "Hindus in Pakistan set to celebrate Holi". Gulf Times. 20 March 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  14. "Swami Narayan Temple – Eternal bliss". Daily Times. 2008-11-02. Archived from the original on February 23, 2011. Retrieved 2009-12-19.
  15. "History of Hinglaj Maa".
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