Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Karachi

Coordinates: 24°51′15.7″N 67°00′28.7″E / 24.854361°N 67.007972°E / 24.854361; 67.007972
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Shri Swami Narayan Mandir
سوامی نارائن مندر
Śrī Svāmī Nārāyaṇ Mandir
Sindh
CountryPakistan Pakistan
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Karachi is located in Karachi
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Karachi
Location within Karachi
Geographic coordinates24°51′15.7″N 67°00′28.7″E / 24.854361°N 67.007972°E / 24.854361; 67.007972
Architecture
TypeHindu temple architecture
Completed1788

The Shri

M. A. Jinnah Road in Karachi city.[2] The temple celebrated its anniversary of 216 years in April 2004.[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]

Independence of Pakistan and India and after

The Shikhar of the Swaminarayan Temple in Karachi

The temple became a refugee camp in 1947.

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,

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

Sikh
community.

The Gurdwara Sahib houses three sets of Sri

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.

Gallery

  • Interior of Gurdwara in Swami Narain Mandir Complex, Karachi
    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
    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. ^ a b c d "Men in Saffron on goodwill tour of Pak". The Times of India. 2004-03-30. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. 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. 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. ^ a b "City on the edge". Archived from the original on June 1, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. 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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  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. 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".

External links

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