Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Karachi
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| Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Karachi | |
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 The Shikhar of the Swaminarayan Temple in Karachi |
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| Name: | Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Karachi |
| Date built: | Year 1849 |
| Primary deity: | Narnarayan Dev and Lord Swaminarayan |
| Location: | Karachi |
The Swaminarayan Mandir, Karachi (Devnagari: श्री स्वमिनरयन मन्दिर, कराची) is a Hindu temple that belongs to the NarNarayan Dev Gadi of the Swaminarayan Sampraday and 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 Bunder road in Karachi city.[2] The temple celebrated its anniversary of 150 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] The original images of Lord Swaminarayan were removed and taken to India during the turbulent times of partition.[2] One murti that was originally at this temple is now located in Khan Village, Rajasthan.[2] There is a sacred cowshed within the premises of this temple.[3] The temple became a refugee camp in 1948.[4] Only in 1989, for the first time since the period of partition, a group of sadhus from the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad visited the temple.[5] Since then, small groups from the Ahmedabad temple pay this temple a visit every few years in a pilgrimage.
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[edit] Festivals
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.[6]
[edit] Guru Nanak Temple
According to the Pakistan Hindu Council, there is a Guru Nanak temple within the Swaminarayan Temple complex. Here, every Moon Night and the birthday of Guru Nanak, Wasakhee, days are also celebrated by Hindus.[7]
[edit] Hinglaj Yatra
The Hinglaj yatra starts from the Swaminarayan Temple complex here annually.[8]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Shri Swaminarayan Temple, Karachi.
- ^ a b c d e Men in Saffron on goodwill tour of Pak.
- ^ Rare Musharraf gesture: temple visit and talk of unity.
- ^ City on the edge.
- ^ City on the edge.
- ^ Temples in Pakistan: Swami Narayan Temple Opposite Kmc M.A Jinnah Road Karachi..
- ^ Temples in Pakistan: Swami Narayan Temple Opposite Kmc M.A Jinnah Road Karachi..
- ^ History of Hinglaj Maa.
[edit] External links
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