Motishwar Mandir Explained

Coordinates:23.6097°N 58.5882°W
Map Type:Oman# Asia
Country:Oman
Province:Muscat Governorate
Locale:Muttrah, Old Muscat
Deity:Adi Motishwar Mahadev, Motishwar Mahadev and Hanuman
Tradition:Shaivism
Festivals:Maha Shivaratri, Vasant Panchmi, Ramnavmi, Hanuman Jayanti, Shravan and Ganesh Chaturthi
Temple Quantity:3
Year Completed:1892-1909

Motishwar Mandir is a Shiva temple complex located near the Al Alam Palace in the Muttrah area of Old Muscat, Oman. It is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Middle East region.[1] The temple celebrates numerous Hindu festivals such as Vasant Panchmi, Ramnavmi, Hanuman Jayanti, Shravan and Ganesh Chaturthi. Over 20,000 Hindus visit the temple during Maha Shivaratri.[2]

History

The temple is believed to have been built 1909–125 years ago by the Thatta's Bhatia (Sindh Pakistan) community in Oman. The Bhatia community from Sindh Pakistan first settled in Muscat in 1507.[3] [4]

Overview

The complex contains three temples - Shri Adi Motishwar Mahadev Temple, Shri Motishwar Mahadev Temple and Shri Hanumanji Temple.[5] [6] Although Muscat is a desert, the temple's well has water throughout the year.[2] There are three priests in the temple along with three support staff and four administrative staff, besides a whole gamut of volunteers rendering their services.[7]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the temple on 12 February 2018, during his state visit to Oman, and performed an abhishekam and interacted with the members of the Temple Management Committee.[8]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Staff Report. Modi visits 125-year-old Shiva temple. GulfNews. 14 February 2018. 12 February 2018.
  2. Book: This is the temple PM Narendra Modi will visit in Oman. 18 July 2017. 9781139431279 . Markovits . Claude . Cambridge University Press .
  3. Book: The Global World of Indian Merchants, 1750–1947: Traders of Sind from Bukhara to Panama . 9781139431279 . Markovits . Claude . 22 June 2000 . Cambridge University Press .
  4. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781139431279. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2017
  5. News: PM Modi visits Shiva Temple in Muscat. Business Standard India. 14 February 2018. 12 February 2018.
  6. Web site: PM Modi Visits Shiva Temple In Muscat, One Of The Oldest In Gulf. Outlook India. 14 February 2018.
  7. Web site: This is the temple PM Narendra Modi will visit in Oman . 12 February 2018 .
  8. Web site: Narendra Modi prays at a 125-year-old shiva temple in Muscat. The Hindu. 14 February 2018. en-IN. 12 February 2018.