Shri Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir | |
Map Type: | Sindh#Pakistan#Asia |
Coordinates: | 24.8606°N 67.0206°W |
Native Name: | شری پنکھ مکھی ہنومان مندر |
Country: | Pakistan |
State: | Sindh |
District: | Karachi East District |
Location: | Soldier Bazaar |
Deity: | Panchamukhi Hanuman |
Festivals: | Diwali, Holi, Hanuman Jayanti |
Architecture: | Hindu Temple |
Temple Quantity: | 1 |
Established: | around 500 AD |
The Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir is a historic Hindu mandir in Karachi, Pakistan[1] The mandir was declared as a national heritage under the Sindh Cultural Heritage (Preservation) Act 1994 and is believed to be at least 1,500 years old.[2]
The mandir is estimated to be built about 1500 years ago. It is believed that during exile, Rama visited the place where the temple stands. Centuries ago, an image of Hanuman was excavated and a mandir was built on the spot.[3] [4] Hindus believe that the image of Hunuman was divinely revealed, and that it was not man made.[5]
The mandir initially resided on a 2,609 square foot plot of land, but about half the land was later stolen. In 2006, the City District Government Karachi ordered that the land be returned to the temple in 2006. Despite the notice, the illegal land owners continue to reside on the land. In 2012, supported through donations collected from Hindu's locals and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, renovation of the mandir began. In 2019, more artifacts were excavated including eight to nine images of Hanuman, preliminarily thought to be at least 300 years old by the director of the National Museum of Pakistan, Muhammad Shah Bukhari.[6] [7]