Darya Lal Mandir (also known as Darya Lal Sankat Mochan Mandir) is a Hindu temple in Karachi, Pakistan. It is located near Custom House, Saddar Town in the Sindh Province of Pakistan.[1][2] It is 300 years old.[3] The temple is dedicated to Darya Lal (Jhulelal),[2] who is considered as incarnation of Varuna Deva.[4]
| Darya Lal Sankat Mochan Mandir | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Karachi South District |
| Deity | Darya Lal (Jhulelal), incarnation of Varuna Deva |
| Festivals | Cheti Chand |
| Governing body | Evacuee Trust Property Board |
| Location | |
| Location | Saddar Town |
| State | Sindh |
| Country |  Pakistan |
  Shown within Sindh  Darya Lal Mandir (Pakistan)  Darya Lal Mandir (Asia) | |
| Geographic coordinates | 24°50′56″N 66°59′28″E / 24.84889°N 66.99111°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Hindu Temple |
| Date established | 300 years old |
History
editThe temple was constructed 300 years ago. The temple has a square shaped prayer area (40ft by 40ft). The temple was attacked in 1965 and in 1992 in retaliation of the Babri Masjid Incident.[2] The temple became office of the transporting company.[5] The temple was in a dilapidated condition and regular worshippers stopped coming.[2]
Architecture
edit
It was built using limestone and the Jung Shahi stone.[2] The temple is 40 feet wide, 40 feet long and 40 feet high. There are 40 blue snakes painted at the top of the temple.[3]
Renovation
editIn 2015, the temple was renovated as a part of Eduljee Dinshaw Road project. The façade of the temple was brought from India and during the renovation the dimensions of the temple were kept intact.[3] The temple was then inaugurated by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on 13 December 2015.[2]
Religious significance
editThe temple is dedicated to Darya Lal (Jhulelal) who is an incarnation of Varuna Deva. The temple also hosts Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesh. According to Gowswami Vijay Maharaj (caretaker of the temple), the temple hosts Lord Hanuman because when Hanuman flew to Lanka to save Sita from the clutches of Ravana over the sea, he was flying so fast that the Varuna Deva mounted his makara and asked who he was. After that every devotee who comes to worship Varuna Devta also pays their respects to Hanuman.[2]
References
edit- ^ Muhammad Salman Khan (8 November 2018). "Exploring Jhulelal - a symbol of interfaith harmony in Sindh". Express Tribune. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Tooba Masood (6 January 2016). "Finishing touches to renovated Darya Lal mandir". Dawn. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ a b c "Stroll through time on Eduljee Dinshaw Road". Express Tribune. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ Roshen Dalal (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books India. p. 178. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
- ^ Akhtar Balouch (16 September 2015). "8 to 1: Karachi's shrinking Hindu Gymkhana". Dawn. Retrieved 17 September 2020.