Swaminarayan Temple located in Karachi, Pakistan.
There are Swaminarayan temples in many countries of the world, including India, where devotees gather. Before the partition of India, there was a crowd of devotees at the Swaminarayan temple located in the city of Karachi in Pakistan, but after that this temple remained deserted for a long time. However, now the Swaminarayan temple will be renovated. The temple was established in Karachi 170 years ago by the original Swaminarayan sect of Kalupur (Gujarat). Due to the partition between the two countries in the year 1947, one of the two statues of Lord Krishna and Lord Swaminarayan was installed in Khan village of Jalore district in Rajasthan.
Let us tell you that this temple is the first and last Swaminarayan temple of Pakistan. The construction of the temple began in 1851 and after three years in 1854, it was completely ready. The 170-year-old temple complex is spread over an area of 27,012 square meters. Until 1947, not only local Hindus but also Hindus from nearby areas used to visit this temple. However, after the riots in Pakistan during partition, the situation of the temple changed completely.
A Dharamshala was also built for the devotees in the temple, but now the city district government office functions in this Dharamshala. In 1947, when riots broke out, a refugee camp was also established in this Dharamshala. Apart from this, a cow shed has also been established in this temple complex.
Swaminarayan temple to be renovated
For many years after partition, the condition of the temple was very bad, but then the local Hindus made efforts and managed to renovate the temple. Since there is a settlement of Hindus around this temple, worship is performed here every day. Furthermore, a large number of devotees also come here during the festive season. However, now the temple will be renovated again. The plan for the renovation of the Swaminarayan Bhagwan temple has been prepared by two saints of the Kalupur Swaminarayan sect located in Gujarat.
De. Swami and Dharmaswarupdasji will go to Karachi and the temple will be renovated under their guidance. A women’s prayer hall, Satsang Sabha and a hall will also be constructed in the temple premises. Since 1969, no saint or temple administrator has visited the Swaminarayan Bhagwan temple in Karachi.
The temple built 170 years ago will be renovated
During the partition of 1947, an idol of Lord Swaminarayan was taken to Khan’s village, Jhalor, in Rajasthan. Another idol was kept in the temple located in Karachi itself. Hari devotees from the Sindh region make donations to the temple. Donations of one to two million rupees are received in Pakistan every year. 170 years ago, the British had given land on lease for 99 years for this temple in Karachi port, now the legal process has been initiated to extend the lease.
