શ્રી સ્વામિનારાયણ મંદિર , કરાંચી પાકિસ્તાન
SWAMI NARAYAN TEMPLE: IMMORTAL THOUGHT By Sharmeen Obaid, "Dawn" Review, July 13 2000 Built in 1882, the Swami Narayan Temple is one of the oldest in Karachi. Situated in the heart of the city behind the Lighthouse, this temple is home to almost 500 worshippers. It is reminiscent of the British era and is built in limestone. The stones are etched with designs that enhance the temple's structure. The temple is currently undergoing renovations undertaken by the Swami Narayan Trust. The Hindu gods Radha and Krishna are housed in the compound of the temple and every day at around five thirty in the morning and seven thirty in the evening, worshippers flock to pay their respects to them. The temple houses several other smaller gods as well. One of them being Ram Bukht Hanu who is offered oil and sindhur as part of a ritual. A number of big festivals are held at the temple, the most important of which is the Navratri Dasera, which goes on for nine nights. The temple's Durgah Matah does pooja for these nine nights. This festival is also very colourful with the boys playing dandiya and the girls doing the raas (dance). The entire Ramayan play is also enacted out by the children for everyone else to see. Holi, Diwali, and the Raksha Bundhan - the more popular Hindu festivals - are also celebrated with fervour at the temple. The atmosphere at the temple is very peaceful. Worshippers come and go at all times of the day making their offerings to the gods. In the bustle of the city, the Swami Narayan Temple is a blessing for those Hindus searching for sanctity. (c) Dawn
Diwlai in Mandir by rumana husain