1500 years old Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir located at Soldier Bazaar in Karachi is one of the oldest hindu temples in Pakistan.
The temple holds special significance for Hindus as it is the only shrine in the world which has a “natural statue” of Hanuman that is not man-made.
The blue and white 8 feet statue was found many centuries ago at the place where the temple now stands; it bears all five aspects of Hanuman : Narasimha, Adivaraha, Hayagriva, Hanuman and Garuda.
It is believed that such naturally-formed idols of deities possess exceptional power and appear to bless worshippers.
Upon entering the temple, one is struck by the intricately carved yellow stone structure in the middle of the temple premises.
This temple’s renovation work has started in 2012 and to preserve the look of the temple, its original yellow stones are being used to rebuild the arched walls.
The small front porch has pillars of carved yellow stone on either side with a black and white marble floor, a wide passage for clockwise circumambulation (parikrama / pradakshina) runs around it.
It is believed that completion of 108 rounds around the chambers, cleanses all pain, evil and adversity, making this temple a citadel of healing for all castes and creed.
This is one of the few hindu temples in Pakistan to survive the onslaught on temples in the area that followed the demolition of Babri Masjid in India.
Multiple communities like Maharashtrians, Sindhis, Balochis visit this temple.
Such sites represent vestiges of ancient lore in Hindu mythology, they also stand like warriors of Time; pitted testaments of a peaceful, pluralistic past.
