Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple, Karachi

Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple in one of the historic Hindu temple in Pakistan. It is located near the Clifton Beach in Clifton in Karachi ,Sindh. The temple is famous for its annual Shivratri celebration[1] During religious celebrations, around 25,000 pilgrims visit the temple.[2]

Entrance to the underground Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple

Architecture

Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple is an underground temple. The temple is considered as one of the most beautiful architectural wonders in the city. There are six underground levels in the temple. There are two staircases near Jehangir Kothari Parade that leads to these underground levels. The fourth underground level is a courtyard floor made of marble. The fifth level has a tunnel which is believed to be leading to the Mohatta Palace. There is also a fresh water spring inside the Cave. [3]

In 2014, under Clifton traffic improvement project the construction of two underpasses and a flyover were started near the temple due to which cracks started appearing on the Cave.[3] The Pakistan Hindu Panchayat filed a case in Supreme Court against this and the Court order for the restoration of the temple. [4]

Religious significance

Hindus of Karachi believe that the third eye of the Shiva watches the Sea and prevents the Sea disasters like floods from happening. [3] It is believed that Lord Shiva used to live in this underground cave. It is also believed that the Guru Nanak used to meditate in this underground cave. [5]

Shivratri Celebration

On the Shivratri night, Hindus in Karachi observe fasting and goes to the Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple. Later, devotees from the Chanesar Goth comes to the temple carrying Holy Ganga water. With this Holy water the Lord Shiva is bathed. The Poojas will be done till 5 am. At 5 am an aarti will be done. Then devotees walk barefooted with women carrying a pooja thali containing flowers, incense sticks, rice, coconut and a diya to the sea after which they are free to break their fast. Later they eat food prepared in the temple kitchen to break fast.[1]

See also

Reference
  1. Shazia Hasan (7 March 2016). "Hindus celebrate Maha Shivratri festival in Karachi". Dawn. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  2. "150-year-old Hindu temple under threat in Karachi". Indiatoday. 4 April 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  3. Shazia Hasan (10 August 2014). "Cracks appear in Clifton temple near traffic project". Dawn. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  4. "Temple case: SHC wants restoration work to start immediately". Paktribune. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  5. Ammara Mohsin (5 November 2015). "Mind blowing facts about the Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple". Retrieved 20 July 2020.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.