The Shri Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir was a popular pilgrimage centre for Hindus and the closest temple of Lord Hanuman for the Sindhi people of Pakistan. But in 1987, the temple was demolished by land-grabbers. The temple was rebuilt with the help of the temple management and devotees, but soon after, it was demolished once again in 2001. A political party took over the land. But the temple management took the case to court and won back partial control of the land.
The History of Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir
The Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple is a temple of Lord Hanuman where his idol is in the form of five heads. It is believed that Lord Hanuman appeared in the dreams of a devotee and informed him that he wished the devotee to build a temple of him at that very place where the dream had taken place. The devotee was surprised, but Lord Hanuman said he had promised a temple to the Brindwans who had rooted for him at war between him and a demon Mahiravana. The devotee then built the Panch.
Origin of Sri Panchamukha Hanuman
Sri Panchamukha hanuman is a form of hanuman which has five heads. This form of Hanuman is very powerful. One of the main reasons for the power of this Hanuman is because he is the son of the wind god. The origin of the Sri Panchamukha Hanuman can be traced to a story in the Ramayana. During the epic war between Lord Ram and Ravana. Lord Ravana took the help of Mahiravana, who was the king of pathala.
Location
The temple is one of the most visited places in Karachi, Pakistan. It is the only temple worldwide with the lifelike statue of Lord Hanuman in its original form. As per Hindu mythology, Hanuman had five faces, each representing one of the five elements of nature, Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky. This lifelike statue of Lord Hanuman also has five faces. This historic temple is in Soldier Bazaar and is a must-see for any Hindu in the area.
The oldest temple in the city
Shri Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir is one of the most important historic Hindu temples in Pakistan. It is in the Soldier Bazaar in Karachi in Pakistan’s Sindh Province. It is a 1,500-year-old temple. It is the first Hindu temple in Pakistan and the second outside India. It was built by the Maharaja of Kutch, rulers of a princely state in India. In 2014, it was renovated, and a modern pavilion was added.
Panchmukhi (five-faced) Hanuman
The mythological and religious significance of Panchmukhi Hanuman has been discussed in detail in many articles, and I have just put the picture of this sacred idol. I am sharing this information with you to become aware of it. You can keep a picture of Panchmukhi Hanuman in your house as this would bring divine blessings and peace of mind. However, if you are not comfortable keeping a picture of Panchmukhi Hanuman in your house, you can get a Panchmukhi Hanuman statue installed.
Religious Significance
Many temples in India have a huge significance in Hinduism. They are the embodiment of faith, devotion, and love towards the almighty. It is believed that the god’s soul is present in the idols of the temple.
The Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir is one such temple with significant religious importance. The temple is in Nasik and is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The entire temple was built in the shape of Hanuman’s face, which is popularly known as ‘Panchmukhi’.
Conclusion
The Shri Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir was a popular pilgrimage centre for Hindus and the closest temple of Lord Hanuman for the Sindhi people of Pakistan. The temple was built in the late 19th century and has been restored multiple times since. The site temple was one of the most popular sites for Hindu pilgrimage in Sindh. The temple was erected by Seth Laxmi Das, a merchant from Dhanpur in Rajasthan. The main idol of the temple was a four-faced Hanuman. Local Hindus and Sindhis would visit the temple to worship the Hindu deity of Lord Hanuman. In the past, the temple was a popular site for Hindu pilgrimage in Sindh and served as a symbol of communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims in Pakistan.
