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Krishna Temple, Rawalpindi

From Wikipedia - Reading time: 7 min
Shri Krishna Mandir, Rawalpindi
شری کرشنا مندر
Shikhara of Shri Krishna Mandir Rawalpindi
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictRawalpindi District
ProvincePunjab
DeityKrishna
FestivalsJanmashtami, Diwali, Holi
Governing bodyEvacuee Trust Property Board
StatusOpen
Location
LocationRawalpindi
CountryPakistan Pakistan
Krishna Temple, Rawalpindi is located in Punjab, Pakistan
Krishna Temple, Rawalpindi
Location in Punjab
Krishna Temple, Rawalpindi is located in Pakistan
Krishna Temple, Rawalpindi
Location in Pakistan
Geographic coordinates33°35′29.125″N 73°3′12.643″E / 33.59142361°N 73.05351194°E / 33.59142361; 73.05351194
Architecture
Type Hindu Temple
CreatorKanji Mal and Ujagar Mal Ram Rachpal
Date establishedBritish Raj 1897; 127 years ago (1897)
Site area101 square metres (1,090 sq ft)

The Shri Krishna mandir (Urdu: شری کرشنا مندر), or the Krishna Temple, is a Hindu temple located in Rawalpindi in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is situated between the Rawalpindi railway station and Kabari Bazaar in Saddar.[1] It was built during the late British Raj on 1897. Currently, it is one of the two places of worship for the approximately 7,000 Hindus living in Rawalpindi and Islamabad,[2] with the other handful of temples being non-functional.[3] Hindu festivals like Holi and Diwali are celebrated here.[4][5]

It covers an area of less than 4 marlas (around 101 m2).[2] The courtyard of the double-storey building has a capacity to accommodate around 100 worshippers.[6]

History

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The foundation plaque mentioning Kanji Mal and Ujagar Mal Ram Rachpal as the founders of the temple in British Raj era 1897

The Krishna temple was built during the British Raj by brothers Kanji Mal and Ujagar Mal Ram Rachpal, two wealthy businessmen of Saddar, in 1897 as a place of worship for the Hindus living in the surrounding areas.[2] From 1947 to 1948, it was closed to avoid religious violence that followed the partition. It was reopened in 1949 and was handed over to the local Hindu Punchayat for those Hindus who chose to remain in Pakistan and it became the main place of worship for Rawalpindi Hindus.[3]

In 1970, the temple was taken over by the Evacuee Trust Property Board,[3] which leased the area surrounding it to local traders. The Hindu community has been protesting against this occupation of the temple land. The temple was frequented by diplomats living in Islamabad until the 1980s.[6]

Currently, it serves as the main temple for the estimated 50 Hindu families residing in the city, with two prayers held daily. It is also frequented by Hindus visiting from Sindh.[3]

Renovation

[edit]

In 2018, the Punjab government released Rs. 20 million to renovate the temple.[6] The renovation and restoration was completed in 2020.[7]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sherazi, Qaiser (2023-11-16). "Diwali lights up Rawalpindi temples". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  2. ^ a b c Sherazi, Qaiser (2022-10-03). "A tale of the overlooked temples of Rawalpindi". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  3. ^ a b c d Yasin, Aamir (8 March 2020). "Krishna Temple- the only worship place for twin cities' Hindus". Dawn. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  4. ^ Yasin, Aamir (25 March 2019). "Krishna Mandir comes alive as Hindus celebrate Holi, Pakistan Day". Dawn. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  5. ^ Yasin, Aamir (2016-11-02). "Krishna Mandir lights up on Diwali". Dawn. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  6. ^ a b c Yasin, Aamir (20 May 2018). "Rs20m released to renovate Krishna Mandir Aamir Yasin". Dawn. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  7. ^ Mehmood, Asif (20 May 2020). "Religious sites: Restoration of Sikh and Hindu temples to expedite after lockdown". Express Tribune. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 | Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna_Temple,_Rawalpindi
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