Krishna Temple, Rawalpindi

Hindu temple in Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Shri Krishna Mandir, Rawalpindi

شری کرشنا مندر

Shikhara of Shri Krishna Mandir Rawalpindi

Religion
Affiliation| Hinduism
District| Rawalpindi District
Province| Punjab
Deity| Krishna
Festivals| Janmashtami, Diwali, Holi
Governing body| Evacuee Trust Property Board
Status| Open
Location
Location| Rawalpindi
Country|  Pakistan

Location in Punjab

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Location in Pakistan

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Geographic coordinates| 33°35′29.125″N 73°3′12.643″E﻿ / ﻿33.59142361°N 73.05351194°E﻿ / 33.59142361; 73.05351194
Architecture
Type|  Hindu Temple
Creator| Kanji Mal and Ujagar Mal Ram Rachpal
Date established| British Raj 1897; 128 years ago (1897)
Site area| 101 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

* List of Hindu temples in Pakistan
* Ramapir Temple, Tando Allahyar
* Hinglaj Mata mandir
* Kalka Cave Temple
* Umarkot Shiv Mandir
* Krishna Temple, Sadiqabad
* Baba Ram Thaman Shrine

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Sherazi, Qaiser (16 November 2023). "Diwali lights up Rawalpindi temples". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
2. ^ a b c Sherazi, Qaiser (3 October 2022). "A tale of the overlooked temples of Rawalpindi". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
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 (2 November 2016). "Krishna Mandir lights up on Diwali". Dawn. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
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.

* v
* t
* e

Hindu temples in Pakistan

Shakta pithas|

* Hinglaj Mata (Balochistan)
* Sharada Peeth (Azad Kashmir)

Notable temples|

| Balochistan|

* Kalat Kali Temple

|

Peshawar|

* Pir Ratan Nath Jee Temple
* Goraknath Temple
* Kalibari Mandir
* Panj Tirath

Punjab|

* Multan Sun Temple
* Amb Temples
* Jagannath Temple, Sialkot
* Katas Raj Temples
* Krishna Mandir, Lahore
* Lava Temple
* Malot temple
* Mari Indus temple
* Multan temples
* Prahladpuri Temple
* Rohtas temple
* Tilla Jogian Mandir
* Valmiki Mandir, Lahore
* Baba Ram Thaman Shrine
* Krishna Temple
* Shivala Teja Singh temple

Lahore|

* Krishna Mandir
* Valmiki Mandir
* Lava Mandir
* Other temples

Soon Valley|

* Katasraj temple
* Malot temple
* Amb Temples

Sindh|

* Nagarparkar Temples
* Churrio Jabal Durga Temple
* Shree Mamai Dev Ashtha
* Ramapir Temple
* Sadh Belo Island Mandir
* Amarkot Shiv Mandir
* Shri Varun Dev Mandir
* Shrine at Odero Lal
* Rama Pir Mandir
* Darya Lal Mandir
* Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple
* Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple
* Krishna Temple

Karachi|

* Pamwal Das Shiv Mandir
* Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
* Shri Varun Dev Mandir
* Shri Laxmi Narayan Mandir

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|

* Kafir Kot
* Mansehra Shiva Temple

* More temples in Pakistan

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