KARACHI, PAKISTAN, APril 17, 2008: One of Pakistan’s most revered Hindu shrines, a centuries-old Hanuman temple in this southern port city, is set to be renovated thanks to the efforts of the community. The aesthetically designed Shri Panch Mukhi Hanuman temple is a heritage landmark of Karachi with to its unique five-headed statue of Lord Hanuman, an ancient murti.
The government has not extended help for the renovation, and representatives of the temple’s management said the work will be done with contributions made by the Hindu community. “Over the past few years, the number of devotees has increased and so we need to expand the temple. Moreover, the structure of the temple is becoming weaker” said Pawan Kumar Perchani, the advisor to the priest.
According to Hindu belief, Lord Hanuman evolved a form with five heads and ten arms to combat powerful evil forces and rescue Lord Ram and Lord Laxman from the clutches of demons during the Ramayana war.