Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple, Karachi
{{Short description|Hindu temple in Karachi, Pakistan}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
|name = Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple
|image = The remains of a Hindu Temple,near Jehangir Kothari Parade.JPG
|alt =
|caption = Entrance to the underground Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple
|map_type = Pakistan Sindh#Pakistan#Asia
|coordinates = {{coord|24|48|45.9|N|67|01|36.0|E|}}
|coordinates_footnotes =
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|native_name =
|country = {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Pakistan
|state = Sindh
|district = Karachi
|location = Karachi
|elevation_m =
|elevation_footnotes =
| deity = Shiva
| primary_deity_Godess =
| utsava_deity_God =
| utsava_deity_Godess =
| Direction_posture =
| Pushakarani =
| Vimanam =
| Poets =
| Prathyaksham =
|festivals = Shivratri
|architecture = Hindu Temple
|architect =
|temple_quantity =
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}}
Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple is a historic underground Hindu temple in Karachi, Pakistan. It is located near the Clifton Beach in Clifton. The temple is famous for its annual Shivratri celebration,{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1243973|title=Hindus celebrate Maha Shivratri festival in Karachi|author=Shazia Hasan|date=7 March 2016|newspaper=Dawn|access-date=31 July 2020}} and during religious celebrations, around 25,000 pilgrims visit the temple.{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/pakistan/story/shri-ratneshwar-mahadev-temple-karachi-overpass-pakistani-hindus-hrcp-187674-2014-04-04|title=150-year-old Hindu temple under threat in Karachi|date=4 April 2014|newspaper=Indiatoday|access-date=31 July 2020}}
Architecture
Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple is an underground temple with six levels. There are two staircases near Jehangir Kothari Parade that leads to the underground levels. The fourth underground level is a courtyard floor made of marble. The fifth level has a tunnel which is believed to lead to the Mohatta Palace. There is also a fresh water spring inside the Cave.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1124362/|title=Cracks appear in Clifton temple near traffic project |author=Shazia Hasan|date=10 August 2014|newspaper=Dawn|access-date=31 July 2020}}
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 in the cave. The Pakistan Hindu Panchayat filed a case in Supreme Court against this, and the Court ordered restoration of the temple.{{Cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/789488/temple-case-shc-wants-restoration-work-to-start-immediately?amp=1|title=Temple case: SHC wants restoration work to start immediately|date=11 November 2014|newspaper=Paktribune|access-date=31 July 2020}}
Religious significance
Hindus in Karachi believe that the third eye of the Shiva watches the Sea and prevents the Sea disasters like floods from happening. It is believed that Lord Shiva used to live in this cave, and also that Guru Nanak used to meditate in this cave.{{Cite web|url=https://www.parhlo.com/mind-blowing-facts-about-the-shree-ratneshwar-mahadev-temple-karachi/|title=Mind blowing facts about the Shree Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple|date=5 November 2015|author=Ammara Mohsin|access-date=20 July 2020}}
Shivratri Celebration
On the Shivratri night, Hindus in Karachi fast and visit the temple. Later, devotees from the Chanesar Goth come to the temple carrying water from the Ganges, which Hindus generally consider to be sacred, in order to bathe the idol of Shiva. Puja is performed until 5 am, when an aarti is then done. Devotees then walk barefoot 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 for breakfast.
See also
References
{{reflist}}{{Hindu temples in Pakistan}}
Category:Hindu temples in Sindh
Category:Hindu temples in Karachi