ANCIENT HIND TEMPLES IN PAKISTAN
Authored By
Shri Arun Sharma
https://www.facebook.com/groups/418578042336351/permalink/650051872522299/
MORE THAN 1000 YEARS OLD ,VARUN TEMPLE IN MANORA. (Near Karachi )
It is probably the Only Temple & Certainly The Oldest & Largest Dedicated to The HINDU God Varuna in the Entire Indian Sub — Continent . From 2017, Onwards This Temple is Fully Preserved by the U.S Aid $ 2,50,000.
वेदा यो वीनां पदभंतरिक्षेण पतताम वेद नावःसमंद्रिय
वेद मासो घृतव्रतो द्वादश प्रजावतः वेदा य उपजायते
बिभ्रद्द्रापिं हिरण्ययं वरुणो वस्त निर्णिजम।
परि स्पशो निषेदिरे।।
A.HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF VARUN TEMPLE
1.Though we don’t have Exact Details about the Date Built, As per the History it was Built before 10 Th Century.Few believe that around 16th century, a Wealthy Sailor, Bhojomal Nancy Bhattia bought Manora Island from the Khan of Kalat, who Owned Most of the Land Along The Coastline at that Time & then his Family took over this Temple .
2.Exact date and year of first construction is not known as much history & Inscriptions of Hindu Temples in Pakistan have been Destroyed.It is widely believed that the Current Structure was renovated in around 1917–18
B. STATUS OF THE TEMPLE AFTER 1947.
1.At Present, This Temple belongs to the Pakistan Hindu Council. Evacuee Trust Property Board has done nothing to protect or Preserve This Ancient Heritage.
2.The Temple’s decayed appearance reflects a lack of care, & its Walls & Rooms once served as a toilet For visitors to Manora’s Sandy Beach.
3.Humid Winds are Eating into The Structure & The rich Carvings on The Walls of the Mandir are Slowly Eroding.
4a.This Temple was sealed in the 1992, after Few People broke into it and Destroyed the Structure, following the Babri Masjid incident in Ayodhya, India.The last Pooja ritual held at this place was in 1950s.
4b The Temple, which also Houses Two Smaller Temples, the Jhoolay Laal & Shiva Temples .
C.CURRENT SCENARIO AND FUNDING
1.Kaleemullah Lashari is the Conservation Director and Team Members are working under the Authority of Pakistan Navy, Sindh Exploration and Adventure Society.
2.This Project is funded by U.S. Fund for Cultural Preservation , A F C P will provide $250,000 in funding to Rehabilitate Varun Dev Temple on Manora Island.
3. In Dec 2015, the Temple Received $250,000 Funding from the US Ambassador Fund for Cultural Preservation (A F C bP) & its Restoration Started in Collaboration with the Sindh Exploration and Adventure Society (SEAS).
4.April 2017 Story in Daily Times states, “Consul General Grace Shelton visited the Shri Varun Dev Mandir – A Historic Hindu Temple Dedicated to the Lord of the Seas (Varuna) and believed to be the only Temple Dedicated to the Lord of the Seas in Pakistan – today at Manora Island.
5.April 2017 Story in Daily Times states, “Consul General Grace Shelton visited the Shri Varun Temple .She Appreciated The Preservation Efforts for The Temple, made by Sindh Exploration and Adventure Society (SEAS) under a U.S. Government – Funded Project.”
Source :
1.https://www.theoctobersky.com/ancient-civilizations/fact-check-1000-year-old-ancient-varuna-dev-temple-in-pakistan-as-a-toilet-for-tourists
2.https://dailytimes.com.pk/188915/us-consul-general-celebrates-successful-completion-varun-dev-temple-project/
3.https://www.altnews.in/trueindology-truefraudology-part-3-exposing-fakery-rebuttal/
4.https://www.religionworld.in/hindu-temples-in-foreign-lands-shri-varun-dev-mandir-karachi-pakistan/