Celebrations of Hanuman Jayanti in Pakistan
Laughter, excitement, prayers and moortis (sacred statues of Hindu gods and goddesses) doused with vibrant colors, these were the scenes witnessed as Hindu Community in Pakistan celebrates ‘Maha Yagya Pooja’ (the act of worship) on the birthday of their God Hanuman with a good deal of cultural zeal and vigor in Shri Panch Mukhi Hanuman Mandir in Karachi.
Citizens of the minority community gathered in great numbers to relish in the spirit and festivities of the occasion. From offering Bhajans to distributing prashad amongst each other, the holiday fervor seemed to grip every one. Maha Yagya Pooja is the act of worship in which Hindu Bhagts (worshippers) start their prayers by bathing Lord Hanuman with a liquid made with oil and sindoor. Consequently, people visit every holy statue of the gods and goddesses to offer Aarti (prayer/worship).
According to a sevak of the temple, Amar Nath, Shri Panch Mukhi Hanuman Temple is about 1500 years old and people of the minority Hindu community across the world come here to participate in the said festivities.
“Ours is one of the oldest temples. Maha Yagya Pooja is celebrated only in this temple in Pakistan. It had been celebrated by the Hindu community of the country in the past as well and people from many countries come here once a year on the birthday of Shri Hanuman to seek the blessings,” said Amar Nath.
Shri Panch Mukhi Hanuman Temple is located in the premises of Soldier Bazaar, Karachi. It is quite a big Temple surrounded by the houses of Hindu Community.
I was invited by one of my Hindu friends, Sanjay Kumar, who is more than just a friend. We’ve spent 14 years of our life together. Sanjay called me one day and asked: “Sohniya, are you free tonight?” I said,
“Yes Bhaijan, I am free tonight”. “So, do you want something interesting to witness?” he asked again. This time I was amazed because everytime he asks these types of questions, really means something interesting. I said what’s new today? This time he said to meet him at Karachi Press Club and he will tell me everything.
In the evening, while I and Sanjay were having tea at the club, he told me that he wants me to join him in the religious festival of Hindus. That’s it. That was all I needed after hectic weekend. Without any second thought, I said ‘YES’, I will surely come.
At 8pm, we were in the Mandir (temple where the festival was taking place). Our photographer friend Athar Hussain accompanied us and expressed his wish to take photos of the event. We were received by Vijay Maharaj, the Chairman of All Pakistan Hindu Community and currently the head of Shri Panch Mukhi Hanuman temple’s administration. Maharaj asked us to visit the temple and take part in the festivities.
Sanjay started to tell me about history behind the temple’s name and other interesting facts.
“As Amar Nath told us before, this historical temple is about 1500 years old. The name Shri Panch Mukhi Hanuman Mandir has a huge history. But at the time, I will only tell you the meaning of the name. Panch means five, whereas Mukhi means faces, so Shri Panch Mukhi Hanuman means five faces of Lord Hanuman. This temple was built by Muslims as a gift to their Hindu brothers. It had been observed that Lord Hanuman resided in this temple for more than 84 years. When Lord Hanuman was leaving the temple, he called his Bhagts and asked them to take care of this temple and don’t let anyone to demolish the ancient place.”
He was not finished yet but I interrupted him as I found something more interesting than Sanjay’s story. A little girl was present with her mother. In one hand, she was carrying a plastic bag in which there was something like oil and red powder in the second hand. She became my point of attraction. I got closer to her and asked: “Baita, ye apkay hath main kya hai?” (What’s in your hands, child?). Her mother replied: “Bhaiyya, ye tail Sindoor hai. (This is oil and Sindoor (a red-colored ‘holy’ cosmetic powder)). My next question was: “Ye kis liye?” (What is the use of it?). This time the girl, who seemed quite confident and happy, replied to me: “Tail Sindoor mila kar Hanuman ji ki moorti ko pilaya jata hai.” (This oil is mixed with Sindoor and then it is poured into Lord Hanuman’s statue.).
I told them to do the act as I want to see that. Instead, the mother asked me to do by myself. I was amazed and confused. However, I took the mixture of ‘Tail Sindoor ‘and headed towards small statue of Lord Hanuman. She then pointed the hole where I had to pour the mixture. I did it and it was really mesmerizing. I thanked them and turned to Sanjay with a victorious smile. He said that was the first act of you which has pleased me in 14 years. It was really amazing for me too. We then started to visit the temple and see more interesting things. In a corner, there was a bunch of Hindu ladies who were busy in saying Bhajans and ringing bells. I started to enjoy the voice of ringing bells. But suddenly I realised that I was standing between ladies and they all were laughing. I laughed too and left that corner immediately to escape any untoward act.
The temple was full of Lord Hanuman’s statues surrounded with people (both males and females and even kids who were enjoying the festival and taking part alongwith their parents). I realised that there was smell of agarbattis (a thin wooden stick covered in a substance that is burned to produce a pleasant smell). Though I was allergic but I stood by there to enjoy the act of worship going on that time. In the meantime, our photographer friend was busy in taking pictures and making footage of all events one-by-one.
Sanjay, who left me with bunch of ladies, came back and asked me to go with him. He wanted to show me something. There was a room all-sides covered and a huge queue of people standing there. I asked Sanjay what is inside? He replied: “Hanuman ji ki bohat bari moorti hai. Usko Tail Sindoor se nehlaya ja raha hai (There’s a huge statue of Lord Hanuman which is being bathed with Tail Sindoor).
“Woo hoo, I want to see that,” I shouted. Sanjay said we can go there only if Vijay Maharaj allows us. I called Maharaj and expressed my desire. He called Amar Nath and told him to take us inside. The very next moment, we were in. What I saw was thrilling. A huge statue of Hanuman was standing in the centre and one Sevak was busy in cleaning oil from its face. Amar Nath asked him to give us the mixture as we wanted to participate in the ceremony. I and Sanjay then bathed Hanuman’s statue with smile on our faces.
There were so many events to see and participate but unfortunately, we were running out of time. I asked Sanjay to leave as I had to reach office and file today’s report. Athar Bhai was also free and waiting for us. We gathered at the gate and waited for Vijay Maharaj. When he came, I and Athar Bhai thanked him for such a great protocol and letting us participate in the religious events. Leaving the temple, we chanted: “Jay Hanuman Gyan Gun Saagar” alongwith Maharaj and left.