Karachi (PTI): 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 in Soldier Bazar is a heritage landmark of Karachi due to its unique five-headed statue of Lord Hanuman.

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, so the present priest, Shri Ram Nath Mishra, decided to take the initiative," Pawan Kumar Perchani, the advisor to the priest, told The News.

A few years ago, the renovation of the temple's dome cost the community Rs 1.8 million. It is expected that the community will have to raise more money for the renovation that is expected to start soon.

But members of the temple's management said funds are hard to come by. "We don't receive enough donations. Most of the money we collect every day is utilised for the day-to-day upkeep of the temple. We hope the Pakistan Hindu Council, formed recently, is able to raise funds now," said a caretaker.

The temple is of special significance to the Hindu community. Devotees say Lord Ram too visited the sacred site.

"The statue first 'appeared' in 1882, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. The entire land was surrounded by water back then," said Mishra, the priest of the temple.

Unlike some temples in Karachi that have fallen victim to vandalism, priests at this temple have managed to preserve it well. "When this temple was first constructed, the first (priest), Shri Guru Mahant Pancham Dasji, decided to preserve the temple in its natural form and we have been following in his footsteps," said Mishra.

Referring to the historic significance of the temple, Mishra said that 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, Lord Ram and Laxman were held captive and the only way to kill (the demons) was by extinguishing five lamps burning in different directions at the same time. So Lord Hanuman took this form to accomplish his task," he said.

Guru Mahant Pancham Das, a pious man, constantly prayed and meditated for 11 days for the "reappearance" of the Punch Mukhi or five-faced Hanuman. The local belief is that following this prayer session, a statue of Hanuman was found at the location of the temple.

Though the temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, it also has statues of other Hindu gods. The temple is organising special ceremonies on Sunday to commemorate the birth of Lord Hanuman. Hundreds of Hindus from across Sindh province are expected to attend the celebrations.