Gibraltar Hindu Temple

Gibraltar Hindu Temple

Exterior of the temple
Gibraltar Hindu Temple
Location within Gibraltar
Geography
Coordinates 36°8′31.45″N 5°21′7.1″W / 36.1420694°N 5.351972°W / 36.1420694; -5.351972
Country Gibraltar
Locale P.O. Box 1235, Engineer's Lane
Culture
Primary deity Rama along with his consort Sita, brother Laxman and his devotee Hanuman
History and governance
Date built 2000

The Gibraltar Hindu Temple (Sindhi: जिब्राल्टर हिन्दू मंदिर‎), also known as Gibraltar Mandir, is a Hindu temple (mandir) in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. Established in 2000, the Gibraltar Hindu Temple is located at Engineer Lane. Gibraltarian Hindus make approximately 1.8% of Gibraltar's population.[1] This is the only Hindu temple in Gibraltar and it serves as the spiritual centre for Hindu population of territory. The temple is a charitable organisation and aims to maintain and promote Hindu culture in Gibraltar. The presiding deity of the temple is Rama along with his consort Sita, brother Laxman and Hanuman, an ardent devotee of Rama. Besides, there are many other murtis in temple, including Jhulelal, iṣṭa-devatā of Sindhi people, and Guru Nanak, the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. The temple conducts several study classes related to different Hindu scriptures.

Arrival of Hindus in Gibraltar

Inauguration plaque

The earliest evidence of a Hindu presence in Gibraltar dates back to the 19th century. A year after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, Indian merchants began businesses in Gibraltar. However, they did not settle in the territory. Most of these traders were Sindhi.[2]

In the Gibraltar sovereignty referendum of 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain under British sovereignty, which led to the passing of the Gibraltar Constitution Order in 1969. In response, Spain completely closed the border with Gibraltar and severed all communication links.[3] As a result, Hindus who were residing in Spain and had British citizenship moved into Gibraltar. The total number of Hindus in Gibraltar in 1970 were 293 in comparison to 26 in 1961. Most of the Hindus in Gibraltar are of Sindhi origin.[2]

The Hindus joined in with integrated education and the percentage of arranged marriages within the community reduced.[2] On 1 March 2000, Gibraltar Hindu Temple was inaugurated at Engineer Lane, near to Main Street, the main arterial street.[4][5][6] The inauguration ceremony was attended by the then Governor of Gibraltar Richard Luce, Baron Luce.[6]

In 2012, the Mayor of Gibraltar, Anthony Lima, made the news when he announced that he was inviting the Hindu community into Gibraltar City Hall to celebrate the Hindu festival of Deepavali.[7]

Deities and worship

Temple altar with Rama at its centre

The presiding deity of the temple is Rama along with his consort Sita, brother Laxman and Hanuman, ardent devotee of Rama. Besides the main altar at front, there are four other small shrines, which include Vishnu-Lakshmi, Jhulelal, iṣṭa-devatā of Sindhi people, Shiva-Parvati with their younger son Ganesha and Radha Krishna. The temple also has statues of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus, Durga, fierce form of Devi and Sai Baba of Shirdi.[8]

The daily aarti is performed at 7:30 pm. Sathya Sai Baba satsanga and mantras chanting are part of the regular activities of the temple.[9] Shri Satyanarayan Katha is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) of every month.[9] In this religious ritual, the priest recite the katha, which is dedicated to Satyanarayan, a benevolent manifestation of Vishnu.[10]

Study classes

The temple conducts theological classes related to Hindu culture and Hindu scriptures. International Society for Krishna Consciousness also held a monthly Bhagvad Gita class. An hour-long Vedanta study group is conducted on Wednesdays.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Flag of Gibraltar". GeoNova Flags via HighBeam Research. 1 August 2007. Retrieved 12 November 2012.(subscription required)
  2. 1 2 3 Archer, Edward G. (2006). Gibraltar, identity and empire. London: Routledge. p. 45. ISBN 9780415347969.
  3. ↑ Cahoon, Ben (2000). "Gibraltar". WorldStatesmen. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  4. ↑ "Gibraltar Attractions – Historical Places of Worship". gibraltarinformation.com. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  5. ↑ Google (15 December 2012). "Gibraltar Hindu Temple" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Gibraltar Hindu Temple Inauguration Plaque." Commons.wikimedia.org. Wikimedia Commons, n.d. Web. 15 December 2012.
  7. ↑ "Hindu laud Gibraltar Mayor". Bharat Press. Indian News Media. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  8. ↑ "Virtual Tour". Gibraltarhindutemple.org. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  9. 1 2 "Events – Regular Events". Gibraltarhindutemple.org. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  10. ↑ Charles F. Keyes; E. Valentine Daniel (1983). Karma: An Anthropological Inquiry. University of California Press. p. 153. ISBN 978-0-520-04429-6. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  11. ↑ "Events – Regular Study Classes". Gibraltarhindutemple.org. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
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