Hindu Union of Mombasa
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| Abbreviation | HU |
|---|---|
| Motto | No Religion Beyond Truth |
| Established | 1899 |
| Founder | Shree Sundarlal Bhatt |
| Type | Religious Organisation |
| Headquarters | Shiva Temple, Makadara, Mombasa, Kenya |
Region served | Kenya |
Key people | CPA Kamal Anantroy Bhatt Dr. Madhu Patel Mr. Madhu Ruparelia Mr. Dinesh Parmar Mr. Ratilal Shah |
Overview
The Hindu Union of Mombasa is one of Kenya's oldest Hindu organisation, comprising of members specifically from the coastal region of Mombasa. The organisation is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and acts as a community for all Hindus, as all Hindus Caste's are welcome to visit the temples.[1]
Construction of Grand Shivalaay Temple
The Hindu Union was formed in 1899 after a group of emigrated Indians led by Shree Sundarlal Bhatt decided to walk village-to-village trying to gather funds to build a grand temple. Eventually after enough funds were gathered, a temple in Central Mombasa was built and a Lingam was constructed. Funds for the Makadara temple were additionally raised from all regional samajas within Mombasa.[2] After the constitution was created in 1928, a democratic system of governance was adopted, with philanthropist Dr. Kanubhai Babla, PhD being a past Trustee.[3]
Discovery of Gombeshwar Temple
In the late 20th Century, a number of naturally forming Lingam's were discovered in the Nyali beach area of Mombasa, within a cave. According to local folklore, the cave-temple was found when a group of local herders were puzzled after they noticed that one of their cows regularly released all of her milk at a specific yet random spot on the hills. They are then said to have approached some Hindu families living in the area to ask if they had any idea behind the strange behaviour by the cow.[5] The group then teamed up, made their way to the spot and started digging. That is how they ended up stumbling into the cave where they found a 'Shiva Lingam' – an abstract representation of the Hindu God Lord Shiva, who the local Hindus affectionately call "Gombeshwar" (ng'ombe in Swahili language means cow).[6] Now both temples are maintained by the Hindu Union.[7]
Festivals Celebrated
The Hindu Union of Mombasa is culturally responsible for celebrating numerous festivals.[8]
| # | Festival | Hindu Tithi of Observance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhogi | Bhogi marks the first day of the 4-day Sankrathi festivities and occurs one day before Makara Sankranthi marking the transition of the Sun into Makara rasi. |
| 2 | Makar Sankranti | Makara Sankranti or Pongal marks the transition of the Sun into Makara rasi. It marks the gradual increase of the duration of the day. |
| 3 | Vasant Panchami | Fifth day of the waxing moon of Magh (Hindu calendar). |
| 4 | Maha Shivaratri | Thirteenth night of the waning moon of Magh (Hindu calendar) |
| 5 | Holi | Full moon of the Phalgun month (Hindu calendar). |
| 6 | Vasant Navratri | First nine days of the Chaitra month (Hindu calendar). |
| 7 | Rama Navami | Ninth of the Chaitra month (Hindu calendar). |
| 8 | Gudi Padwa | First Day of waxing moon of Chaitra (Hindu calendar). |
| 9 | Mesha Sankranti | First day of solar month of Vaisakha. |
| 10 | Hanuman Jayanti | The festival is observed either in Chaitra (usually on the day of Chaitra Pournimaa) or in Vaishakha. |
| 11 | Sitalsasthi | Sixth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Jyestha (Hindu calendar). |
| 12 | Vat Savitri | Full moon of Jyeshta (Hindu calendar). |
| 13 | Guru Purnima | Full moon of Ashadh (Hindu calendar). |
| 14 | Raksha Bandhan | Full moon of Shravana (Hindu calendar). |
| 15 | Shitla Satam | Seventh Day after Raksha Bandhan. |
| 16 | Krishna Janmaashtami | Eighth day of waning moon of Bhadrapad (Hindu calendar). |
| 17 | Radhaastami | Eighth day of waxing moon of Bhadrapad (Hindu calendar). |
| 18 | Ganesh Chaturthi | Fourth day of the waxing moon of Bhadrapada (Hindu calendar). |
| 19 | Navaratri | First nine nights of the waxing moon of Ashvin. |
| 20 | Durga Puja | First ten nights of the waxing moon of Ashvin. |
| 21 | Vijaydashami | Tenth day of waxing moon of Ashvin (Hindu calendar). |
| 22 | Diwali | New moon of Ashvin (Hindu calendar). |
| 23 | Bhai dooj | Second day of the waxing moon of Kartik (Hindu calendar). |
| 24 | Kartik Poornima | Second day of the waxing moon of Kartik (Hindu calendar). |
| 25 | Skanda Sashti | Skanda Sashti is decided on lunar month during the sixth day of Karthika Masam. |
| 26 | Naga Panchami | Fifth day of Shravan month of the Lunar calendar. |
Last Rites Ceremonies
The Hindu Union is also responsible for holding and conducting the Antyesti of Hindus.
Gallery
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Statue of Lord Shiva at Hindu Union.
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Art of Lord Krishna at a Holi function.
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Maharudra rituals taking place in Mombasa.
-
Lord Nandi statue at Lord Shiva temple.
See also
Category:Hinduism in Kenya Category:Hinduism Category:Shaivism Category:Hindu temples in Kenya
References
- ↑ https://fortuneofafrica.com/kenya/towns-cities-kenya/mombasa-city/hindu-temples-in-mombasa/
- ↑ https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3ae9/8a3ea7d3acd1682faa678cc62eb49d4fe7e2.pdf
- ↑ "Dr. Kanubhai Babla PhD, HSC". The Times of India. January 2, 2018.
- ↑ https://sputniknews.com/india/202008201080223920-video-of-ancient-hidden-temple-of-lord-shiva-in-kenya-goes-viral-on-twitter-in-india/
- ↑ https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/56587-mystic-kenyan-cave-goes-viral-india-video
- ↑ https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/divers18-07/010069912.pdf
- ↑ https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Mombasa
- ↑ http://www.swaminarayan.org/vicharan/1999/09/01/index.htm
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