Karachi: Once famous for its beautiful architecture, the century-old Ratan Talha Hindu temple in this Pakistani port city is now being used as an auto repair workshop.

The Auqaf department, an autonomous body which generates revenue from the Waqf properties through collection of rents/lease money, leased the historic temple, located on Ratan Street, to a private party that converted the shrine into an automobile workshop.

Abdul Qayum, the workshop's owner has converted the temple's main worship area into a storeroom and has restricted local Hindus from visiting it for worship.

The temple is spread over an acre with two-storey buildings, built for pundits and guests, surrounding it on three sides. A courtyard for public gatherings is located in the centre, and on one side is a worship area made of iron bars.

Qayum said he had leased the temple two decades ago and had no knowledge of it being a shrine as there were no statues of gods and goddesses when he received it from the Auqaf department. He also claimed that he had not restricted anyone from visiting the temple.
Source : PTI