Hindu Union of Mombasa

Hindu Union of Mombasa
AbbreviationHU
Established1899 (1899)
FounderHindu Communities
TypeReligious Organisation
HeadquartersShiva Temple, Makadara, Mombasa, Kenya
Region served
Kenya
Key people
Mr. Ratilal Shah
Dr. Madhu Patel
CPA Kamal Anantroy Bhatt
Mr. Madhu Ruparelia
Mr. Dinesh Parmar

Overview
Modern day Lord Shiva Temple in Mombasa, Kenya
Lord Shiva temple at Mombasa, Makadara

The Hindu Union of Mombasa is one of Kenya's oldest Hindu organisation, with 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
Banyan tree at Hindu Union of Mombasa

The Hindu Union was formed in 1899 after a group of emigrated Indians 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. Manilal Govindji Shah, and with philanthropist Dr. Kanubhai Babla, PhD being immediate past Trustee, a position they held till their death.[3] Dr. Suryakant B. Gor has given selfless service as past Chairman. A position he held for over 40 years, during his tenure he was instrumental in the development of the temple and acquisition of various properties held by the Hindu Union of Mombasa. Major renovations were also carried out in 2018 by Hasmukhbhai Patel of Mombasa Cement Ltd (MCL), free of cost to the temple.

Discovery of Gombeshwar Temple
Photograph of Lord Shiva Gombeshwar Lingam discovered in a Mombasa cave.

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.[4] 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).[5] Now both temples are maintained by the Hindu Union.[6]

An array of delicacies being served to Lord Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturti celebrations.

Festivals Celebrated

The Hindu Union of Mombasa is culturally responsible for celebrating numerous festivals.[7]

#FestivalHindu 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.

See also

References
  1. Hindu Temples in Mombasa | Fortune of Africa Kenya
  2. Ombongi, Kenneth S. (September 1993). Hindu socio-religious organizations in Kenya: a case study of Arya Samaj, 1903-1978 (Thesis). hdl:11295/19703.
  3. "Dr. Kanubhai Babla PhD, HSC". The Times of India. January 2, 2018.
  4. Mystic Kenyan Cave Goes Viral in India [VIDEO] - Kenyans.co.ke
  5. "Discovering the Kenyan Coast" (PDF). horizon.documentation.ird.fr. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  6. Mombasa – Travel guide at Wikivoyage
  7. "HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj's Vicharan - 1 to 15 September, 1999". www.swaminarayan.org.

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