A Relic of the Past. Bhagnari Temple belongs to Bhagnaris, a Baloch Hindu tribe originating from two villages in Baluchistan namely Bhag and Nari. When Bhagnaris migrated to Karachi, they settled around Lea Market area and built Bhagnari temple on what is Embankment Road now. After partition, a lot of Bhagnaris moved to Mumbai and other areas of India, leaving behind the temple as their mark on the landscape of the city, as an ode to the diversity that Karachi enjoyed and still does albeit we don’t celebrate it anymore.
Just like some other temples in Karachi, it also hosts Guru Granth Sahib. Perhaps the most central place in the temple is actually devoted to Darbar Sahib, with Guru Granth Sahib placed on a takht in the middle. On the right were some Hindu deities. The central courtyard is a vibrant public space for Hindu kids of the area. They were busy playing games with little interference from elders. While most of the temple has gone under a gaudy makeover, the statues in halls at the end looked old.
Someone there told me that a part of the temple has been occupied illegally, halving the original area of the temple effectively. They took me to the rooftop to have a closer look. The other part looked as if it was used as a warehouse or something. There was a room on top and the grill in front of it indicated that both parts might have been part of a larger complex. The grill and the support seem to have come to a halt on the side facing the temple!
I tried to make sense of the location. There was an old structure right in front of me. One of those which take your breath away. I wondered how that area would have looked like before we lost aesthetics and civic sense.
The Karachi Walla 
I am a bhagnari- and we have an active community in India. My grandmother often talks about Karachi and this temple- is there a place called Bhagnari pada still there?
Your article was posted on our facebook group page and I just had to put in a comment here.
yes there is, this place is behind temple, but now there is no Hindu community living.
I’m a fellow Bhagnari. My grandparents used to live in Karachi in the Bhagnari village before partition. It was truly an experience reading this post and knowing about what used to be in Karachi and where my grandparents and ancestors used to live and pray. I will surely show these photos to them. This would surely mean a lot to them. A great thanks to you for sharing this wonderful post.
I’m a fellow Bhagnari. My grandparents used to live in Karachi in the Bhagnari village before partition. It was truly an experience reading this post and knowing about what used to be in Karachi and where my grandparents and ancestors used to live and pray. I will surely show these photos to them. This would surely mean a lot to them. A great thanks to you for sharing this wonderful post.
bhagnari welfare
the whole comlex was known as Bhagnari wah Near the temple there was assembly hall which it appears from the photo is still there. Adjusting it was gymnasium (Akhara) and indoor sports club.
Please send me details of Hindu temples in Karachi and update me about various events of the temples.
Well the good news is that the illegally occupied half part has been regained by the now management of the temple.