Mangopir or Manghopir (Urdu: منگھوپیر ) is one of the neighborhoods of Gadap Town in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The phrase Zaban-e Urdu-e Mualla written in Urdu Urdu () is an Indo-European language of the Indo-Aryan family that developed under Persian, Turkish, and Arabic influence in South Asia during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire (1200-1800). ... Gadap Town is one of the towns in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. ... It has been suggested that Karachi District be merged into this article or section. ... Sindh (Sind) (Sindhi: سنڌ ;Urdu: سندھ) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and is home to the Sindhis, Muhajirs and various other groups. ...

There are several ethnic groups in Gadap Town including Urdu speakers, Punjabis, Sindhis, Kashmiris, Seraikis, Pakhtuns, Balochs, Memons, Bohras, Ismailis. Over 99% of the population is Muslim. The population of Gadap Town is estimated to be nearly one million. The phrase Zaban-e Urdu-e Mualla written in Urdu Urdu () is an Indo-European language of the Indo-Aryan family that developed under Persian, Turkish, and Arabic influence in South Asia during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire (1200-1800). ... The neutrality of this article is disputed. ... Sindhis are an Indo-Aryan language speaking socio-ethnic group of people originating in Sindh which is part of present day Pakistan. ... Shown in green is the Kashmiri region under Pakistani control. ... The Seraikis (also spelt as Saraikis) are a people in the southern areas of Pakistani Punjab. ... The Pashtuns (also Pushtun, Pakhtun (Persian: پختون) (Urdu: پشتون ), ethnic Afghan, or Pathan) are an ethno-linguistic group, living primarily in the North West Frontier Province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan, and the eastern and southern parts of Afghanistan. ... The Baloch (بلوچ alternative transliterations Baluch, Balouch, Balooch, Balush, Balosh, Baloosh, Baloush et al. ... The Memon people are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group that originated in Sindh province of what is now Pakistan and later settled in Gujarat. ... Dawoodi Bohras are the main branch of the Bohras (a Mustali subsect of Ismaili Shia Muslims) based primarily in India and Pakistan. ... The Ismāīlī (Arabic الإسماعيليون, Persian: اسماعیلیان Esmailiyan) branch of Islam is the second largest Shīˤa community after the Twelvers, who are dominant in Iran. ... A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم) is an adherent of Islam. ...

Manghopir is a remote, less developed area of Karachi, named after Pir Mangho. The area has the oldest Sufi shrines in the city, hot sulphur springs that are believed to have curative powers, and many crocodiles - believed locally to be the sacred disciples of Pir Mangho. Balochs often call this place as ‘Mangi’ or Garm-aap / Sard-aap (due to the presence of the hot & cold springs). It has been suggested that Karachi District be merged into this article or section. ... Sufism (Arabic تصوف taṣawwuf) is a system of esoteric philosophy commonly associated with Islam. ... The Baloch (بلوچ alternative transliterations Baluch, Balouch, Balooch, Balush, Balosh, Baloosh, Baloush et al. ...

Sheedis and festivals

Mangopir is mostly inhabited by one of Pakistan's smallest ethnic communities, Sheedi. Sheedi are said to be the descendants of African slaves brought from Zanzibar and maintain their distinct African identity in the midst of the dominating South Asian cultures. World map showing location of Africa A satellite composite image of Africa Africa is the worlds second_largest continent in both area and population, after Asia. ... Map of Zanzibars main island Zanzibar (IPA pronunciation: ), as used today, is the collective name for two East African islands off mainland Tanzania: Unguja (also called Zanzibar) and Pemba. ... Geographically and technically, both Asian and Asiatic indicates a person, place, thing, or idea original to Asia. ...

Presently, these African-Pakistanis live in various parts of Karachi. Most are found in Lyari, but they are also found in Malir, Moaach Goth, Manghopir, and further interior at Sindh and Balochistan. Due to Lyari's ethnic population, it is often called ‘Little Africa’. In Baghdadi, Lyari (an abode of such ethnicity) vicinities have names like Shedi Village and Nairobi. During the British rule or possible before, Baghdadi and many areas in Lyari functioned as a slave market where African slaves were brought and sold. Women from these black families worked as nannies for the children of Hindu traders. Later, these people amalgamated themselves with local Balochs and also adopted various Balochi and Islamic traditions, in addition maintaining their distinct African cultural heritage. For example, some African touch festivals like Gowaati, Layvaa (dancing over the fire), dhammal, beating Congo Drums and many forms of witch craft are still practiced. A prominent Urdu poet and Lyari citizen, Mr. N.M. Danish, proudly claims to be the great-great-grandchild of an African slave from Zanzibar. “Now after centuries of amalgamation, these peoples proudly call themselves as Baloch or Makrani." It has been suggested that Karachi District be merged into this article or section. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Malir is a district in the east of the city of Karachi. ... Sindh (Sind) (Sindhi: سنڌ ;Urdu: سندھ) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and is home to the Sindhis, Muhajirs and various other groups. ... The neutrality of this article is disputed. ... Baghdadi is a city in western Iraq as well as one of the neighborhoods of Lyari Town in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Islam (Arabic: ; ( ) is a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the Quran. ... The phrase Zaban-e Urdu-e Mualla written in Urdu Urdu () is an Indo-European language of the Indo-Aryan family that developed under Persian, Turkish, and Arabic influence in South Asia during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire (1200-1800). ...

Pir Manghopir and crocodiles

The root of Mangopir's name is connected with Pir Mangho, who's original name was Sufi Sakhi Sultan. Legend says that Mango (later known as Sufi Sakhi Sultan) was formerly a Hindu dacoit, notorious for looting caravans. Impressed by the righteous personality and teachings of saint Baba Farid (Ganj-e-Shakar, a well-known saint of Punjab), he converted to Islam and turned to live a noble life. He also became one of the disciples of Baba Farid, who was so pleased with Mangho due to his devotion and meditation and titled him with ‘Pir’. Thus Mangho became a saint equally respected by both Hindus and Muslims. Apart from the crocodile’s festival, the Urs of Manghopir is celebrated in the Islamic month of Zilhej. Punjab, 1903 Punjab Province, 1909 The Punjab (meaning: Land of five Rivers; also Panjab, Gurmukhi: ਪੰਜਾਬ, Shahmukhi: پنجاب) is a region straddling the border between India and Pakistan. ... Fariduddin Ganjshakar (Farid-ul-Din Masaud Shakar Ganj) c. ... A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم) is an adherent of Islam. ...

The crocodiles are an integral part of the shrine, chronicle of the saint, and are so tightly interwoven that it is almost impossible to judge between fact & fiction. There are many traditions about myth of crocodiles, as if it is believed that Baba Farid gifted the reptiles to Manghopir. The second myth is quite factious - during a visit of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar (the celebrated saint of Sindh) in order to make the barren valley more inhabitable, he caused a hot spring to issue forth from the rock and a grove of date palms to spring up from the ground and the crocodiles were originally the lice of a saint, which he gifted to Pir Mango, to put them into the pond and then each turned into a crocodile. According to a third legend, the crocodiles were introduced in Manghopir by Mor Mubarak (also a saint), who brought them from a cave in Korangi, as a result, after the name of saint, the chief of crocodiles (the eldest one) came to be known as ‘Mor Sahib’. Sindh (Sind) (Sindhi: سنڌ ;Urdu: سندھ) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and is home to the Sindhis, Muhajirs and various other groups. ... Korangi is a growing town in Karachi, Pakistan. ...

According to scientific explanations, these crocodiles were carried through some heavy floods, during ancient times and later gathered or collected at this pond. Archaeological investigations have also suggested the existence of a bronze age settlement (2500-1700 BC) near Manghopir, who worshipped crocodiles and before the advent of Islam crocodiles were also thought sacred for Hindus. More to the point, certain signs of crocodile-myth in form of animal magic & witchcraft are also seen in the African countries like Guinea and Zaire. Certainly, these trends are because of the unique nature of the reptile, which is always quick and ruthless and one who maintains a cool behavior at the surface of water, while paddling like a devil underneath.

Mangopir festival

This unique crocodile festival is regularly celebrated every year during the month of Rabbiul-Awwal and runs almost a week. The colorful rituals of the Sheedi tribe also flavored this festival with a unique African touch. The festival attracts many people of all ethnic groups. People make their mannats (pledges) at the shrine of Pir Mangho through offering fresh meat (believed to be the sacrificial) to the crocodiles. Shedis believe that the creatures do not harm the saint's followers and because of this bury crocodiles with equal respect and formalities as they would give a human being. There is place reserved for burying dead crocodiles near the shrine.

The highlight of the Manghopir festival also called ‘Shedi Mela’ and a garlanding ceremony, during which the gaddi nasheen (the holy successor) puts a garland around the neck of the chief of the crocodiles (Mor Sahib). Success of this rite depends solely on the mood of old creature, but according to his keeper, he obliges most of the time and presents himself for the ritual, usually chunks of fresh meat help do the trick.

As with almost all such holy shrines, Manghopir's shrine is located on a small hill. The grave of the saint remains covered with an embroidered silk fabric in a small tomb while musicians with traditional instruments sing praises for the saint outside. During the festival, the tomb is washed with sandalwood and rose water. Outside the shrine, there are various stalls and mini-shops, selling knickknacks and items associated with the shrine. The branches of a young sandalwood tree found in Hawaii Sandalwood is the wood of trees of the genus Santalum. ... Rosewater is the hydrosol portion of the distillate of rose petals. ...

Nearby is a crocodile pond, measuring about 400 feet long and 200 feet wide, which nourished by an underground stream, contains hundreds of crocodiles from six to seven feet in length. ‘Mor Sahib – the Chief of Crocodiles (the eldest one) is about 100 years old and over 12 feet in length. The flourishing breeding has made the pond too small for the expanding reptile population, which is naturally rough and tough and famous for its longevity. The crocodile population is under threat due to a water shortage in the pond, caused by established water pumping at the natural source of freshwater for the pond.

During the week-long Urs (crocodile festival), among Shedis, a large number of people descend on the shrine from all over Sindh, Balochistan and southern Punjab. There is much fun as the caravans of devotees make their way to the shrine.

The Sindh Auqaf Department, Govt. of Pakistan regularly appoints official caretaker for such shrines and holy places. These caretaking jobs normally remain within the family, like son after father. This shrine has to have a caretaker to take care of the crocodiles and the shrine itself. But the Auqaf department is not paying his proper role and thanks to the large number of devotees, who flock to the shrine, the semi-aquatics get a regular supply of fresh meat. Anyone desirous of having his wish fulfilled, slaughters a goat or sheep and offers some meat to the crocodiles.

Hot springs and healing resort

There are hot and cold springs about a kilometer from the shrine. Warm water passing through the sulphur rocks is said to contain some medicinal qualities. Many people with skin diseases regularly come from long distances to have a bath to cure them. There are separate swimming pools and shower rooms for men and women. Scientific analysis has shown that this warm water is naturally saturated with carbon dioxide, besides containing some sulpher & other skin friendly nourishments, which are no doubt suitable for many skin-diseased patients. For the chemical element see: sulfur. ... Carbon dioxide is an atmospheric gas comprised of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. ...

External links

• Karachi Website.
• Gadap.