Showing posts with label hindu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hindu. Show all posts

Friday 5 April 2019

The last desolated Hindu Temple standing at Katha Saghral Khushab


02-02-2019

Katha Saghral is part of Khushab tehisl, the village is situated 25 km from Khushab on the Rawalpindi-Peshawar Road. It is semi-hilly and mineral area. Dozens of minerals including coal and salt are being mined in the surrounding area of this village. The population of this village is associated with agriculture and tomato is the famous cultivation of the area.

Before partition of sub-continent lots of Hindu family lives in this town.

An old, Hindu temple, standing in desolated state inside the premises of Government school on the main road of Katha Saghral. Nothing much knows about the year of construction of this edifice.

The temple is constructed of clay burnt bricks that are commonly known as ” lakhori ” popular in the mughal architecture and abundantly in Nawabi architecture of Faizabad and Lucknow .The form which is flat , thin , of red colour . Initial Awadh architectural structures were made of these slim elements. The best part is , it could be used and aligned in multiple formats of arches , sculptural facades because of their small size and thinness , they could be placed to make intricate shapes and fine details on walls and column surfaces

The structure consists of single story square “Sanctum” which was designed for placing the housing deity. In sanctum room corner squinches portion filled with extended flower bouquet element made of lime. From square sanctum structure main temple curvilinear spire (tower, sikhara) is raised, which is common type of northern Indian Shrines (Latinas). For construction of curvilinear spire small dimensions bricks used which are different from ground floor of temple.




Wednesday 3 April 2019

An old Hindu Temple located inside MAO college Lahore



Government Muhammadan Anglo Oriental College (abbreviated to Govt. M.A.O College Lahore is a Public College located adjacent to Civil Secretariat Lahore. It is among the oldest educational institutions in LahorePunjabPakistan. It was established in 1933 as MAO College by Anjuman-e-Islamia at Amritsar and Professor S. Mercado was appointed as the first Principal. It had played significant role in the creation of Pakistan.


After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the College was shifted to Lahore.

An old, Hindu temple standing tall inside the premises of this college. Nothing much knows about the year of construction of this edifice.

The temple is constructed of clay burnt bricks that are commonly known as ” lakhori ” popular in the mughal architecture and abundantly in Nawabi architecture of Faizabad and Lucknow .The form which is flat , thin , of red colour . Initial Awadh architectural structures were made of these slim elements. The best part is , it could be used and aligned in multiple formats of arches , sculptural facades because of their small size and thinness , they could be placed to make intricate shapes and fine details on walls and column surfaces

The structure consists of single story square “Sanctum” which was designed for placing the housing deity. In sanctum room corner squinches portion filled with extended flower bouquet element made of lime. From square sanctum structure main temple curvilinear spire (tower, sikhara) is raised, which is common type of northern Indian Shrines (Latinas). For construction of curvilinear spire small dimensions bricks used which are different from ground floor of temple.


On external walls of temples you will see double facet a vertical offset projection. In Hindu temple architecture it is called “ratha”.



Thursday 14 February 2019

The Forgotten Chapter of Soon Valley, ‘the Chaada Waali Pari’ Sakesar

All pictures are owned(Visited Sakesar 03-02-2019)(Visited Amb Sharif Temples 25-02-2018)Reference/Guidance Waadi Soon Sakesar by Muhammad Sarwar Khan Awan
02-014-2019
Chaada Wali Pari, Where Hindu Pilgrims place there offerings 


I visited Sakesar first time in 2012. Sakesar is highest mountain of Pothohar. Its height is 1,522 m. It lies on the outer fringes of the Soon Valley in Khushab District. The endless scenic vista of Soon Valley can be seen from this top.

Scenic Vista of Soon Valley


The area is restricted and is under the control of Pakistan Air Force, they have installed radar at top for defence purpose.

Sakesar has historical importance since ancient times, pre-historic Hindu temples and remains of ruinous fort located nearby in Amb Sharif village. These structures supposed to be constructed before Islam has arrived in this area.  

Amb Temples

Remains of Ruinous Fort


One small Hindu temple still located at present PAF base.  In old times at start of desi month Vesakhi; a Vesakhi festival celebrated at Sakesar. In vicinity of this temple a Pond was located, pilgrims used to take bath; they have faith that it will clean soul along their bodies.


Small Hindu Temple at Sakesar

Sakesar entrance gates are designated with different numbers.  Before the gate number five on adjacent road a huge boulder is still standing. Different stories have been associated with this stone. In local language they called this boulder, ’Chaada waali Pari’.  It was believed that   that Hindu Deity Krishna visited this area and raised this boulder with his hand.

 It is said that those Hindus pilgrims, who used to visit Sakesar temple in past; as symbol of gratitude they first humbly kiss this boulder and place their offerings on it.

In front of Chaada Wali Pari Boulder, you can see an old square edifice which is constructed of stone masonry and lime mortar. It might be used as Shelter by by Hindu yogis. 

Ancient Square Edifice 

During excavation of this area an old construction settlement was discovered.  Inside this stucture old lamp and copper coins were found.


The Migratory Bird Paradise - Uchali lake, view taken in the way to Sakesar

Pink Flamingos the siberian migratory birds flying in front of Sakesar Base


Monday 3 September 2018

The Last left Bengali Temple in Walled City Lahore

07-04-2013

Located in Tehsil Bazar  walled city lahore in a house like complex; this edifice  is known as 'Bengali Mandir.' Bengali Mandir is normally associated in worshiping the deity of "Kali Mata'. In lahore, i have mostly seen Shiv mandir;s and also there is one Hanuman temple located in moti bazaar near rim market. Thanks to late Rao javed sahib who has shown me this temple in 2013.

Entrance View



Wooden Roof

location for placing Diety 

Inside Temple

Late Rao Jave Sb, a great historian

Stairs to enter Temple

Signage



Tuesday 26 June 2018

BARA MANDIR CHINIOT

07-03-2018
The classic Hindu Temple was built by Maharaja Gulab Singh. It is one of the many landmarks in the city of Chiniot. The astonishing temple is believed to be constructed during the second Anglo-Sikh war.













Wednesday 20 June 2018

An Abandoned Hindu Shiva Temple in Hazro

—All photos and text by author
Date of Visit: -      29-03-2018




Hazro is a town located at north-west of Pakistan in Attock District of the Punjab province Pakistan. According to the Gazetteer of Rawalpindi, Hazro was the scene of the great battle in which, in AD 1008, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznawi defeated the united forces of the Rajas of Hindustan and the Hindus of the Punjab with a slaughter of 20,000 men, it was afterwards fixed upon by some of the Pathan followers of that chieftain to be the site of the colony

The population according to the 1901 census of India was 9,799. According to the Gazetteer of Rawalpindi, Hazro had a significant Hindu population which was "half Pathan, half Hindu".




A small Shiva Temple located in Shahbaz Mohalla Hazro.  The top spire seems to be gold plated. Famous anthropologist Zulifqar Ali Kalharo visited this site; he observed chevron lines on outer surface of conical part. According to him, these lines symbolize life. This mandir was constructed for the shudar community of town.








Saturday 9 June 2018

An abandoned Hindu Temple in Khanqah Dogran




08-03-2018
In the charming town of Khanqah Dogran, my gracious host, Hussain Dogar, and I embarked on a shared quest in search of a centuries-old mosque from the 17th century. Our determination was fueled by the sight of a captivating picture of this mosque on Flicker many years ago. However, despite our best efforts, the elusive mosque remained beyond our grasp. Perhaps the location was mislabeled, adding a touch of mystery to our expedition. Nevertheless, as we made our way back, a remarkable sight greeted us in the heart of Khanqah Dogran Bazaar—an abandoned Hindu mandir.

This ancient place of worship had undergone a transformation, with its lower portion repurposed into shops, bustling with the energy of daily commerce. As we looked up, wooden balconies adorned the first floor, adding an air of elegance to the structure. The chapel rooms, once filled with prayer and devotion, now housed families who had migrated after the partition. Walking through the surrounding street, we discovered a poignant reminder of the town's history—Pre-Partition Hindu Houses that stood as silent witnesses to a bygone era. It was revealed to us by locals that before the year 1947, this very street teemed with the vibrant presence of Hindu families. However, the passage of time had brought change, and today, no Hindu families remained in the area. The mandir itself, abandoned for decades, bore the architectural hallmarks of the early 19th century or possibly the latter half of the 18th century.

In this unexpected encounter, we found ourselves immersed in the layers of Khanqah Dogran's history, where religious narratives intertwine with the passage of time. The abandoned mandir stood as a tangible symbol of the town's multicultural past and the ebb and flow of its inhabitants. As we reflected on our journey, we realized that even though our original objective remained unfulfilled, the stories we encountered along the way painted a vivid portrait of the town's rich tapestry of cultures and traditions.


Abandoned Hindu Tmeple

Entrance 

Enterance