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.

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 Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. 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”.

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.

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.

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

MONASTERY OF LAL JAS RAJ DEPALPUR

Situated in the northeastern part of the historic city of Depalpur, lies a hidden gem known as the monastery of Lal Jas Raj. This architectural marvel showcases a fusion of exquisite elements, including intricately decorated doors with latches, elegant jharokhas, captivating bay windows, and masterfully crafted cut brickwork. However, the most captivating aspect of this ancient site is the spiritual significance it holds for the local people, who venerate Lal Jas Raj as a revered guru.

Interestingly, our visit to this monastery was not originally part of our itinerary. In fact, we were completely unaware of its existence until our friend Adnan Tariq, a knowledgeable local resident of Depalpur, enlightened us about this remarkable place. Little did we know that we were about to discover a hidden treasure of historical and cultural significance.

The origins of Depalpur itself are shrouded in mystery and various theories surround its foundation. One account attributes its establishment to Raja Deva Pala, a figure about whom historical records provide scant information. Nevertheless, the antiquity of Depalpur is beyond doubt, as the ground level on which the present-day houses stand aligns seamlessly with the ramparts of the city's fort. The abundance of ancient coins found in this area further attests to Depalpur's existence as far back as the time of the Indo-Scythians. Historical records trace the mention of Depalpur to the military campaign of Muhammad bin Qasim in 714 AD when he advanced toward Kashmir after capturing Multan. However, the discovery of ancient coins suggests that the city had already thrived for centuries prior to this event.

According to an alternative source, Raja Dipa Chand, the founder of Depalpur, played a pivotal role in the establishment of the city. Lal Jas Raj, the monastery's namesake, was the beloved son of Raja Dipa Chand. Tragically, Lal Jas Raj met a fateful end, being swallowed by the earth due to a curse inflicted upon him by his stepmother, Rani Dholran. Overwhelmed by grief and in remembrance of his beloved son, Raja Dipa Chand erected this monastery as a testament to their bond. Today, the chamber within the monastery has fallen into disrepair, with jammed doors and a stairway repurposed for storage. The structure itself stands as a poignant symbol of the passage of time, its once-grand stature now succumbing to the ravages of nature.

Local residents fondly recall the grand annual "mela" (fair) that used to take place within the monastery's grounds. This festive gathering brought people together, fostering a sense of community and celebration. Additionally, the monastery served as a sacred site for Hindu devotees to perform the Sardukahr, a religious ceremony. However, since the partition, the influx of visitors has dwindled, and the monastery now stands in solitude, longing for the days when its halls echoed with laughter and devotion.

These captivating details and historical accounts are sourced from the esteemed Archaeological Survey of India, specifically from the 1872-73 report authored by Alexander Cunningham, the Director General of the organization. Through diligent research and exploration, these accounts shed light on the rich heritage and cultural significance that the monastery of Lal Jas Raj possesses.