Baba Ram Thaman Shrine Kalu Khara, Kasur, Punjab (2021)

Relevance: Sikhism, Hinduism, Udassi Shrine

Date of Visit:- 20 November 2021

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The Baba Ram Thaman Shrine, situated in the Khala Kharu village of the Kasur District in Pakistan's Punjab province, holds great historical and religious significance. This revered Hindu shrine is dedicated to Baba Ram Thaman, a saint who lived during the 16th century and was known for his association with Guru Nanak, the revered founder of Sikhism. Over time, the shrine has grown in importance, attracting devotees and visitors from various communities.

During the 16th century, Baba Ram Thaman established his camp near the Khala Kharu village, and following his passing, a shrine was constructed at the very location. In addition to the shrine, several temples and a pond were later added to the complex, enhancing its spiritual ambiance. Devotees of Baba Ram Thaman also settled in the vicinity of the temple complex until the partition.

One of the significant events held at the shrine is the annual Vaisakhi fair, which has been celebrated since the 16th century CE. This fair attracts a large number of pilgrims, with approximately 60,000 attendees each year. It is a testament to the enduring cultural and religious traditions associated with Baba Ram Thaman.

Even after the partition, the Vaisakhi celebrations continue to be held at the Baba Ram Thaman Shrine. It is worth noting that a majority of the attendees are Muslims, showcasing the shrine's ability to foster communal harmony and serve as a place of reverence for people from diverse religious backgrounds.

The Baba Ram Thaman Shrine holds a significant place in the hearts of Hindus and serves as a symbol of religious tolerance and unity. As a Smadh, it represents a sacred space constructed over the burial ground of a Hindu saint, following the customs of the Ramanandi Sampradaya of Vaishnavas, one of the 36 sects of Vaishnavism.

In summary, the Baba Ram Thaman Shrine in the Khala Kharu village is a renowned Hindu shrine dedicated to Baba Ram Thaman, a 16th-century Vaishnav saint. It is famous for its annual Vaisakhi fair, which has been celebrated since the 16th century and continues to attract a large number of devotees. This shrine serves as a beacon of communal harmony, with Muslim attendees forming the majority. It holds great cultural and religious significance and is revered by people from diverse backgrounds.

Ram Thaman Village: Forgotten Fortifications and Fading Havelis

I first visited Ram Thaman village in the summer of 2022, drawn by the historic shrine of Baba Ram Thaman, a 16th-century Vaishnav saint whose spiritual legacy still resonates across the plains of Punjab, Pakistan. Like many others, I came expecting to explore a sacred site — one deeply associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji and celebrated for its Vaisakhi fair. Still, I never imagined stumbling upon the ruins of an ancient fortified settlement.

That first visit resulted in a modest travel blog article highlighting the village's spiritual side. At the time, I did not know the fortifications. No one spoke of them, and the structures were hidden behind everyday life. But that changed in the spring of 2025 when I returned with the curiosity of a storyteller and the lens of a heritage enthusiast.

It was during this second visit that the forgotten walls of Ram Thaman began to whisper their story.

Led by a kind local elder, I was shown narrow alleys and crumbling corners that revealed the archaeological remains of a once fortified village — parts of tall boundary walls, rounded bastions, weathered gateways, and crumbling havelis. In some places, I noticed fading jharokas, traditional overhanging balconies, peeking out from between cement blocks. Intricately carved decorative arches and floral motifs — now veiled in whitewash — hinted at the craftsmanship that once defined this place.

These architectural elements built most likely during the 18th century, told of a village that was once prosperous, protected, and proud — a piece of Punjab’s lost architectural heritage.

Though not widely recognized as such, Ram Thaman was indeed a walled village, with highly fortified structures and a strategic layout that gave it a unique standing in regional history. Only fragments remain today, and even those are fading — but for a traveler who looks closely, the story is still there.

Of course, Ram Thaman is far more famous for its spiritual heritage than its fortifications. The shrine of Baba Ram Thaman lies at the village’s heart, spreading across 22 acres and historically featuring a large sarovar (sacred pond), temples, and a samadhi (memorial). For centuries, this site has attracted pilgrims from Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim communities — especially during the colorful Vaisakhi Mela — making it a symbol of interfaith harmony in South Asia.

The landscape of the village changed drastically after the Partition of 1947. As Hindu and Sikh families migrated to India, Muslim refugees from across the border settled here. They began living within the shrine complex and the fortified structures, slowly transforming the landscape. Over time, old architecture was repurposed or built over. Fort walls became walls of homes. Bastions became store rooms. Jharokas were plastered shut.

When I walked the narrow streets of Ram Thaman in 2025, the layers of history were barely visible — but still there. If you're passionate about Pakistan’s heritage tourism, offbeat travel, or the vanishing history of Punjab, Ram Thaman is a place that deserves your footsteps and your curiosity.

This blog isn’t just a travelogue — it’s a reminder that history often hides in the places we least expect. I am grateful to the welcoming villagers who allowed me into their homes and stories and helped me uncover this overlooked gem of Punjab’s cultural heritage.