The Tale of Mandir Chota Lal in Anarkali Bazaar

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18-08-2018 (Date of Visit)

In Anarkali bazaar stands a small temple named 'Mandir Chota Lal', its primary entrance discreetly concealed behind front shops. Before the Indo-Pak partition, numerous Hindu merchants conducted their businesses in Anarkali. While the temple remains non-operational throughout the year, it ceremoniously opens its doors during the Diwali festival to welcome worshippers for prayers.

Various historical references contain details about this temple.

This magnificent temple was once Anarkali's remarkable and revered structures. Its inception was attributed to Lala Durga Parsad, also known as Lala Chota Lal, who dedicated a considerable fortune to its construction. Before this temple's existence, the site was occupied by another shrine known as 'Bohardas ka Shivala'. Bohardas, a devout individual residing at this location, cultivated a banyan tree that eventually led to the site being renowned as Bohardas wala Shivala. While his original name might have differed, he was universally known as Bohardas.

During the British Colonial era in Lahore, the land of Bohardas Shivala was allotted to Lala Chota Lala, a moneylender by profession. He erected shops for his business and erected a new temple on the grounds of the former Bohardas Shivala. The temple boasted a spacious courtyard and a well was dug to serve the convenience of travelers and the local populace. The flooring was adorned with exquisite tiles, and there stood splendid structures in proximity to the temple. The majority of columns were crafted from red marble. Access to the temple was facilitated through two gateways, one on the west and the other on the east, housing statues depicting various revered Hindu deities.

The temple structure was octagonal and constructed using precious stones for its interior and exterior. Adorning its octagonal walls was a dome featuring intricate floral patterns adorning its surface and apex. Atop the dome rested a crowning ornament, referred to as the “Amalaki”, plated in gold. The temple priest, Suraj Bahan Gorh Barhman, received a salary from Chota Lal. Additionally, there were eight shops in front of the temple, the rent from which was dedicated to the upkeep of the temple.