Ali Usman Baig : mandir

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Thursday 18 August 2022

Remnants of Sitla Mata Mandir Lahore

SHRINE (TOMB) OF SITLA MATA

Location On the side of the Circular Road, outside the Walled

city, between the Shah Almi Gate and Lohari

gate.

Seetla Mata, a prominent figure in Punjabi folk religion, is a revered deity associated with the worship and recovery from smallpox and chickenpox. The origins of the Seetla Mata cult can be traced back to the prehistoric period, with links to the ancient Harappan civilization. In fact, an intriguing connection to Seetla Mata and her six sisters can be found on one of the seals discovered in Harappa. The seal portrays seven girls with long hair, believed to represent Seetla Mata and her divine siblings.

Among the numerous temples dedicated to Seetla Mata, one significant pre-partition temple stood in Lahore, located on Circular Road. Unfortunately, the ravages of time have caused extensive destruction, leaving only the front arch gateway as a remnant of its former glory. The entrance gateway, standing tall and commanding, once featured a window in the middle with an elegantly adorned wooden balcony, adorned with a multifoil arch. Although the passage of time has erased much of the intricate geometric designs that once adorned the surface, faint traces of floral work can still be discerned on the spandrel. Above the multifoil arch gateway, an arcade with four semi-circular arches stood, accompanied by galleries in the front.

Adding to the historical significance of the temple, a marble plaque graces the edifice, bearing an inscription that indicates the construction of this complex took place on the 14th of February, 1916.

However, following the partition of 1947, the temple complex fell into disrepair and was occupied by migrant families. Sadly, little effort has been made to preserve or restore this valuable heritage site of cultural importance. The neglect and lack of maintenance have resulted in the gradual deterioration of the temple, diminishing its architectural splendor and historical significance.

The presence of the Seetla Mata temple in Lahore served as a testament to the region's rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions. It offered a place of worship and solace for devotees seeking the blessings and protection of Seetla Mata during times of illness. The temple's architectural elements, although weathered by time, still hinted at the grandeur and artistic prowess of the past. It is regrettable that this precious site, with its deep-rooted historical connections and religious importance, has been neglected and left to decay.

Efforts should be undertaken to restore and preserve this cultural gem, not only to honor the legacy of Seetla Mata but also to ensure that future generations can appreciate and learn from the architectural and religious heritage embedded within its walls. By recognizing and valuing the importance of such sites, we can safeguard our shared cultural history for years to come.

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Monday 8 February 2021

Mandi Ahamd abad and the two Twin Hindu Temples (2021)

Date of Visit:- 31-01-2021

(All pictures and writeup text used in this blog, is author property, kindly respect copyrights)

Temples and Devotee's Hall, All doors and windows are still intact

My dear historian friend, Adnan from Depalpur, had been urging me to visit Mandi Ahmadabad for some time now.

Located in District Okara, within Tehsil Depalpur, Mandi Ahmadabad is a town situated eight kilometers from the India/Pakistan international border and 140 kilometers from Lahore. It is positioned near the Bambanwala-Ravi-Bedian Canal (BRB Canal), which branches off from the upper Chenab canal near Bambanwala village. The BRB Canal runs southeast, close to the India-Pakistan border, and then proceeds south, parallel to the border, passing through Mandi Ahmadabad and ending near Basirpur. Additionally, the River Sutlej flows about four kilometers southeast of this town.

Originally known as Mandi Hira Singh, this town was renamed in 1993 by the Government of Punjab in honor of Mirza Ahmad Baig, a well-known local politician.

Adnan informed me about two pre-partition Hindu temples that still exist in this town. These temples are easily visible from outside the town and appear identical from a distance. They are situated within the premises of the Government Higher Secondary School for Boys in Mandi Ahmadabad.

During my visit, I was hosted by Rafi Sehrai Sahib, a schoolteacher by profession and a renowned Punjabi poet. He shared with us that before the partition of 1947, a considerable number of Hindu and Sikh families lived in Mandi Ahmadabad. The school building, which now houses the temples, was a large Hindu temple complex at that time.

The architectural style of these temples is not significantly different from similar structures found elsewhere in Pakistan. The temples predominantly follow the Nagara style, which originated in northern India.

Both temples consist of a raised square sanctum, designed to house the deity's statue. The interior of the temple features a hyperbolic roof, with embrasures on each wall to allow natural light to enter.

Above the square sanctum, the main temple spire (also known as a shikhara) is constructed. It is worth noting that although the two temples may appear similar from a distance, their spire designs differ. The spire consists of three parts.

Temple 1:

The first part is a square platform with design projections on all four sides.

Above it, the second part is raised, also square in design, but with different styles of wall, projections compared to the first part. The third part, situated above the second part, is square at the bottom and merges into a curvilinear top. This temple is an example of a "homogenous" shikhara, featuring four faces of similar design and pattern, with all elements smoothly curving up the face.

Temple 2:

The first part is a square platform with design projections on all four sides. The second part is circular in construction, with wall projections along the circumference. The third part of the tower is also circular.

It is believed that the difference in the design of these two temples might be due to the fact that they housed deities of different genders. These two temples are taller than any others I have seen in Pakistan.

Surrounding these temples is a hall measuring 40 x 64 feet, which was used by devotees. The hall also contains a mezzanine floor where female visitors used to sit.

Unlike many other Hindu buildings in Pakistan, the temples in Ahmadabad are well-preserved by the school authorities. The original wooden doors and windows of the building can still be seen.

These temples were constructed around the year 1945.

In my quest for historical references about Hira Singh, the man after whom this town was originally named, I found limited information. My host, Rafi Sahib, informed me that Hira Singh was a Sikh chieftain of the area who had given his land to the British for the construction of a railway line, which led to the town being named after him.

Sanctum, room for placing Diety

A cabinet where diety was placed

Hall for Devotee, Mezzanine floor is visible

Space between two temples sanctum

Two Sanctum view from Hall of devotees now used as class room

Another view of Hall of Devotee

Standing with my host Rafi Seherai Sehab

Tuesday 12 January 2021

Thokar Niaz Baig Less Explored (2017)

(All pictures taken by the author shall not be used anywhere without permission)

Date of visit:- 14 October 2017

The extension building of the main Bhadrakali Mandir supposed to be constructed on the Instruction of Raja Ranjit Singh

Before the partition of 1947, the town of Thokar Niaz Baig was located 7 miles outside of the city of Lahore.

The history of this town is not much known; however, some references can be found in Tahrikh-e-Lahore, written by Kanhaiya Lal about a Bhadrakali Mandir, which was the main attraction of the town.

Dome of tall monument constructed on the instruction of Raja Ranjit Singh

On every Baisakhi, a major festival was celebrated at this temple. Baisakhi also has religious significance for the Sikhs community as the foundation of the Panth Khalsa on this day by the Guru Gobind. There was a place dedicated in town especially for this festival. It used to have a large pond and an old Banyan tree on the temple premises. Luckily, this Banyan tree still standing at this place. However, the pond disappeared from the scenes due to the construction of newly built houses.

Banyan tree in front is the place where Bhasaki festival used to celebrate before partition

Another close view of a Banyan tree

Before Pakistan came into being, the land of Niaz Baig belongs to Bhadrakali Mandir. The area has somehow an equal population of Sikh, Muslim, and Hindu communities. After 1947 most of the houses of this area allotted to migrated Mewati families. An old man of this cast told us that this place has many fruit gardens in which many seasonal fruits were available used to be available some sixty years back.

Around the Bhadrakali temple, many ancillaries’ buildings used to exist; also, there were four small temples (remains of one which still can be found), a step-well (Baoli), a Baradari-like structure for Pandits, an arched gateway, and the town was fortified as well.

The Stepwell Building

Stairway to step wells

Baradari like Construction (image 1)

Baradari like Construction (image 2)

Another prominent historical building of this town was a Mughal Serai. It used to be at present Katar bund road. Still a landmark of 'Serai' present on Google maps for this site. I visited Niaz Baig ten years back in search of this site but could not found any trace. This place has been long gone.

Also, there is a tall monument having a dome roof still present in Niaz Baig. This building looks more like a hall. Its construction attributes to Maharaja Ranjit. Singh. He orders in the early 18th century for this construction. The purpose of this structure was to provide food and shelter to pilgrimages. Unfortunately, the structure converted into a school building. From the top of this building,

Inside view of Tall Monument constructed in Raja Ranjit Singh Tenure (image 1)

Inside view of Tall Monument constructed in Raja Ranjit Singh Tenure (image 2)

Inside view of Tall Monument constructed in Raja Ranjit Singh Tenure (image 3)

Inside view of Tall Monument constructed in Raja Ranjit Singh Tenure (image 4)

Inside view of Dome

Inside view of Tall Monument constructed in Raja Ranjit Singh Tenure (image 5)

Inside view of Tall Monument constructed in Raja Ranjit Singh Tenure (image 6)

Inside view of Tall Monument constructed in Raja Ranjit Singh Tenure (image 7)

Inside view of Tall Monument constructed in Raja Ranjit Singh Tenure (image 8)

Inside view of Tall Monument constructed in Raja Ranjit Singh Tenure (image 9)

view of Tall Monument constructed in Raja Ranjit Singh Tenure

Inside view of Tall Monument constructed in Raja Ranjit Singh Tenure (image 10)

Inside view of Tall Monument constructed in Raja Ranjit Singh Tenure (image 11)

I also saw a Samadhi surrounded by new house constructions.

At present, no trace of the main temple has left. One can only found remains of some ancillary buildings, which are also in an extremely dilapidated state.