Ruined, Demolished, left over and Surviving Hindu temples of Pakistan

The purpose of living for the present generation is just not to eat out the existing resources of the world but to leave some valuable wisdom in the form of various written sources, inventions and architectural establishments. What the world today is the resources left by the ancestors. Demolition, destruction, mass killing, ruining is continuous practice in the world history; no part of the world is exception for this. But with the growth of civilization, its the responsibility of modern day civilian to safeguard every resource whether it is scientific, literature, religious or whatever.

However even 21^St century has seen some drastic demolitions (World trade centre, US).  People can migrate but architectural monuments cannot. The present day Pakistan is the area where one of the earliest civilizations of the world flourished.  Most areas of the Pakistan where the centers of origin for Hinduism, Buddhism With creation of Pakistan, Millions of Muslims migrated to Pakistan and millions of Hindus left Pakistan. But none of the Islamic establishments in India and Hindu Monuments in Pakistan moved.

In fact many of the Indian and Pakistani Hindu and Buddhist resources were destroyed and demolished by Islamic conquerors long back (Nalanda University, oldest university of the world, major portion destroyed by invaders). If those resources were safeguarded and survived, it could have been one of the greatest gifts of wisdom to the modern day society. Still few Hindu temples in Pakistan are surviving and being on pilgrimage and many temples were ruined due to lack of maintenance and care.

1. Multan: one of the oldest pilgrimage centers for Hindus

Multan was a place for many oldest Hindu temples, however in present day Pakistan, only few temples are surviving and are on pilgrimage. Sun mandir, which was one of the most holy places of Hindus, was demolished long back by invaders and there are no traces of even the location of the temple. Prahaladpuri temple, Narasingapuri temple are few surviving temples in and around the Multan, but in ruins.

                         

2, Varun Dev Mandir, Karachi

This is one of the rarest Hindu temples dedicated to varun baghwan, the lord of rain. The temple is in ruins and it is currently not used for worshipping.

                          

3. Katasraj temple,  Chakwal district, Punjab

This is one of the few temples in Pakistan which government has taken care and planned for renovation. This temple attracts devotees from various parts of India and Pakistan. This is a temple dedicated to lord Shiva.

                        

                         

4. Sharada Peet, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

This is temple in Kashmir region under Pakistan administration. This temple is in ruins and it was a temple of goddess Saraswathi. This temple is considered to be one of the most prominent pilgrim centres for Hindus.

5. Swami Narayan temple, Karachi

This is one of the temples in Karachi which is in regular use and visited by Hindus from Pakistan and India.

                                      

The temples stated here are very few which has its historic traces at least. There are 100’s of Hindu temples in Pakistan which are ruined, destructed and illegally occupied for business. Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of the governing body of the country to take care of its precious resources regardless of religion. Whatever the country, religion or place, one should respect the beliefs with which the things constructed and amount of effort went to make it.