There are so many Hindu temples in Pakistan. These are a heritage for not only the country but also for the world. You might want to visit these astonishing examples of history. In this article, we will talk about the 10 most beautiful Hindu temples in Pakistan.
Pakistan, the forbidden forever land. As soon as we hear the name “Pakistan” we are filled up with a flood of mixed emotions. However, little do we know that this land is embedded with some of the ancient Hindu temples.
Also Read: Why Hinduism is the Best Religion in the World
According to the survey conducted by the All Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement, there were approximately 428 Hindu temples in Pakistan, of which only about 20 have managed to survive. Hindu temples in Pakistan have been attacked several times. During the 1992 riots, the 2014 Larkana temple attack, Ghotki riots of 2019, the Karak temple attack in 2020, etc., the list is endless.
Many temples are converted into mosques, hotels, libraries, and even more, have been demolished and abandoned. These attacks have affected the temples leading to missing idols of gods and goddesses, drying up of ponds that were once used for holy dips and baths, and more.
These Hindu temples in Pakistan have long been forgotten, neglected, turning to ruins, and desperately beg for repair and restoration and quickly vanishing. Few temples are regularly visited pompously by a large number of pilgrims.
Hindus are merely 2.14% (according to the 2017 census) of the population in Pakistan, forming a minority. Even after that, this country still hosts hundreds of Hindu heritages. Let’s now talk about the top 10 most astonishing Hindu temples in Pakistan.
Also Read: Top 10 Most Beautiful Hindu Temples in India You Must Visit
10 Most Beautiful Hindu Temples in Pakistan
1. Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple
One of the major temples in Pakistan is Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple or Nani Mandir, that about 2.5 lakh pilgrims on the occasion of Hinglaj Yatra. It lies in the Balochistan region and is one of the three Shakti Peeths in Pakistan. The other two are Shivaharakaray and Sharda Peeth.
2. Shivaharakaray
Shivaharakaray lies near Karachi and here goddess Sati is worshipped as Mahishasurmardini – the slayer of demon Mahishasur. It is believed that the third eye of Devi Sati fell here.
Also Read: Top 5 Largest Mosques in India: Beautiful Masjid Photos
3. Sharda Peeth
Sharda Peeth now lies in ruins, situated near Muzaffarabad. It is claimed in the Puranas that the right hand of goddess Sati fell here. It is merely 10kms away from the Line of Control dividing India and Pakistan.
4. Churrio Jabal Durga Mata Temple
Churrio Jabal Durga Mata Temple is another Mata temple signifying the victory of good over evil, that receives about 2 lakh devotees during the festival of Mahashivratri.
Also Read: List of the Most beautiful Temples in Bihar
5. Ramapir Temple, Tando Allahyar
Another beautiful name on the list of the Hindu temples in Pakistan is Ramapir Temple, Tando Allahyar. It witnesses a huge number of pilgrimage during the Ramdev Pir mela every year. It was built in 1859.
6. Shri Katas Raj Temple
Shri Katas Raj Temple is also known as the Qila Katas is of profound importance. Here the idol of Lord Shiva is worshipped. It is a complex of several Hindu temples connected to each other by walkways and it lies in the Punjab region of Pakistan. The temple complex is surrounded by a pond, which in the Puranas is said to have been created by the teardrop of Lord Shiva as he wandered inconsolably after the death of his dear wife, Devi Sati. It is also believed that Pandavas spent a significant time here during their years in exile.
Also Read: क्यों मनाया जाता है छठ महापर्व? Chhathi Maiya Katha
7. Umarkot Shiv Mandir
The Umarkot Shiv Mandir or Amarkot Shiv mandir, is the oldest temple in Sindh Province. Governed by magnificent Shiv Lingam, it receives a huge flock of pilgrims during the three-day Shivratri festival.
8. Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
One of the biggest Hindu temples in Pakistan is the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, located in Karachi. It became a refugee camp during the 1947 partition and was visited by Muhammad Ali Jinnah himself.
Also Read: पाकिस्तान में मिला 1300 साल पुराना विष्णु भगवान का प्राचीन मंदिर
9. Manshera Shiv Temple
Manshera Shiv Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Pakistan and is about 2000-3000 years old. Located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, this temple is visited by devotees from Pakistan and abroad. It was restored by Raja of Jammu in the 1830s, but, was forcibly sealed and abandoned after 1947. However, in 1998 Hindus laid their claim over the temple, and now it has been partially restored, seeing some good days again.
10. Shri Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir
This precious temple is situated in Soldier Bazar in Karachi of the Sindh Province. It is about 1500 years old and is the only temple in the world to have a natural statue of Lord Hanuman. It holds religious significance as it is believed that Lord Rama visited here during his years in exile. Thereafter, a statue of Panchamukhi Hanumanji was excavated from the very place and later a temple was built here.
Also Read: Top 10 Ancient & Oldest Cities in India to Explore
11. Multan Sun Temple
Also known as Kashyapapura, this temple is dedicated to Surya, the Sun-god, this temple is tucked away in Multan. It was built about 5000 years ago. Legends have that it was built by Sambha, son of Lord Krishna and Jambavati, to gain relief from his curse of leprosy and restore good health and youth. It is considered as a place of natural cure for lepers. Sambha is also the creator of the original Konark Sun temple, in Odisha, India.
To say the least, Pakistan is dotted with temples. It has a large number of Gurudwaras as well, the most significant being Darbar Kartarpur Sahib, to visit which you don’t even need a visa.
The temples here are for sure in a sad state of affairs, but there has been substantial improvement as the Pakistan Hindu Mandirs Management Committee has been appointed to supervise and exercise general management and control of temples all across the country.
Most temples are under the administrative control of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) which also provides the funds for restoration and supervises the activities of these temples.
It is a much more convenient and welcoming process to visit these Hindu temples in Pakistan, all you need to do is fill up the necessary documentation and apply for a visa.
Times have changed and so have the ways we live. People are ready to embrace visitors with warmth and unending love, not to forget the rich culture and delicious mouthwatering delicacies.
So don’t wait, plan your next trip to these temples that form an integral part of our culture, history, and tradition. If you were to think, the partition created by man has only divided the land for administrative purposes, but God never discriminated, he made it one.
Keep visiting The Ganga Times for such beautiful articles. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for regular updates.