Pakistan is a country that has a rich and diverse history. Yes, although it is a Muslim country today, this land was once home to many of the other religions. One of the most prominent religions is Hinduism. Many Hindu communities once lived here, and that’s why there are many of the old Hindu temples in the country. These ancient Hindu temples are found in different places and are still standing and telling the stories of a time long past.

Each one has its own story, design, and importance. By visiting these temples, we can understand the heritage of Pakistan. In this article, we will take a closer look at the ten ancient Hindu temples in Pakistan that give us the deep history of Hinduism in those particular regions. Let’s get into their detail now. 

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Historical Significance of Hindu Temples in Pakistan

Hindu temples in Pakistan have a deep history that reflects old-age cultures and the religious history of the region. A long time ago, before the arrival of Islam, this land that is now Pakistan was home to a large number of Hindu populations. These temples you see today were built thousands of years before as sacred and respectable places for Hindus who lived in these areas. Overall, the Hindu temples in Pakistan are not just places of worship; they are the witnesses to the country’s multi-layered history. Their preservation is essential not only for Hindus but also for everyone who is interested in understanding the full historical and cultural history of Pakistan.

Role of Hindu Temples in Interfaith Relations

The Hindu temples in Pakistan play an important role in promoting different religious communities. Here are some of the points that show how they contribute to interfaith relations:

• They act as a cultural bridge, bringing people of different faiths together. Many local Muslims and groups visit these temples to learn about the Hindu culture.
• Hindu temples often host festivals and religious events that provide opportunities to people of different religions to meet, interact, and celebrate together.
• Some temples serve as venues or spots for interfaith discussions. Religious leaders come together to promote peace and understanding to reduce religious tensions.
• Temples also offer educational opportunities for both Hindus and non-Hindus. Schools and groups often visit temples to learn more about them.
• By Preserving these ancient sites, Pakistan is also honoring its multi-religious history. It promotes that the country gives rights to non-Muslim communities and minorities.
• The temples attract both local and international tourists, promoting awareness and bridging the gaps between communities.
• The presence as well as preservation of Hindu temples are important for Hindu minorities in Pakistan, fostering good relations between minorities and majority communities.

Shri Varun Dev Mandir

Shri Varun Dev Mandir is an old-age Hindu temple that is located on Manora Island near Karachi, Pakistan. It is basically dedicated to the Varun Dev, who is the Hindu god of the sea and the water. The temple holds special importance because of its location near the Sindh River.It is believed that this temple is over a hundred years old. Shri Varun Dev Mandir was constructed by Hindu traders and fishermen who once lived in the area. If we talk about the appearance of a temple, it has stone walls with detailed carvings and some Hindu styles on it. However, it has suffered some damage from sea winds and erosion over time. This temple is under the ownership of the Pakistan Hindu Council. Its current structure was renovated in around 1917-1918.

Location	Manora Island, Karachi, Pakistan
Estimated Age	Over 100 years, possibly older
State	Sindh
Built by	Bhojomal Nenshi Bhatia
Governing Body	Pakistan Hindu Council
Dedicated to	The Hindu god of the sea and the water

Katas Raj Temples

The Katas Raj Temples are a group of ancient temples that are located in the Chakwal district of Punjab, Pakistan. All are connected through walkways. They are considered one of the most important Hindu religious sites in the country. There is also a Pond that is surrounded by these temples whose name is Katas, and it is believed that this pond is made from the tears of Shiva after the death of his wife, Sati. The total area of this pond is two Kanal and 15 Marla, with 20 feet depth too. Indian former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani visited this temple in 2005, and from 2006 onwards, the Pakistani government began restoration works at the temples. All the temples are believed to be over 1500 years old and are dedicated to different Hindu gods, with the main temple honoring Lord Shiva.

Location	Chakwal District, Punjab, Pakistan
Main Deity	Lord Shiva
Other Deities	Vishnu, Hanuman, and others
Age of Temples	Over 1,500 years old
Sacred Pond Name	Katas
Pond Dimensions	2 Kanal and 15 Marla

Multan Sun Temple

The Multan Sun Temple is also known as the Aditya Sun Temple. It is an ancient Hindu temple in Multan that is dedicated to Surya, the sun god. It is believed to have been built around 500 BC, which makes it one of the oldest temples in the region. Multan Sun Temple is famous for its grand architecture and has a central shrine with a golden idol of Surya decorated with jewels. The temple was a key religious and cultural center, but due to invasions, especially by Arab armies in 8^th century, it was eventually lost to time. It was reconstructed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1666.

Location	Multan, Punjab, Pakistan
Dedicated to	Surya, the Hindu sun god
Estimated Age	Around 500 BC
Main Attraction	Golden idol of Surya, decorated with jewels
Architectural Features	Grand structure with a central shrine, large courtyard, high walls, and smaller shrines
Reconstructed by	Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb

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Sharada Peeth Temple

The Sharada Peeth Temple is an old Hindu temple that is located in the Neelum Valley of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is close to the Indian border and almost 150 Kilometers from Muzaffarabad. The temple is believed to have been built around the 5^th century AD and was dedicated to the goddess Sharada, the goddess of Knowledge. Sharada Peeth Temple is an important center for learning and exploration, and it is known for its beautiful architecture with carvings and sculptures. Sharada Peeth is also one of the three holiest sites of pilgrimage for Kashmiri Pandits, other than the Martand Sun Temple and the Amarnah Temple. Over time, this temple has faced damage from invasions and natural disasters that has led to the current state of disrepair.

Location	Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
Dedicated to	Goddess Sharada (a form of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge)
Estimated Age	Around 5th century AD
Architectural Features	Intricate carvings and sculptures depicting Hindu past cultures
Main Attraction	The sacred idol of Goddess Sharada
Total area covered	4 kanals

Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple

The Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple is a famous Hindu Pilgrimage site located in the Hingol National Park in Balochistan, Pakistan. It is dedicated to the Hinglaj Mata, a form of the goddess Durga. The temple is an important religious site for Hindus. Shri Hanglaj Mata Temple is believed to be one of the Sakthi Peetas, which are the holy places associated with the goddess’s divine energy. The temple is located in a remote and rugged area, which makes it a challenging but rewarding destination for devotees. All the believers travel long distances to visit the temple, especially during the annual Hinglaj Yatra, which attracts thousands of visitors. It is known for its natural beauty and spiritual experience.

Location	Hingol National Park, Balochistan, Pakistan
Dedicated to	Hinglaj Mata (a form of the goddess Durga)
Significance	One of the Shakti Peethas, sacred places associated with divine energy.
Annual Pilgrimage	Hinglaj Yatra, attracting thousands of devotees

Rama Temple

The Rama Temple is an old Hindu temple that was dedicated to Lord Rama, a major Hindu god known for his role in Ramayana. This temple is located in the Saidpur Village, Islamabad, Pakistan, and has powerful sites for all believers who come to worship and seek blessings. The temple is known for its historical and religious importance, with its origins dating back centuries. It features traditional Hindu architecture with detailed carvings and sculptures showcasing the scenes from the Ramayana. Despite the challenges this temple has faced over the years, such as the damages it got from different historical events, it continued to be the center of spiritual significance for the local Hindu community. After the partition of India, this temple was no longer used for worship but was used for other purposes, such as for girls’ school, and now as tourist attraction by CDA.

Location	Town of Rama, Punjab, Pakistan
Dedicated to	Lord Rama, a major deity in Hinduism
Founder	Man, Singh I
Architectural Style	Traditional Hindu architecture with intricate carvings and sculptures from the Ramayana
Established in	16th-century

Krishna Temple, Islamabad

Krishna Temple, also known as Shri Krishna Mandir, is located in H-9 Islamabad and it is the first Hindu temple to be granted permission for its construction. It spreads over 0.5 acres of land and will accommodate 3000 Hindu families for worship. Yes, it is true permission for its construction is granted, but there is a huge controversy this temple is still facing by Islamic extremists and has been attacked four times, too. Almost there are 737 Hindus living in Islamabad and are working on high posts. They demanded a separate place for their temple where they could pray and fulfill their religious demands. So, in 2016, CDA allocated 0.5 acre of land for this purpose. The problem was that the number of Hindus in Islamabad was few, and they were unable to collect massive money to build that temple so they pleaded with the Prime Minister, and the government aided them, and construction started.

Location	H-9 Islamabad
Total area covered	0.5 acre of land
Accommodation capacity	3000 Hindu Families
Temple Construction Ceremony	24 June 2020
Funds released by Pakistani government	₹175,000,000
Dedicated to	Krishna God

Mansehra Shiva Temple

The Mansehra Shiv Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Pakistan. It is situated in Chitti Gatti, and it is more of less 2000 to 3000 years old. The temple was restored in the 1830s by Raja of Jammu, but during 1947 and 1948, it was forcibly seized and occupied by some people. An annual festival is held in this temple with the name of Shivarathri, in which a great number of people from all over the world take part. From 1948 to 2008, it remained sealed and inaccessible to Hindus till 1998. But after 1988, steps were taken and the temple was restored by Pakistani Hindus.

Location	Chitti Gatti, 15 Km away from Mansehra, KPK.
Estimated Age	Almost 2000 to 3000 years old.
Annual Festival	Shivarathri
Remained inaccessible for Hindus	From 1948 to 2008
Dedicated to	Shiva
State	Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)

Goraknath Temple

The Goraknath Temple is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Goraknath, who is a reverted sage and yogi. It is one of the few Hindu temples that have been surviving in Peshawar and was built in 1851. He is considered a key figure in the Nath tradition of Hinduism. This temple is located in Peshawar city, and it has been a significant religious site for centuries. It is known for its beauty, atmosphere, and traditional Hindu architecture that features simple but yes elegant designs.

Being a center of spiritual practice, Goranknath Temple attracts all the believers who come to honor that yogi and seek his blessings. The Gor Khatri temple is divided into two areas on the west-east axis. The eastern and western shrines are connected by a chamber. Since the temple was opened, it faced attacks three times in just two months of its opening. If we talk about the third attack, the pictures of God were burnt from inside the temple, and the statuette of Lord Shiva was also broken into pieces, and much more happened.

Location	Gorkhatri, Peshawar
State	Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Dedicated to	Guru Gorakhnath
Ownership	Pakistan Hindu Council
Built in	1851
Founded by	kanphata Jogi

Umarkot Shiv Mandir:Ancient Hindu Temples

Umarkot Shiv mandir is located in the Umerkot district near Rana Jaageer Goth, Sindh, Pakistan. It is the oldest temple in Sindh and one of the most respectable places for Hindu worship. This temple boasts a magnificent Shiv Lingam that is one of the best in the world. A festival is arranged in this temple every year under the name of Maha Shivaratri, and a great number of believers come and join the three-day festival and stay here too. This festival is considered one of the biggest religious festivals in the country. Roundabout 250,000 people attend this festival, and all the costs and expenses for this event are held by All Hindu Panchayat of Umarkot.

Location	Umerkot Distict near Rana Jaageer Goth.
Province	Sindh
Dedicated to	Shiva
Popular Festival	Shivaratri
Number of People in the Festival	250,000 people
Owned by	Pakistan Hindu Council

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10 Must Visit Historical Hindu Temples in Pakistan

These ancient sites explained below offer a glimpse into the rich history and spiritual traditions of Hinduism in Pakistan. Let’s have a look and learn more about them.

Sr. No.	Temple	Location
1	Shri Varun Dev Mandir	Manora Island, Karachi, Pakistan
2	Katas Raj Temples	Chakwal District, Punjab, Pakistan
3	Multan Sun Temple	Multan, Punjab, Pakistan
4	Sharada Peeth Temple	Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
5	Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple	Hingol National Park, Balochistan, Pakistan
6	Rama Temple	Town of Rama, Punjab, Pakistan
7	Krishna Temple, Islamabad	H-9, Islamabad, Pakistan
8	Mansehra Shiva Temple	Chitti Gatti, 15 Km away from Mansehra, KPK
9	Goraknath Temple	Gorkhatri, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
10	Umarkot Shiv Mandir	Umerkot District near Rana Jaageer Goth, Sindh