Pakistan Reopens Ancient Hindu Temple in Sialkot After 72 Years

The 1,000-year-old temple was closed for worship post-partition, and has reopened after 72 years.

The Shawala Teja Singh temple

(Photo: Commons)

Video Editor: Varun Sharma

Pakistani authorities have reopened an ancient temple for the country's Hindu community in the industrial city of Sialkot. Hindus constitute the largest minority community in Pakistan.

The 1,000-year-old Shawala Teja Singh temple was closed for worship shortly after the 1947 partition and creation of Pakistan. In 1992, in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition, a mob had reportedly damaged the temple in protest, following which pilgrims stopped coming. 

The temple, which was built by Sardar Teja Singh, is dedicated to Shiva.

“We are so happy as we are now able to worship here after 72 years. We are thankful to the Pakistani government for opening the temple for us. Today we worshipped here in great spirit,” said a devotee.

“There were beautiful dome-like structures atop the roof but when the Babri Mosque incident happened in India some Muslim youngsters attacked this temple and destroyed these domes. The locals, however, respect this place.”

Muhammad Amin, Local shopkeeper

The decision to reopen the temple was issued by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. This comes shortly after the Pakistan government declared their plan to reclaim and restore 400 temples in Pakistan, in April 2019.