Jain Digambar temple, Lahore

Jain Digambar temple, Lahore
جین مندر
Religion
AffiliationJainism
Restored
c. 1940
StatusActive (reopened 2022)
Location
LocationLytton Road, Old Anarkali, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Interactive map of Jain Digambar temple, Lahore
Coordinates31°33′36″N 74°18′33″E / 31.5601°N 74.3093°E / 31.5601; 74.3093
Architecture
TypeJain temple
StyleShikhara
Completedc. 1940
Height (max)13 m

The Jain Digambar temple is a Jain temple located on Lytton Road in Old Anarkali, Lahore.[1][2][3]

History

While its exact construction date remains uncertain, it is believed to have been erected in the late 1930s or early 1940s.[4] According to Iqbal Qaiser, a Punjabi author, it was constructed by a woman in 1940.[5]

Following the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the temple underwent a period of neglect.[4] Significant damage was inflicted in 1992 in the wake of the Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya.[4][5] Due to prevailing misconceptions linking Jainism with Hinduism, the Jain Mandir in Lahore was targeted.[4] Despite its durable construction, the temple was substantially damaged over two days, with the aid of a crane facilitating the process.[4] The remnants of its dome remained for roughly three decades.[4]

In relation to the development of the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT), concerns were raised about the temple's fate.[4] By 2016, the remaining parts of the temple were enclosed by a wall, with some of the surrounding area allocated to the OLMT project.[4][6]

Restoration

In 2014, the Evacuee Trust Property Board was tasked with renovating and restoring former temples.[7] In December 2021, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the restoration of the Jain Mandir, in addition to a Hindu temple in Neela Gumbad.[4][5] Restoration efforts included reinforcing the foundation, repositioning the original dome, updating infrastructure, and converting the nearby space for public use.[4] The restoration project took eight months at a cost of 70 lakh Pakistani rupees.[3] In June 2022, the Jain Mandir in Anarkali was reopened for religious practices.[4] The renovated temple, now standing at thirteen meters, is situated opposite the Anarkali station of the OLMT.[4]

Architecture

The temple was designed in the Shikhara architectural style, a term derived from the Sanskrit word for "mountain peak."[4] Characteristic features of Jain temples.[4] The temple features a tapering tower with religious motifs and etchings, as well as adjacent courtyards, are evident in its design.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Pakistan set to reopen Lahore's famous Jain temple". The Express Tribune. December 5, 2021.
  2. ↑ "A historic move". The News International.
  3. 1 2 Rana, Yudhvir. "No Jains, but Pak works to restore 40 temples". Times of India. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Nawaz, Muhammad Asif. "Story of the Jain Mandir". Youlin Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  5. 1 2 3 Rizwan, Sheharyar (2022-04-01). "Under-reconstruction Jain Mandir in Lahore all set to reopen". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  6. ↑ "Historic Jain temple demolished in Lahore". The Times of India. 2016-02-12. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  7. ↑ Dalrymple, Sam (23 January 2025). "Inside a Jain temple of Pakistan with Mughal and Sikh influences". Architectural Digest. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
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