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Nagar Parkar Jain Temple by Sam4u1w –

Top 10 Unknown Facts about Nagar Parkar Jain Temple

Located in Sindh at the foot of the Karoonjhar hills, scattered around the Nagarpakar region of Pakistan are a collection of fourteen beautiful abandoned Jain temples that date back at least to the 11th century and are very scenic pieces of architecture.

Nagarpakar is in the Southern part of the larger Sindh province. These temples were built by the Jain people of the Jain religion, one of the oldest religions in the world, between the 12th and 16th centuries. They are a testament to the beauty of the Jain architecture and their rich culture and history.

The following are some of the facts about these temples;

1. These Temples Are An Integral Part Of Pakistani Culture And Tourism But Are Not Properly Looked After

Uncatered Nagar Pakar Jain Temple by Smn121 –

They are a big part of the Pakistani cultural heritage and have contributed so much to tourism in the area.

Nagarparkar’s Cultural Landscape is located at the southern end of the immense Thar desert. This is where ancient stabilized dunes and a flat alluvial plain meet the marshy, tidal mudflats of the Runn of Kutch and the Arabian Sea.

Until the 15th century, this region was covered by the Arabian Sea, which extended north to the pink granite Karunjhar dunes.

These hills in the eastern part of the Runn now surround the Nagarparkar area and are the only raised, desert country in this area.

It is a pity that these temples, really priceless relics, are poorly preserved and maintained by the responsible parties.

2. They Were Built By Jain Merchants And Traders Of That Time

For years, the Nagarparkar region was a significant centre of Jain religion and culture. The Jains were seaborne merchants and financial advisors to the Rajputs, the Mughals and the Sultans of Delhi.

They controlled trade and commerce in the region through the port of Parinagar, which was constructed in the fifth century. BC. Fragments of port facilities may still be seen at the adjoining settlement of Dotar, or Doo ptar, which means “two landing spots.”

Sardhara, a pilgrimage site in the Karunjhar hills, featured a Mahadeve Jain temple and a ceremonial lake. Many sacred spaces associated with Jain munis, followers of Lord Mahavira and Parsanatha, where Yogis and Jain munis worshipped and exercised welfare cuts, can be found on the hills.

3. Some Of The Temples Were Dwelling Sanctuaries As Well As Places Of Worship

Gori Temple by Guddu Pakistani –

The Gori temple is not as deteriorated as the rest of the temples in Nagar Pakar and the one in Bodhesar village. It is an example of one of the temples used as a dwelling place. These temples were in use then as residential places by the Jainas.

Tanks and water wells were used as water sources. They are of course no longer dwelling places because they are very old and are deteriorating even more rapidly.

4. The Population Of The Jainas In The Region Was Affected By Geographical And Historical Occurrences

The Jainas lived in the Nagar Pakar region for centuries but their reign and prosperity were affected by the geography of the Arabian sea, which severely affected the established economy of the Jain people.

The remaining Jainas relocated from the area after a historical moment in time, the partition of Pakistan by the British in the mid-20th century, leaving behind their rich culture and architectural landmarks in the form of the scenic Jain temples.

5. The Muslim Masjid Mosque In Bodhesar Is Influenced By Jain Design

The design of the Jain temples had a deep root in the region such that one of the modern-day Muslim Masjid Mosque in the Bodhesar village resembles the Jain architectural design rather than the contemporary Islamic architectural design.

The Gori temple also encompasses an Islamic dome design that is similar to the temples in Mount Abu Rajasthan, India.

The building of the Bodhesar white marble mosque was heavily influenced by the architecture of neighboring Jain temples.

The mosque includes a central dome that is comparable to the domes seen in adjacent Jain temples, and it is perched on each side by a 9-square-foot structure.

The mosque’s columns similarly depict Jain structures, and the ornamental elements near the dome are likewise influenced by the temples of the Jain people

6. These Temples Have Very Beautiful Imagery And Murals

The Goddess by Smn121 –

The Jain Gori temple, which is the largest of the Jain temples, consists of three mandaps and fifty-two shrines of Islamic style, each possessing imagery of some of the Jain prophets.

The canopy of its majestic entrance is covered in drawings and paintings that represent the mythology and the beliefs of the Jain people.

These murals, called frescoes, are far much older than the other frescoes of Jain temples in the Northern part of India.

The paintings’ vibrant colors suggest they are in their original configuration, making them possibly some of the oldest surviving frescoes in Pakistan that have not been ‘stolen.’

Some of the temple’s walls have been destroyed by an earthquake, and some sections have been broken down by the British at some point during their occupation. These sections have not been repaired.

7. These Temples Are Built Using The Maru-Gurjara Style

This temple design is from the Gujarat and Rajastan regions dating back to at least the 10th century. The Jain Gori temple was built on a high platform and accessible by a series of steps, similar to stairs, that were carved out of the rock.

The sheer sense of detail in curving the patterns observed on the dome of the temple depicts a true mastery of art and showcases the beauty of Jain art.

The Gori temple was built around the 16th century by a wealthy Hindu businessman who then dedicated it to the 23rd Jain prophet, Lord Parshwanath.

About 15 miles north of Nagarpakar lies the three magnificent Virawah temples. They are found near the town of Virawah and they were founded by a man called Jesus Parmana.

The first of the three temples have walls that are built using limestone. Some of these walls have fallen and deteriorated and some remains have been placed inside the temple.

Its outer portion consists of a dome shape and several idols in the shape of elephants and horse riders can be found inside. The other two Jain temples are of almost similar architectural design.

This temple can be found to the west of the bazaar. The temple’s perimeter wall has just about faded away.

A step of two stairs leads to the entryway from the west. In terms of design, the Jain temples of Nagarparkar and Virawah are extremely similar. The walls of the main hallway are decorated with a variety of colours, ornamental elements, and motifs.

8. The Temples Have A Structure Called The Garbharigha

The Jain Temple by Tajamalkhan –

The temple is underpinned by eight pillars, each with a carved capital that accepts the beams. The beams are embellished with various spatial motifs. Likewise, four painted pillars support the garbhagriha. The garbhagriha is a sanctuary on which the Jain cult images are painted.

9. Some Temples Were Used As Cow Sheds

The Bhodesar Masjid, located four miles from Nagar are three other Jain temples. About 66% of the temples were utilized as cow sheds, with the remaining 35 % being walled with perforations at the rear in the late 1800s.

On adjacent hills, an old water reservoir known as the Bodhesar Talao was also constructed.

10. All These Temples Are Listed On The UNESCO World Heritage

These temples are a very important part of the Jain people and Pakistani cultural heritage as well.

Therefore, the government of Pakistan commissioned the area to be listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 2016, not only for its architectural merit but also because Jainism is portrayed as part of the coastal-based commercial sector, as well as the altering environmental impacts of the planet.