Jain Digambar temple, Lahore
Jain temple in Lahore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Jain Digambar temple is a Jain temple located on Lytton Road in Old Anarkali, Lahore.[1][2][3]
| Jain Digambar temple, Lahore | |
|---|---|
جین مندر | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Jainism |
| Restored | |
| c. 1940 | |
| Status | Active (reopened 2022) |
| Location | |
| Location | Lytton Road, Old Anarkali, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
 Interactive map of Jain Digambar temple, Lahore | |
| Coordinates | 31.5601°N 74.3093°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Jain temple |
| Style | Shikhara |
| Completed | c. 1940 |
| Height (max) | 13 m |
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]