Malot Temple
Building in Punjab, Pakistan
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Malot (Urdu: ملوٹ) is a temple located in the Salt Range of Punjab, Pakistan. It was constructed in Gandhara-Nagara style by the Odi Shahi dynasty in the 10th century CE.[1]: 57
| Malot Temple | |
|---|---|
A view of Malot Temple | |
 Interactive map of the Malot Temple area | |
| General information | |
| Location | Chakwal District, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Coordinates | 32°41′0″N 72°48′0″E |
| Completed | 10th century CE |
Location
Malot is located in the Kallar Kahar Tehsil of Chakwal District,[2][3][4][5] seven miles away from the Katas Raj Temples.[6]: 57
Architecture
Malot temple was constructed with the red sandstone from Salt Range, as were other temples in the region. It consists of a central shrine. On each side large fluted pillars are topped by āmalaka and block capitals, supported by a large trefoil vault. The smaller fluted columns besides the inner chambers support a kind of head-house, above a multi-lobed toraṇa and crowning kīrttimukha which adores the central vault of the trefoil entrance. Michael W. Meister suggests that the temple was once capped by a pyramidal roof with peaked dormers, now largely replaced by a watchtower.[1]: 58 The location and scale of the temple makes it a dominant feature of the surroundings.[1]: 58
Over the course of a millennium, the hill on which Malot resides has experienced geological alterations, resulting in the formation of narrow fissures.[7] The temple shows visible influences from the Kashmiri architecture, suggesting close relations of the Odi Shahis with the rulers of Kashmir.[1]: 58