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Pakistan is, as is the wider region of South Asia, home to some of the most stunning architectural sites of the world. I was privileged to write a coffee table book, called Gems and Jewels: the Religions of Pakistan (2021, Topical Press) in which I travelled across Pakistan from the North to the South. Travelling across Pakistan stunned me: there was not one architectural gem, but hundreds.
The more I saw, the more I realized that I had only just visited the base of the mountain and there was so much more to explore and enjoy. Had there been political stability, security in the region and cultural balance, Pakistan would be on the top of the must visit lists of the world for diverse sights and architectural beauty. Being the cradle of civilization, according to some, there are such fabulous layers of history, stories, narratives, and buildings in Pakistan.
From Muslim to Hindu to Buddhist to Christian to Sikh to Kalasha, Baha’i, Parsi, Jews and Jains, all have their beautiful buildings here. Here are some of my amazing experiences from my book that I want to share with you, and that I hope one day, you will visit too: Relying Too Much on Chatgpt Gori Mandir (approximately 1375-1376 CE) – The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a Jain Temple in Nagarparkar, Tharparkar, just close to the Indian border. Pakistanis may not know that Jainism is based in the concept of ahimsa or non-violence and non-attachment to material things.
The circular ceiling of the Jain Temple is one of the most stunning visions and is full of Jain paintings. The site has not been protected as well as it should have been and this needs to change. The site must be protected and cherished as a national and international treasure! The Darbe Mehr, Karachi – is a Parsi or Zoroastrian Temple – The temple is not always easily accessible to all.
With a Parsi friend in Karachi called Pouru, I visited the temple and was given a tour of the site. I was fascinated: do you know that Parsis believe in thinking good thoughts, saying good words, and doing good deeds! Kalasha homes and museum make up an interesting array of architectural treasures for the people who live in Chitral but also who visit in their thousands yearly! The Kalasha keep saying they are not “Kalasha kafir” as people in Pakistan wrongly call them. They seek respect for themselves and their culture and offer some beautiful and cheerful teachings and practices.
You must visit the beautiful Kalasha but always in a respectful and kind manner. We Need a University in Hub The Jewish cemetery in Lyari Karachi which I visited for my book, Gems and Jewels, offers another interesting site: it is the graveyard to many Jewish people who lived in the region years ago; and many of the epitaphs have some very moving writing to mothers, fathers, wives and children. This graveyard is full of thorns and brambles and needs some care.
The Rabbis I met, like Rabbi Aftab, said they were the most patriotic people: “We love our country Pakistan to the last drop of our blood.” The Buddhist stupas and the treasures of Swat, Mardan, Peshawar and Takkht Bahai are a global treasure and Pakistan is very lucky to have them, including the priceless statue of the Starving Buddha. The aim of Buddha was to purify his soul and become the awakened or the enlightened one through the middle path; Buddha realized, after extreme starvation, that extremism or extreme ways are not the right path.
Please visit Swat, stay at the Serena Hotel, and those beautiful areas of Pakistan to enjoy, what the Late Queen Elizabeth called, “the Switzerland of the East”! Demonstration of International Humanitarian Law Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasanabdal is also a site worth visiting along with Sikh gurdwaras in Nankana Sahib. There are fascinating legends and stories around the saintly character of Baba Guru Nanak. Did you know that the word Sikh, is from sikhna, meaning to learn! I was lucky to visit St Patrick’s Cathedral in Karachi on Christmas day.
It is a grand Christian building in one of the most important cities of Pakistan, a Muslim majority country. I was struck by the picture of Pope Francis there, who embodies the idea of Fratelli Tutti, meaning all human kind are brothers and sisters to each other and we must care for all. The Katas Raj Temple is a must see cluster of historical and legendry buildings made around a deep emerald-green pond.
There are fascinating legends around this area about Hindu (Sanathan Dharam) Rajas, Yakshas and Pandus. What’s amazing is that there are Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic sites clustered around the pond and its vicinity. According to Hindus, to become a perfect person and attain peace (aman Shanti) one must overcome lust, lechery, anger, greed, desire, and pride.
Rising Fees in Private Universities The Badshahi Mosque (completed 1673), the Shalimar Gardens as well as Wazir Khan Mosque and Nur Jahan’s tomb in Lahore are some of the most gorgeous buildings I have ever seen. There are so many legends around these buildings and some stunning art and architectural designs – they are a pure delight for the artist, the architect, and those who yearn for visual artistic delights. Added to this are some beautiful spiritual buildings such as the tomb of the saint, Mian Mir, in Lahore and Multan’s gorgeous brick and blue buildings such as Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Bibi Rasti Mai’s mosoleum, Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariyia’s grave.
Lahore and Multan are necessary to see amongst the treasures of Punjab. But so are the sights of Sindh as described above, including the Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta. In KPK, we have the historical Buddhist remains and stupas.
Sethi House in Peshawar is a pure delight to the eye with its intricate wood work and stained glass. In Balochistan we have the historical sites of Mehrgarh, the Hindu Hinglaj Mata site, and the not so old but historical Quaid e Azam’s residency building where I spent my childhood enjoying the cherry trees of Ziarat with some of my best friends. Although these sites, also covered in my book Gems and Jewels, inspire me and move me, the big questions remain: are these sites being valued? Are they being cared for in a proper way? Should some of them be used for research centres or cultural institutions? Should schools and universities make it compulsory for these sites to be visited regularly for cultural engagement and appreciation? Who will sponsor and fund the protection, care, and upkeep of these sites? Should modern technology, AI, and 3D imaging be used to preserve the sites so anyone from anywhere around the world can access these treasures, and more importantly, know about them? Dr.
Amineh Hoti The writer has over 20 years of experience leading interfaith dialogue, conflict mediation, and community engagement throughout the world. Tags: neglect care.
