Remember the white section in our flag? That’s right, the very white that represents our fellow Pakistanis who are of different religions. Pakistan is a land of many different colors, cultures and faiths. Each faith has it’s own set of beliefs and practices, which make Pakistan a diverse place.
We may believe in different things, but we are all united by the fact that we are Pakistanis. So to celebrate our fellow Pakistanis, here’s a journey across Pakistan to explore some holy landmarks that celebrate the different religions present in the country.
1. Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib.
Pakistan is home to one of the most significant Sikh sites of worship. Nankana Sahib is a city near Lahore and is named after the very first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak, as it was his birthplace. The Gurdwara Janam Asthan, built by the parents of Guru Nanak Dev, was built in 1600 CE, making it not only a place of worship, but also that of rich history. Mahraja Ranjit Singh built the current structure of the Gurdwara, adding a square, along with domed sanctum with a rectangular pavilion attached to it within a vast walled compound.
2. Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir, Karachi.
It’s one of the oldest temples of oldest temples of Karachi and is said to be 1500 years old. This mandir is unique as it is the only temple in the world that contains an original statue of the Hindu god ‘Hanuman’, being in a natural state and is not man made. Therefore this temple holds great significance to Hindus all over the world, giving the Hindus of Pakistan another reason to be proud of their heritage.
3. Holy Trinity, Karachi.
The work for the Holy Trinity began in 1852 and adopted the style of the Romanesque basilica. It’s an 18th Century church that is quite near to Zainab Market. It has beautiful carvings on its arches along with the traditional stained glass on the windows, representing the Prophet Jesus and his mother Mary. It originally had a tower, which was modified due to poor construction, that served as a lighthouse and also helped generate money for the church as well. The inner architecture of the church is exquisite and adds to the diversity of Pakistani history and culture.
4. Katasraj Temple, Punjab.
This breathtaking site belongs to the deity of Lord Shiva and legend has it that the clear mystical pond that lies between the temples are believed to be the tears of Shiv upon loosing Sita. The temple has been there since Mahabharata and the holy place comprises of ‘Satgraha’ which are seven seats of distinct deities in its very premises. It has become a popular sight not only for tourists, but also for Hindus who come here to worship. It has the remains of a Buddhist Stupa and the holy pond is bathed in on several occasions as it is said to possess powers that could wash you of all your sins.
5. Christ Church, Rawalpindi.
In 1852 the Christ Church was built for the purpose of providing a place for worship for the British Garrison of that time. It’s one of the Churches that have commemorative plaques in its interior for those who laid their lives during action. It has been refurbished over time with newly fitted tiles and exterior. The architecture of the church is quite similar to those of various Western cultures. Every Sunday it holds the traditional mass and the Christian community has made a valiant effort at maintaining the Christ Church beautifully.
6. St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Karachi.
The Cathedral is a 120 years old and is built in Gothic revival architecture. Sindh Culture Heritage Protection Act marked the Cathedral to be a protected monument in 2003 because of its exquisite architecture. In 1978 when the Cathedral celebrated its centenary, Pope John Paul I also sent his blessings and warm wishes after which in 1991 the iconic Mother Teresa visited the esteemed Cathedral as well. It can seat up to 2000 members and is situated on Clarke Street and the interior walls are all of stained glass, adding to its beauty and diversity of our Christian culture.
7. Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore.
Remember that Gurdwara that we always see next to the majestic Badshahi Masjid? It has always intrigued me a lot and I have always wondered how it was made and when. Well, here’s how it was built. The Gurdwara Dera Sahib was built upon the place where Guru Arjun Dev Ji was martyred in the River Ravi in 1606 AD. It was here that late Mahraja Ranjit Singh built a small gurdwara which was later reformed in 1934 AD. The dome is gold-plated and the floors are cemented and the front is built in marble, here proper rituals are observed on a daily basis. It is also plays an integral role during yearly festivals for Sikhs.
8. Hinglaj Mata Temple, Balochistan.
Legend dictates that Sati’s father, Pajapati Daksh, was agains the marriage of Shiva–Sati’s. In an act of defiance, as she was not invited to to a ‘yajna’ that her father hosted, she jumped into the fire and committed suicide. However, her body did not burn and so Shiva searched the world with her corpse and upon finding Vishnu, her body was dismembered into 52 pieces out of which, it is said that her head fell at this ‘Shakti Peeth’ which is now known as Hinglaj Mandir. This mandir holds great significance to Hindus from all parts of the world.
9. Sacred Heart Cathedral, Lahore.
It was consecrated in 1907 by the Bishop of Lahore and is a sight to see. The Roman Byzantine style was adopted when building this magnificent cathedral. A special message was sent by the esteemed Pope Benedict XVI for the jubilee of the Lahore cathedral. The Cathedral’s interior is worth seeing as it has a very high grooved ceiling with stained glass on the windows near the alter. It’s one of the most important Catholic Churches of Lahore and once you step inside the premises, the breathtaking architecture takes you back in time and stands as a hallmark for cultural solidarity.
These are some of the most beautiful Holy places out of the innumerable that we have. They, along with our fellow Pakistani brothers and sisters, play an integral role in the history of our country. We are proud to belong to a nation of such religious, cultural and architectural diversity!