In a disturbing trend of continuous attacks on Hindu temples in Pakistan, it has been revealed that the number of temples has drastically decreased since the country's independence. According to the Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement, at the time of partition in 1947, there were 428 Hindu temples in Pakistan. However, shockingly, by the 1990s, the majority of these temples, around 408, were converted into restaurants, hotels, government schools, or madrassas.

Presently, only 22 Hindu temples have managed to survive the relentless wave of destruction. Out of these, 11 are located in the Sindh region, four in Punjab, four in Pakhtunkhwa, and three in Balochistan.

Some of the most appalling incidents include the conversion of the Kalibari temple in Pakistan's Dara Ismail Khan into the Taj Mahal Hotel, the destruction of a Hindu temple in Bannu district, replaced by a sweet shop, and the Shiva temple in Kohat, which is now being used as a school.

In a rare positive discovery, in the year 2020, the Archaeological Department unearthed a 1300-year-old Hindu temple in the Swat district of northwestern Pakistan. The temple was believed to be dedicated to Lord Vishnu and was found during an excavation conducted by a joint team of archaeological experts from Pakistan and Italy. However, the fate of this historical site remains uncertain, as questions arise about its preservation in a country where temples continue to be targeted.

Even in the capital city of Islamabad, the construction of a temple for Shri Krishna faced opposition. In 2020, former Prime Minister Imran Khan granted permission for the temple's construction, but it was met with resistance from fundamentalist groups. The temple's wall was demolished initially, causing public outcry. Eventually, under pressure, the government proceeded with the temple's construction.

The ongoing attacks on Hindu temples in Pakistan are a cause for concern, as minority communities continue to face discrimination and threats. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, urging authorities to protect the country's cultural heritage and ensure religious freedom for all its citizens.

Muharram 2023: Jammu govt postpones ‘Ashura’ holiday; See new date

Sindhi Religion: A Journey of Cultural and Spiritual Traditions

If you are going on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, do not forget to visit these places as well