Kala Dhari: A Master Piece of Hindu Temple in BWP State: An Interfaith Hormoney in Ex-Princely State Bahawalpur

Abstract

The Kala Dhari Temple, located in the historic region of the former Bahawalpur Princely State in present-day Pakistan, represents an important yet understudied component of the region’s religious and cultural heritage. Associated with the worship of the Hindu deity Krishna under the epithet “Kala Dhari,” the temple reflects the religious practices and architectural traditions of Hindu communities that once flourished in Bahawalpur prior to the mid-twentieth century. This study examines the historical background, architectural characteristics, and socio-religious significance of the Kala Dhari Temple within the broader cultural landscape of the Bahawalpur State. Drawing on historical records, oral traditions, and regional heritage documentation, the research highlights the temple’s role as a local pilgrimage site and community center. The paper also situates the temple within the multi-religious history of Bahawalpur, where Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim communities coexisted and contributed to a shared cultural environment. By documenting the site and analyzing its historical context, this study contributes to the preservation discourse surrounding neglected heritage sites in Pakistan and emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the architectural and cultural legacy of the former princely states of South Asia.

Keywords: Religious Hormoney, Liberty for Minorities, Human Rights