Rama Temple, also known as Ram Kund Temple, is situated in Saidpur Village, Islamabad, Pakistan.[1] The temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Rama, who Hindus believe lived in the area with his family during 14 years of their exile. The temple was built in the 16th century by Man Singh I.[2]
| Rama Temple, Saidpur | |
|---|---|
راما مندر | |
 View of Rama Temple at Saidpur Village | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Islamabad |
| Deity | Rama |
| Status | Defunct |
| Location | |
| Location | Saidpur Village |
| State | Islamabad Capital Territory |
| Country | Pakistan |
  Shown within Islamabad Capital Territory  Rama Temple, Saidpur (Pakistan)  Rama Temple, Saidpur (Asia) | |
| Geographic coordinates | 33°44′41.2″N 73°04′04.8″E / 33.744778°N 73.068000°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Hindu temple |
| Founder | Man Singh I |
| Date established | 16th-century |
History edit
For centuries, Hindus travelled far and wide to worship at the temple, staying in an adjoining Dharamshala (rest house for pilgrims). According to official records of the Rawalpindi Gazetteer dating back to 1893, a fair was held each year at a pond near the site called "Ram Kund" to commemorate that Ram and his family had once sipped water from it. However, after the Partition of India in 1947, the temple building was no longer used as a place of worship. In 1960, the building was used as a girls' school for the local people, and in 2006, it was turned into a tourist attraction by the Capital Development Authority. A a result, all the idols have now been removed.[3][2]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Yasin, Aamir (2016-10-09). "'Tourists, restaurants violate sanctity of Saidpur's temple'". Dawn. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
- ^ a b Yasin, Aamir (2016-10-09). "'Tourists, restaurants violate sanctity of Saidpur's temple'". Dawn. Retrieved 2023-04-18.
- ^ Yasin, Aamir (2018-03-11). "Rawal Dam temple — reminiscent of a submerged village". Dawn. Retrieved 2020-08-19.