Jain Mandir, Lahore

The Jain Mandir is a Jain temple located on Lytton Road in Old Anarkali, Lahore.^[1][2]

While its exact construction date remains uncertain, it is believed to have been erected in the late 1930s or early 1940s.^[3] According to Iqbal Qaiser, a Punjabi author, it was constructed by a woman in 1940.^[4]

Following the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the temple underwent a period of neglect.^[3] Significant damage was inflicted in 1992 in the wake of the Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya.^[3][4] Due to prevailing misconceptions linking Jainism with Hinduism, the Jain Mandir in Lahore was targeted.^[3] Despite its durable construction, the temple was substantially damaged over two days, with the aid of a crane facilitating the process.^[3] The remnants of its dome remained for roughly three decades.^[3]

In relation to the development of the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT), concerns were raised about the temple's fate.^[3] By 2016, the remaining parts of the temple were enclosed by a wall, with some of the surrounding area allocated to the OLMT project.^[3][5]

In December 2021, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the restoration of the Jain Mandir, in addition to a Hindu temple in Neela Gumbad.^[3][4] Restoration efforts included reinforcing the foundation, repositioning the original dome, updating infrastructure, and converting the nearby space for public use.^[3] The renovated temple, now standing at thirteen meters, is situated opposite the Anarkali station of the OLMT.^[3]

In June 2022, the Jain Mandir in Anarkali was reopened for religious practices.^[3]

The temple was designed in the Shikhara architectural style, a term derived from the Sanskrit word for "mountain peak."^[3] Characteristic features of Jain temples.^[3] The temple features a tapering tower with religious motifs and etchings, as well as adjacent courtyards, are evident in its design.^[3]