160. Temple of Kalyan Das Suri, Rawalpindi.

Before independence and the partition of the country in 1947, Hindus formed nearly one-third of the population of Rawalpindi city. They were an influential community and constructed many beautiful houses, several of which still survive today. These buildings remind us of the multi-religious character of the city in the past, as well as the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the pre-partition era.

Along with their houses, they also built numerous temples. One of the most prominent is the famous Kalyan Das Temple in Kohati Bazar, located at 33°37'19.31"N, 73°03'47.79"E. It is a majestic structure and a masterpiece of Hindu temple architecture.

At present, the temple houses a special school for visually impaired children, known as Government Qandeel Secondary School. The headmaster of the school, a very amiable gentleman, welcomed me warmly. However, due to official regulations, he could not permit me to take photographs and advised me to seek formal permission from the concerned department, which I managed to obtain a couple of days later.

The temple building stands in the middle of a spacious compound and immediately captures the eye with its grandeur. Its lofty spires rise high above, giving it a majestic presence. Surrounding the temple is a modern structure that now serves as classrooms for the students.

While I sat in the headmaster’s office waiting for the formalities to be completed, I had the chance to interact with some teachers and students. The experience was truly heartwarming. Their courage, discipline, and cheerful spirit left a deep impression on me. At this point, the headmaster politely requested that I avoid taking pictures from inside the building or too close to the temple. I soon understood the reason: repair and renovation work was in progress, and construction material blocked much of the view. I therefore refrained from close-up shots.

Nevertheless, pictures available online show the temple’s inner walls adorned with beautiful paintings, a glimpse of the splendour that still survives within this remarkable monument.

Temple of Kalyan Das Suri, Rawalpindi. (01.02.2022.)

According to an article published in the Tribune on March 25, 2022, written by Imran Ashgar, the foundations of the temple were laid in 1850 and it was completed in 1880. It carried great importance for the Hindu community of the city. It was a big complex and served the needs of worshippers and pilgrims from other areas. 

The temple is located in the middle of the four-sided school building. (01.02.2022.)

The temple has three lofty shikaras. (01.02.2022.)

A view from the first floor. (01.02.2022.)

The temple is simply a magnificent building.  (01.02.2022.)

The spires are so high that they were visible from throughout the city. (01.02.2022.)

The writer is on the roof of the first floor of the school building. (01.02.2022.)

The main spiral, surrounded by four smaller spirals, gives a fascinating view of the temple. It is definitely one of the oldest structures in the city, and if properly taken care of, can survive for a long time. The school for children is indeed doing a great service to the community but can be relocated to another better and bigger building. But heritage and history cannot be recreated or relocated. I strongly feel that this building should be preserved as a part of our history and heritage and should be promoted as a tourist attraction in the city. 

Tariq Amir

June 30, 2022.

Doha - Qatar.