197. A Hindu Temple at Wan Bhachran, district Mianwali!

Wan Bhachran is a small town located about 25 km southeast of Mianwali, on the Mianwali–Khushab Road. It is famous for its baoli (stepwell), which has recently been repaired and restored to its original form. For more details, you may visit 187. Baoli of Wan Bhachran! (District Mianwali).

I visited this town on 20 September 2025 to see the historic baoli. While exploring the site, I learned about a Hindu temple situated nearby, about 150 meters to the east. It is a small temple, and I am not aware of any particular religious or historical significance associated with it. The temple is located almost in the centre of the town at:  32°24'58.43"N,  71°41'49.81"E. 

A Hindu Temple at Wan Bhachran. (20.09.2025.)

Another view of the temple. (20.09.2025.)

L to R: Tariq Amir & Muhammad Rasheed. (20.09.2025.)

Muhammad Rasheed's family migrated in 1947 from Bharatpur, an erstwhile princely state located about 50 km west of Agra. Now a district of Rajasthan state. His father's name was Muhammad Ibrahim s/o Muhammad Sardar. 

This temple covers an area of 11 Marla (1 Marla = 272 sq. ft.) and is the property of the Auqaf Department. They have given the property to this refugee family on lease. 

Entrance to the temple. (20.09.2025.)

Murti Asthan in the temple. (20.09.2025.)

Decorative tiles above the Murti Asthan. (20.09.2025.)

Another view of the interior. (20.09.2025.)

A small enclosure inside the temple. (20.09.2025.)

Naturally, the most important question on my mind was how old the temple was and when it was constructed. But nobody had any idea. However, Muhammad Rasheed pointed to a very interesting thing. He showed me a few fragments of a newspaper stuck inside the fireplace or Murti Asthan. 

DAILY MIRROR

TUESDAY JUNE 9, 1936.

The year 1936 can be seen written on the left end. 

The area around the temple, which was clearly a Hindu locality, had a deserted look. Most of the shops, dating back to the pre-1947 era, were closed. It seems that the settlers who arrived after Partition could never truly rejuvenate this part of the town.

A big wooden door. (20.09.2025.)

Beatiful wooden doors of the houses. (20.09.2025.)

A few deserted shops. (20.09.2025.)

Another door in the nearby street. (20.09.2025.)

A house of a Hindu. (20.09.2025.)

On the front wall of this house or shop, something is written, but I could only read one word, “वेदिक” (Vedic) — while the rest of the inscription is illegible.

It is understandable that all the old temples or houses cannot be preserved; that is practically impossible. But at least the main temple building should not be allowed to be used as private property, allowing people to use them as store rooms or pens for their animals. This is disrespect and negligence and should not be acceptable. After all, these temples have properties in their name, which generate considerable revenues.

Tariq Amir

October 28, 2025.

Islamabad