AMRITSAR: Confusion has persisted over whether the Nag Temple is a Sikh or Hindu temple, despite its origins during the Sikh era. But first the good news.
Although it comes after nearly 77 years, the Pakistan govt has finally awakened to “restore and preserve” the Nag Temple, located in the Lahore Fort, also known as Shahi Qila situated in the heart of the Lahore city.
Director of Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) marketing, tourism and culture Tania Qureshi said on Monday that WCLA, in partnership with the Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan (AKCSP) and the US embassy, was currently working on the Nag Temple, which is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Some historians argue that the temple — constructed by Chand Kaur, wife of Kharak Singh, son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh — is a Sikh temple that has a dome structure adorned with motifs of nag (snake). To clear the confusion, WCLA and AKCSP invited subject experts of both the religions and it was finally decided that it was a Hindu temple and not a Sikh gurdwara, Tania said. Maintaining that Nag Temple is a testament to Lahore’s rich cultural heritage, Tania claimed that it was being carefully “restored to maintain its architectural and historical value and pristine glory”.
Funded under the US embassy project "Cross-Cultural Edifices of Lahore Fort”, the restoration work will focus on protecting the temple’s structure, repairing damage, fixing water drainage problems and restoring its decorative features. Tania said that the temple has been opened for the first time since Partition. "The goal is to restore the temple to its original beauty and make it accessible to visitors,” she said, adding, the project was expected to be completed by the end of Aug 2024.
While admitting that this monument was extremely neglected and was away from the eyes of the tourists and authorities, she said, “Nag Temple showcases the interfaith harmony of the old times.” “This is a small but important monument inside the Lahore Fort and we are conserving this building and reviving its lost look and beauty,” she said.
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