The reconstruction of a Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Narowal district, where there hasn’t been a single functioning Hindu temple, marks a new beginning for the Hindu community. After 64 years of abandonment, the historic Bavoli Sahib Temple is being restored, with the Pakistani government allocating ₹10 million for the project in Punjab’s Safarwal town on the western banks of the Ravi River.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), responsible for minority places of worship in Pakistan, has taken up the temple’s restoration. The Bavoli Sahib Temple had ceased all worship since 1960. Currently, there are no Hindu temples in the Narowal district, forcing the Hindu community to perform rituals either at home or in neighboring cities like Sialkot and Lahore. This restoration marks a long-awaited victory for the local Hindu population.
Historically, there were 45 Hindu temples in Narowal, but over time, most fell into disrepair. The temple’s reconstruction is seen as a major step in addressing the needs of Pakistan’s Hindu minority, who make up about 2.14% of the population, according to the 2017 census. The restoration also signals hope for the preservation of other religious sites across Pakistan.
