Sitla Temple, Lahore
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| Sitla Temple, Lahore |
The martyrdom of the Babri Masjid by mischievous Hindus in India not only inflamed the sentiments of the Muslims but also had a direct effect on the Hindus living in Pakistan and their temples were also vandalized. Angry groups of Muslims demolished many temples, a highly reprehensible act that our religion does not teach us.
On the other hand, if you observe human behavior, it is also clear that in a state of anger you do everything that your bus runs on. If a mosque is martyred on the other side of the border, then the wrath falls on the temples on the other side as well.
One of the temples facing destruction was the Sitla Devi Temple in Lahore, which was probably the largest temple in Lahore in those days.
It was demolished in 1992 after the Babri Masjid riots and today only its name remains.
The temple is located along the Papri Mandi on Circular Road from Shah Alam Gate to Lahore Gate.
Mai Sheetla or Mata Sitla (cooling in Sanskrit) is a Hindu goddess also known as Mangla.
They are considered to be cooling or soothing. It is said that healing is done for the cure of skin diseases. Since the smallpox patient also feels extreme heat, the goddess is worshiped and the patient's health and coolness is prayed for.
Even today, in most of our villages, if someone gets smallpox, it is said that he has contracted smallpox.
Two years ago, when I was working as a medical officer in a village government hospital, most of the women would come to the children with skin diseases and tell them that "mother" had come out and at that time I kept wondering how one can call grains and boils as mother ... ??
A broom can also be seen in their hands and they ride on donkeys.
Hindus as well as Buddhists and some tribes in India and Bangladesh also believe in them.
Now let's go to the temple.
Historian Kanhiya Lal writes about the Sitla Temple in Lahore in his book History of Lahore
This sacred house is located outside the city in the middle of Shah Alami and Lohari, which is called "Sithala Devi's shrine".
Although day and night the devout Hindus worship it with perfect intention, but special worship takes place when smallpox is rampant. This place is the source of both Hindu and Muslim nations.
From the temple there are Basmat Gosh Lagni, many houses and huts in which sadhus live or cows, oxen, buffaloes etc. are tied.
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| Sitla Temple, Lahore |
There was once a temple in Karachi called Mai Sitla. After partition, these temples did not remain in their original form. But there are many temples of Mai Sitla in India. There is an area in Haryana called Gurgaon and the Mai Sitla festival held here is considered to be the second most important festival in India after the Kumbh festival.
One of the important things about Mai Sitla is that there used to be a Sitla pond in many temples which were named after other gods and goddesses. Where people used to take bath for quick healing of diseases.
The Sheetla Temple is said to be one of the largest and oldest temples in the city, built in 1909 in the name of the Hindu goddess Sheetla.
The same year is written on an old tablet there. Goddess Shetla was worshiped on a large scale in this temple, especially a big puja was arranged every Wednesday.
According to the Hindus, anyone who took a dip in the pool of water near the temple would get rid of all his skin diseases.
Before partition, Hindus as well as Muslim women used to bring their children here on the occasion of Diwali.
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| Sitla Temple, Lahore |
After partition, Muslim families who migrated from India settled within the temple boundaries, but the triangular dome and turrets of the temple remained intact. There were two other temples nearby which were completely demolished but part of this temple survived which was later demolished.
An educated elder (who was 82 years old) who lived nearby said that at the time of the attack, the mob had also brought with them heavy machinery through which the temple was demolished and a gentleman climbed up and smashed it with an ax. The historic pond near the temple was closed and a park was built there.
Just beyond the main road, the main entrance to the temple is still standing, and its mihrab looks like the door of a tomb.
There is still a balcony on the top of the mihrab and some paintings. Once inside, you will find a small mosque on the right hand side in a narrow alley and various shops and small houses in front. There are three arches one after the other (which the locals call the half moon) which have been reduced to half and lowered after various constructions. The elder said that these are the arches of the temple which are still standing.
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| Sitla Temple, Lahore |
In addition, an old plaque with a text in Hindi and Urdu can still be seen.
The Urdu text is'''
شیتلا مائی
Shri Mahant Prasramgarh 1909
There was also a goshala near the temple which has now become a furniture shop. Within the temple are small houses and shops of artisans making various items.
When a neighbor saw me taking pictures, he took me inside and showed me the remaining walls and arches.
The man said that a Hindu family from India came here about eight to ten years ago. He respectfully took off his shoes on the outside altar and came inside and opened a map.
According to this map, in the past, where the idol of Mai Shetla was kept, he worshiped and cried a lot when he saw the condition of the temple.
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| Sitla Temple, Lahore |
The Shetla Temple in Lahore is now a thing of the past but the name is still the hallmark of the place. People from India come to see it from time to time.