Secrets of Thar: A Jain temple, a mosque and a 'magical' well

The Gori temple in Nagarparkar area of Tharparkar district. — Photo by author

After our convoy is stopped at a second checkpost — it is a ‘sensitive’ area, after all — our cameras are confiscated. This could have been a disaster, but we still have our smartphones on us. We can manage to take some photos once we reach our destination: the 16th century Jain Gori temple near the Pakistan-India border in Nagarparkar.

Unlike other sacred sites in Thar, the stunning white temple has hardly any worshippers left in the country. Nearby is the village of Gori, but not many come this way.

Local stories say the temple was built by a wealthy Hindu merchant and is dedicated to Lord Parshwanath, the 23rd Jain prophet. But with hardly any Jains left in the country, this major archaeological monument lies abandoned, neglected and shrouded in mystery.

The stunning white marble structure is built in a classical Jain style. — Photo by author

The Jain temple in the village of Gori was built around the 16th century. — Photo by author

It was built by a wealthy Hindu merchant and is dedicated to Lord Parshwanath, the 23rd Jain prophet — Photo by author

Immediately, the sight is unlike any other holy site you’ve seen: reminiscent of Jain architecture, the temple is not a smooth circle like other domed sanctuaries.

Its walls instead are geometric steps of marble — a particular style that shows up everywhere from the temple’s steps, to the frames carved inside some of its walls.

Stepping inside, I am greeted by semi-darkness and the screeching sound that seems to belong to an animal. I could have been terrified, but I am surrounded by intricate art and fresco work on every marble wall, pillar and ceiling.

The carvings shape their way up to a grand dome — a majestic sight even in little light.

But as beautiful as the dome is, it elicits a second shriek, as I identify the source of the earlier sound: the ancient dome is covered with innumerable tiny bats clinging on to the ceiling.

Fresco art inside one of domes. — Photo by author

The temple is lined with several tiny rooms around the main domes. — Photo by author

Carving on an outer wall of the temple. — Photo by author

The frescoes adorning the temple’s domes are a series of arches, and flat blocked patterns depicting kings and princesses in their royal attire.

The paintings’ colours and vibrancy suggests they are in their original state, possibly making them some of the oldest surviving frescoes in Pakistan that haven’t been ‘stolen’.

Some parts of the temple do visibly lie in ruin: walls destroyed by an earthquake, and sections broken down by the British at some point during their occupation. None of these sections have been repaired.

Mazing through the temple, I cross smaller rooms attached to the central dome, all without light. Aside from one picture — showing a god and a goddess — we find inside one of the cramped rooms, there is no idol, trinket or statue depicting the deity for which the temple was made.

The partially-destroyed portions of the temple. — Photo by author

The destroyed portions never seem to have been repaired. — Photo by author

We could explore around and dig deeper, but another look at the dark ceiling full of bats and I am ready to leave the temple in seconds. Besides, we are told that the Gori temple is not the only wonder the area has to offer.

Further on, Marvi jo koonh (Marvi’s well) is another frequented spot, home to several contradictory stories and legends.

According to one, Marvi — a local Thari woman — was kidnapped by King Umer several thousands of years ago at the well’s spot.

The famous well inside the 'Marvi Heritage & Cultural Center & Guest House'. — Photo by author

Because of the spot’s significance, it is said that the well never goes dry. There is certainly water in it; but it is also clear that the well has been restored and is kept maintained.

There may or may not be truth in the well’s magical powers, but a cultural centre that has cropped up beside the spot is determined to keep Marvi’s memory alive.

Mystical sounds of live Thari music echo from the centre's rooms, which contain wax sculptures depicting the folktale.

On one wall, a plaque praises Marvi’s refusal to give in to the king’s advances. Apparently, villagers revere Marvi because she gave preference to her village, which she chose over a royal lifestyle.

Further down the road, on the foot of the Karoonjhar Hills — also called granite hills — lies another domed marble structure, similar to the Jain temple. But this is a holy site for Muslims, not Jains: the Bhodisar Mosque.

The small Bhodisar mosque on the foot of Karoonjhar hills. — Photo by author

A board outside the Bhodisar mosque. — Photo by author

After climbing and crawling through some shrubs behind the mosque, we reach the Bhodisar Dam’s reservoir — a welcome sight of serene blue water.

Local women wash their clothes by its banks, while a few cows graze about in the delightful green pastures here.

A walk along this reservoir takes us through a park towards a second, smaller Jain temple. Apparently, this second temple once held an idol inside which has long gone missing. There are no boundaries and no caretakers. Hardly any locals seem to visit the place either.

The picturesque Bhodisar Dam reservoir with Karoonjhar Hills in the background. — Photo by author

A small Jain temple in Bhodisar. — Photo by author

We are told to stop by some other spots in the area, including a picturesque waterfall, but time restraints do not allow us to explore further, and we must return home. But every visit to Thar’s relics precedes another: I know I will visit again soon.

As a friend once said,

"The enchanting desert has kept us folks going back to it again and again... such is Thar's charm."

The author was on a trip to Tharparkar organised by Pakistan Council of Media Women (PCMW).