Lava temple, Lahore fort, Hindu temple in Lahore Fort, Pakistan
The Lava Temple stands near the Alamgiri Gate within Lahore Fort and displays traditional Hindu architectural features including an inner sanctum and tower structure. The visible remains are modest in size, showing only a portion of what the original building once occupied.
The structure was built during the Sikh period and ranks among the few Hindu shrines that survived the major demographic shifts following India's partition in 1947. Its location within the historic fort complex contributed to its preservation through the centuries.
The temple honors Lava, a figure from Hindu tradition, and connects to local beliefs about the city's founding. Visitors can see how this religious site reflects the spiritual identity that shaped Lahore's early history.
The site is accessible through the fort's main entrance as part of a visit to the larger complex. The temple's current condition requires careful exploration, so watch for uneven surfaces and structural damage when moving around the area.
Archaeological digs near the Royal Kitchen have revealed that this site once held a much larger building than the modest remains visible today suggest. Artifacts found during these excavations point to a structure that once covered significantly more ground than what now stands.
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