Jain Temple in Pakistan build by Goricho in 300 AD

Situated between Islamkot and Nangarparkar, Gori jo Mandir is shrouded in mystery. Even its original name lost in antiquity, having change many times in the course of the centuries. With no written history of the temple having survived, the only story as to its origin is a legend that it was build by Goricho, a Jain worshiper in 300 AD.

This legend is supported by historian Richard Rathore,who in his book Old Tharparker, writes that this temple was build by Goricho, a saint of the Jain religion and follower of Mahavira (599-527 BC). Build with intricately carved stones, the building has 52 steeples and several small rooms, some of which can accommodate only one solitary worshiper.

While the purpose of the temple was undoubtedly religious, politics may have played part in its downfall,”The British military destroyed some part of this temple because they found out that conspiracies against British rule were being hatched hear”,writes Rathore.

Gori jo Mandar makes an immediate impression on those intrepid visitors willing to travel to this lonely spot. Constructed from marble, probably brought in from Gujarat. According to Professor Altaf Aseem, former head of department of Aacheology at Khairpur’s Shah Abdul Latif University, the main architectural feature of this temple was its 54 beautifully built domes, which no longer exist.