Jain Temple at Nagarparkar
Thar desert has a splendid collection of ancient Jain temples, testimony to the presence of colourful Hindu and Jain kingdoms in the past. One of these temples is situated at the western end of the main bazaar of the village Nagarparkar, Sindh province of Pakistan. The original name of the temple is unknown, but because of its place near the bazaar it is called "Bazaar Temple" by the locals. Like the Jain Temple at Gori the site of Nagarparkar is assumed to be a prosperous center of Jain religion in the past.
Bazaar of Nagarparkar
No date of construction could be ascertained but the temple building is at least 500 years old and may date into the 14th century CE. The figurative program of the mandir as well as its elaborate architecture and fine ornaments are quite similar to other Jain temples in the Thar desert. The courtyard of the temple, save one odd pillar, has completely vanished. The outer walls still retain some of its charisma. The main icon of the temple, probably the image of a Tirthankara, must once have stood in the main hall but is now long gone, either stolen or broken by some fanatic. The entrance still have few smaller statuettes but most of them are desecrated and chipped. The condition of the rooms inside of the temple seem not better than the outside; at least some of the original wall paintings, which probably adorned once the whole interior of the temple, remained partially damaged.
Outer wall of Nagarparkar Jain Temple, situeted at the western side of the bazaar
Courtyard of Nagarparkar Jain Temple
Impressions from Nagarparkar Jain Temple
