In a broad taste mapping exercise, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has highlighted Jalandhar arsenic a exemplary of communal harmony and humanities significance. Led by INTACH’s Punjab State Convener Maj Gen Balwinder Singh (Retd), the survey presents Jalandhar not conscionable arsenic an past metropolis but arsenic a vibrant awesome of taste confluence.
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Once a Muslim-majority metropolis earlier Partition, Jalandhar contiguous is location to Sikhs, Hindus, Christians and Muslims, coexisting successful shared spaces. “It’s not conscionable a city—it’s a taste dialog successful motion,” said Maj Gen Singh, noting that festivals and traditions from assorted communities are celebrated crossed the city.
Among the city’s humanities landmarks is the Jama Masjid and Dargah of Imam Nasar, which day backmost astir 800 years. According to legend, Iranian Sufi saint Imam Nasaruddin tamed a demon king named Jalandhara Nath done spiritual persuasion, starring to the dispersed of Sufism successful the region. The dargah’s architecture, arsenic noted by the Archaeological Survey of India, reflects classical Mughal design, with its entranceway inspired by Hyderabad’s Charminar. An yearly Urs held successful March draws ample numbers of devotees.
Christian practice is represented by the Golaknath Memorial Church, the city’s oldest church, built implicit 125 years ago. Modeled connected a religion successful Jerusalem, it was founded by Rev. Golaknath Chatterjee, a Bengali Brahmin-turned-missionary, successful the 1830s.
The Devi Talab Mandir, much than 200 years old, is among India’s 51 revered Shakti Peethas. According to mythology, it marks the spot wherever Maa Sati’s close bosom fell during Lord Shiva’s tandava. The temple continues to pull pilgrims and spiritual seekers year-round.
Baba Sodal’s shrine, arsenic steeped successful legend, is of immense value for section women. The communicative goes that young Baba Sodal drowned successful a pond astatine his mother’s command. Today, thousands of devotees sojourn the shrine during the yearly fair, carrying distant h2o from the ineffable pond for blessings.
The Gurdwara Talhan Sahib, established successful representation of artisan-saint Baba Nihal Singh, remains a cardinal spiritual tract successful the city’s Sikh landscape. Baba Nihal Singh was renowned for his bonzer accomplishment successful constructing wells whose h2o ne'er ran dry—a acquisition galore believed to beryllium divine.
Jalandhar besides holds a peculiar spot for the Dalit assemblage done the Guru Ravidass Dham successful Bootan Mandi, which hosts the expansive Prakash Utsav each year. Celebrated adjacent earlier the Ad-Dharam Mandal was formed successful 1926, the festival contiguous stands arsenic a large spiritual and societal lawsuit successful the Doaba region.
“From Sufi saints to Shakti temples, colonial-era churches to revered Sikh sites, Jalandhar’s practice continues to archer the communicative of a metropolis shaped by galore hands—and galore hearts,” said Maj Gen Singh.
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