1300 years old Hindu temple found in PAKISTAN, water tank also found nearby

New Delhi : A 1300-year-old Hindu temple has been discovered by Pakistani and Italian archaeological experts in a mountain in the Swat district of northwestern Pakistan. This temple was discovered during excavations at Barikot Ghundai. At the same time, a water tank has also been found nearby.

Fazle Khaliq of the Archaeological Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa announced this on Thursday, saying that this temple belongs to Lord Vishnu. He said that this temple was built 1,300 years ago during the Hindu royal period.

The Hindu Shahi or Kabul Shahi (850–1026 AD) was a Hindu dynasty that ruled in the Kabul Valley (eastern Afghanistan), Gandhar (modern Pakistan) and present-day northwest India. Archaeologists have also found the cantonment near the temple site and minarets for the guard during the excavation.

Experts have also found a water tank near the temple. Probably the devotees used to bathe there before worship. Khaliq said that the area has traces of Hindu imperial period for the first time. Dr. Luca, the head of the Archaeological Mission of Italy, said that this is the first temple of Gandhar civilization found in Swat district. There are also many places of worship of Buddhism in Swat district.