December 20, 2025
By Rana Malhi
ISLAMABAD
Taxila has always been a crossroads – Buddhist monasteries, Hindu temples, Muslim monuments—they are all located here, layered one on top of the other. It is clear why the city has earned its UNESCO World Heritage status. But walking through its streets today, another story is unfolding: ancient structures are slowly disappearing, or under threat, not for any reason but simply because they are neglected, and because of the increasing urbanization happening around.
One such example is the Ram Rakhi Temple, a pre-partition Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, tucked away in the middle of the old city. It is hard to even find now. Houses have been built around it on all sides. The buildings around it press in so tight that even the temple’s dome and tower can barely be seen. Even these are in a dilapidated condition and seem to be susceptible to collapsing any time. Continuous construction activity and prolonged neglect have weakened the temple’s walls, increasing the risk of the historic structure collapsing.
The temple itself is falling apart. Paint and plaster flake off the walls. Cracks run through the stonework, filled with weeds and grass. There are still faint carvings and inscriptions if you look closely, but they are fading. Each monsoon season does a little more damage. Every year, a few more pieces crumble. The Ram Rakhi Temple isn’t just getting old—it’s being erased out of existence by the modern city growing around it.
The temple was built in the early 20th century – exactly on December 15, 1933. It was constructed by a woman named Ram Rakhi in memory of her late husband, Bhagat Lal Chand. An inscription engraved on the temple structure still bears witness to the date of its construction. But over time, lack of proper maintenance and continuous construction in its surroundings have caused significant damage to this historic building.
Local residents say that following the Partition of the subcontinent, the temple was abandoned due to the absence of a Hindu population in the area. Later, the Evacuee Trust Property Board allotted the temple to a migrant family, after which it began to be used for residential purposes. With the passage of time, more houses and buildings were constructed around the temple, resulting in most of the structure being hidden from view.
Speaking to Voicepk, historian and social activist from Taxila, Iftikharuddin, informs that at one time there were several Hindu temples in Taxila, but the Ram Rakhi Temple held particular significance. “This temple served as the central place of worship for the Hindu community at the time, which is why it was locally known as the “Bara Mandir” or Grand Temple,” he says adding that it was unfortunate that the same temple was now in a state of neglect and its historical importance is being ignored.
Social activist Syed Haider Ali Shah also expresses concern over the situation, saying that around the world, historical buildings belonging to different religions are preserved and protected, but in Taxila, an internationally recognized heritage city, the 92-year-old Ram Rakhi Temple does not receive the same level of protection that it deserves. He urged that the temple be preserved and restored to its original form so that future generations can remain connected to this important part of history.
Local resident Nawazish Ali told Voicepk that until the 1990s, the temple was clearly visible from a distance, but buildings constructed around it have now surrounded it from all sides. He adds that many historical sites from the Mughal and Hindu periods in Taxila are similarly disappearing due to neglect.
Experts and residents warn that if immediate measures are not taken, the Ram Rakhi Temple could collapse at any time. Such a loss would not only mean the destruction of a historic building but would also cause irreparable damage to the region’s cultural and religious heritage. Citizens have called on the relevant authorities to take practical steps for the protection and restoration of the temple so that this important chapter of Taxila’s history can be preserved.