Sikh-era Nag Temple being renovated: WCLA

LAHORE : The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA), in partnership with the Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan (AKCSP) and the US Embassy, is currently working on the Nag Temple, a Sikh-era temple situated inside the Lahore Fort, a Unesco world heritage site.

Since September 2022, AKCSP along with WCLA has been collaborating on the US Embassy-funded project "Cross-Cultural Edifices of Lahore Fort." This initiative aims to highlight the diversity of religious monuments across the site as well as preserving cultural legacy.

This sacred site, a testament to the city's diverse cultural heritage, is undergoing meticulous restoration to preserve its architectural and historical significance. The conservation project aims to protect the temple's structural integrity, repair damaged elements as well as work on restoring its context and fix water drainage issues. The team also aims to preserve the surface decoration in order to restore its original splendor along with opening up the site for visitors. The project is scheduled to finish by the end of August 2024.

The Director General, WCLA, Kamran Lashari said that the temple showcases the interfaith harmony of the old times. "This is a small but important monument inside the Lahore Fort. We are thankful to AKCSP and US Embassy for conserving this building and reviving its lost look and beauty. This monument was extremely neglected and was away from the eyes of the tourists and authorities. AKCSP and WCLA have taken up the conservation of this site, as we aim to conserve and restore every part of Lahore Fort,” Lashari said.