SUKKUR: In the middle of the Indus River, between Rohri and Sukkur, lies a small island called Sadhu Bela. The centuries-old temple is very unique heritage site in Sindh, Pakistan.
The door of complex opens to Dharam Mandir but it is spread over nine acres and sacred to both Hindus and Sikhs.
There still exists a tree in the temple premises.
It is famous that Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, taught Sadhus about the path of life.
Bella means forest in Sindhi language, so whenever Hindus, British and Muslims, all used the word Bella. The reason was the presence of forest here.
Sadhu Bela is first mentioned in history some 476 years ago.
When Humayun’s younger brother Kamran Mirza came to Sindh and married Chouchak Begum, daughter of the then ruler of Sindh Shah Hassan Bin Shah Beg Arghoon.
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Later when Humayun returned to Bakhar in 1547 AD, Shah Hassan built a magnificent house in Sadh Bella for him.
This is the house Humayun stayed for a few days before leaving for Mecca.
Mir Masoom Shah Bakhri also built a building called Satyasar on this beautiful island, it was a dome to guide the boats and fleets.
At that time, Sadhu Bella was inhabited by palm trees and forest.
Due to the influence of the Hindus, no one was allowed to evict Bankhandi Sadhu from the island.
When the British captured the fort of Bakhar, the four stone idols of Bankhandi Maharaj were left as they were.
This was the time when island became a place of pilgrimage and worship for Hindus.
The annual festival now takes place only on the 12th, 13th and 14th of the month of Haad (July).
The festival is called the festival of Baba Bankhandi Maharaj.
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Currently, its care and control is under Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).
The complex has eight other temples, a library, dining areas, a huge garden, along with rooms and residences for monks and people.
The tiny island regularly draws in seekers from different faiths, and neighbours from across the border.
The temple has a very attractive architecture.
The walls of the temple are decorated with marble carving on which their gods sculptures are put up in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
Abu Hamood Mohammad, a tourist from Karachi, told News 360 that he saw Sadh Bella on the internet and decided to visit it.
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“It is amazing that the ancient historical site of Sadhu Bella has survived to this day but it is unfortunate that the organizers and the government are not providing facilities or information to tourists”.
“If arrangements are made to provide them the required information, this place will become more attractive and charming”.
Talking to News 360, Rizwan Ahmed, another tourist, said that Sadhu Bella required government’s attention. This is our heritage and we must take great care of it, he added.
“I am a resident of Sukkur. I have been coming here since my childhood. It is the largest Hindu religious site in the subcontinent where prayers and wishes come true”.
He said that the government should not only protect such a rare national heritage but also take concrete steps to promote it.