Tilla Jogian

From Jatland Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

Tilla Jogian Fort

Tilla Jogian (Hindi:टीला जोगियान, Punjabi and Urdu: ٹلہ جوگیاں‬‎) is an abandoned Hindu temple and monastic complex located on the summit of the Tilla Jogian mountain in the Salt Range of Punjab (Pakistan).

The complex was the most important centre for Hindu jogis in Punjab prior to 1947, and had housed hundreds of ascetics . The site is also important in Sikhism for its association with the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak.

Location

The Tilla Jogian complex is located on Pakistan's Potohar plateau, approximately 25 km west of the cities of Jhelum and Dina. The complex is located near the Jhelum River and the Grand Trunk Road – the ancient route which connected Central Asia to India. Tilla Jogian is also near the Rohtas Fort, and the Katas Raj Temples — another important Hindu pilgrimage site with a sacred pond that is said to have been created from the teardrops of the Hindu god Shiva.

History

Maharaja Ranjit Singh built a small monument to mark the spot where Guru Nanak meditated during a 40-day stay at the site.

Tilla Jogian is popularly believed to have been a Hindu pilgrimage centre for at least 2000 years.[1] The complex is said to have been established in 1st century BCE.[2] The Kanphata jogi, an ascetic order noted for its members' ear piercings, was founded by Guru Gorakhnath, and was centred at TIlla Jogian.[3]

Tilla Jogian's importance as a Hindu pilgrimage centre attracted the founder of Sikh faith, Guru Nanak who meditated here for 40 days in the early 1500s.[4] The Mughal Emperor Akbar visited the "Shrine of Balnath," an influential and widely venerated yogi. The shrine was noted by his chronicler Abul Fazal to be "so old" that its origins had become obscure,[5] and that Akbar expressed marvel at the site's old age.[1] The 17th century emperor, Jahangir, also visited the temple complex. Following the collapse of Mughal rule, the complex was sacked and looted by the Pashtun king Ahmad Shah Abdali,[2] during one of his several raids into Punjab. The complex was quickly rebuilt following Abdali's defeat.[6]

Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the late 19th century commemorated the visit of Guru Nanak with the construction of a stone-lined pond, and construction of a small monument to mark the exact spot at which Guru Nanak is said to have usually meditated.[7]


The site was considered the most important pilgrimage site for jogis in Punjab and was home to hundreds of jogis prior to Partition. Tilla Jogian once also was home to a Brahminical seminary surrounded by extensive residential areas.[8]

Heer Ranjha - Tilla Jogian is mentioned in the Punjabi poem Heer Ranjha, written by Waris Shah in 1766.[9] Ranjha, the story's protagonist, who when spending his time on the rebound from heartbreak, sublimating his love and passion in the spiritual world, came here for consolation to his former love. He had his ears pierced here, following the tradition of Guru Goraknath's followers.

External links

References

  1. Rashid, Salman (20 July 2012). "Tilla Jogian". Express Tribune.
  2. Tilla Jogian Hindu heritage
  3. Gorakhnāth and the Kānphaṭa Yogīs, George Weston Briggs, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 1938,
  4. Bansal, Bobby Singh (2015). Remnants of the Sikh Empire: Historical Sikh Monuments in India & Pakistan. Hay House, Inc. ISBN 9789384544935.
  5. Rashid, Salman (2005). Jhelum: City of the Vitasta. Sang-e-Meel Publications. ISBN 9789693517347.
  6. Rashid, Salman (20 July 2012). "Tilla Jogian". Express Tribune.
  7. Bansal, Bobby Singh (2015). Remnants of the Sikh Empire: Historical Sikh Monuments in India & Pakistan. Hay House, Inc. ISBN 9789384544935
  8. Malik, Iftikhar Haider (2006). Culture and Customs of Pakistan. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 9780313331268.
  9. Bansal, Bobby Singh (2015). Remnants of the Sikh Empire: Historical Sikh Monuments in India & Pakistan. Hay House, Inc. ISBN 9789384544935.

Back to Jat Places in Pakistan