Jain Temple Papnakha, Gujranwala

 

Papnakha/Papnakhan is a small historical town of Gujranwala which has its own unique historical status. It is located at a distance of about 8 kms in west of Gujranwala city. Papnakha was established as Peepa Nagar in 1st century B.C during the rule of Raja Salwan, the ruins of which can still be seen under the mound in the cemetery of Papnakha. 

                                   

It had been an important center for the followers of Jainism. The Jain temple of Papnakha has a very similar architecture to that of other Jain temples located in different towns of Gujranwala like Jain temple of Rasul Nagar, Bhabrian wala Bazar Jain temple and samadh of Jain Acharya Atma Ramji of Gujranwala. The antiquities kept in the Jain Gallery of the Lahore Museum have also been taken from these Jain temples of Gujranwala. It would not be exaggeration to call Gujranwala the center of Jainism in this region of Punjab. Researched and written by Salman Qamar, Gujranwala.