Hanuman temple at Mianwali where the ‘treasure’ is buried

The ancient and historical city of ‘Mari’, situated on the banks of the Indus River in Mianwali, used to be a huge commercial market before the creation of Pakistan.

From here, salt and other goods were sent through the Indus river on ships and ships for commercial purposes.

Located 14 km from Kalabagh, this small, quiet village, rich in natural scenery and minerals, has the ‘Fort of Hanuman’ on the top of the hill and two temples at a short distance from it.

During 323 to 332 BC, this fort was the seat of Raja Kanishka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has mentioned two temples on this mountain in his book ‘Along The River Indus’.

The Indus River travels several hundreds of meters and enters the plains here.

After many years, the condition of these temples here has become very dilapidated and weeds have grown around the water ponds and basements. Due to the salt mines under this mountain, the process of mountain collapse is also going on.

This fort of Hanuman also has basements and traces of soldiers’ quarters. The basements have sunk, in which, according to the locals, ‘great treasure is buried.’

Before the partition of India, there was a large number of Hindus here. Their old houses are still there in Mari city.

Deputy Chief Geologist Malik Muhammad Afzal told Independent Urdu that ‘According to historians and experts, there is also treasure here, which no one has been able to find, but from the rooms and basements here, precious stones, vessels made of precious metal and Other items have also been found.’

The architectural style of these two temples in Mari city is also similar to the other temples on Kohistan Namak mountains at Katas Raj in Chakwal area, Balut in Dera Ismail Khan and Kafir Kot fort. These temples in Mari city are also called as Shiv Manoti Temple.

In the past, local people have destroyed the beauty of the temple and the fort by digging in search of ‘treasure’.

A magnificent architectural masterpiece, this temple is made of golden colored stones, which appear to shine like gold in the sun.

This stone was specially procured from Attock for the construction of these temples and the fort.