Amb Temples - Soon Valley, Punjab
The Amb Temples, locally known as Amb Sharif, are part of an abandoned Hindu temple complex on the Sakesar mountain, located at the western edge of the Salt Range in Pakistan's Punjab province. Although foundations go back to the period of Kushan Empire, the temple complex was built in the 9th to 10th centuries CE during the reign of the Hindu Shahi empire.
The ruins are located near Amb Sharif village, on Sakesar mountain in the Soon Valley of Pakistan. The ruins form the westernmost ruins of a string of Hindu temples in the Salt Range mountains that includes the Katas Raj Temples and Tilla Jogian monastic complex.
The main temple is roughly 15 to 20 metres tall, and built out of brick and mortar on a square plinth. It is regarded as the "loftiest" of temples built by the Hindu Shahi empire. The temple ruins have three stories, with stairs leading to inner ambulatories.
The temple is decorated with Kashmiri style motifs on its exterior, including a cusped niche. The structure of the main temple differs from Kashmiri temples which typically have pointed tops. The main temple is instead similar in style to the nearby Kalar temple, and Kafir Kot temple in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
To the west about 75 metres lies another smaller temple, which is 2 stories or 7 to 8 metres high, situated near a cliff. The temple features a small vestibule chamber facing towards the main temple. It was a few metres from a second similarly sized temple, which no longer exists. The entire temple complex was surrounded by a fortification, with the earliest construction at the site dating to the late Kushan period.
It is a must-visit place for someone who loves to adventure. This place is worth visiting for adventurous souls. The Soon Valley is famous for its beauty and many tourists especially Hindus who visit there to offer their rituals at the Amb Temples. The archaeological sites of the Amb Temples hold a special interest for the archaeologists. Many different statues of Hindu gods used to be here but nothing is left now. The temple is all ruined now and the Government should take some measures to renovate it. The locals and smugglers have taken many precious statues away from the temple. There is still some tremendous treasure underground in the shape of statues, coins, and aircraft, etc. The archaeological department should take some serious steps to preserve the temple and its treasure.
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Read also:
Hinglaj Mata Mandir - Balochistan
Nagarparkar Jain Temples - Sindh Pakistan
Kafir Kot - Ancient Hindu Temples in DI Khan
Katas Raj Temples- Oldest Hindu Temple In Pakistan