Nursing Phuwaar Hindu Temple Soon Sakesar Pakistan

Nur Singh Pawar—commonly called Nursing Phuwaar—is a remote Hindu temple and retreat built on a narrow green ledge in the Soon Sakesar region of Punjab. Natural spring water, old residential remains and steep canyon walls give the site a secluded character unlike the better-known Hindu temples of Pakistan.

Nursing Phuwaar can be combined with the Amb Sharif Temple and Fort Complex as part of a longer heritage journey through the Soon Valley.

The site is reached from the Kallar Kahar side through the Soon Valley and lies near Pail and Katha Masral. Journey times vary with the chosen route and road conditions, so travellers should verify the latest directions locally before leaving.

High above this retreat is the actual granite rock cliff where we can park our cars.

The top cliff is just a short walk off the Sodhi Jay wali road after Keri and before Katha reserve forest.

Khudumi water falls is another 2 hours hike ahead.

The final approach follows a narrow and steep track. Do not attempt it in an unsuitable vehicle or during rain. Parking above and completing the descent on foot may be safer, but visitors should confirm the route with a knowledgeable local guide. Carry sufficient drinking water and return well before darkness.

The top shelf is an ideal ramp to jump off of for paragliding sports, as the canyon is way down in the abyss. The winds and updraft was quite strong in this hot summer month. But I am not the expert.

We got there in the month of June, and it was very hot. I hadn’t brought enough water to complete my hike down into the retreat and come back again.

I blocked out everything and walked down into the cool, green and peaceful Hindu retreat that is Nursing Phuwaar after a 30 minutes hike.

The spring-fed ledge felt noticeably cooler than the exposed ground above it.

The place had a Hindu temple at one end, two ablution ponds in front, a functional natural water spring and several decrepit residential homes; or maybe they were pilgrims worship chambers.

The ledge on which this ascetic retreat was nestled was a total of 300 meters square. The spring water was flowing down over the ledge down into the canyon floor.

According to a local account, a Baisakhi gathering was held here before Partition, and the surrounding open ground accommodated visiting pilgrims. This remains oral history and would benefit from further documentation.

When the British left, all the non-Muslims Sikh and Hindus of the area left too and we had another abandoned ascetic retreat like historic Tilla Jogian.

The view from Nursing Phuwaar of the Soon Sakesar Mountains and canyons is breathtaking.

After exploring Nursing Phuwaar, we climbed towards our vehicle and my uninvited local guide suddenly started asking about my back ground, who I knew in the woods and how easy it would be to steal my watch. I could sense trouble but I kept my cool and hurriedly reached my vehicle.

I paid my guide a certain fee and then looked him dead in the eye and said, “you tell your mischievous boys around here, if they unluckily mess with a city guy like me, I will scr*w you and them Royally” — and drove off.

My friend Mr. Dagger, that I had on me, whispered a reassuring Amen in my ears.

Nursing Phuwaar’s spring, secluded architecture and oral history make it an important but vulnerable part of the Salt Range’s religious landscape. The site needs verified directions, sensitive documentation and basic trail marking—not heavy construction.

Discover more heritage and historic places in Pakistan or continue through our Explore Pakistan guide.