Kabul, November 5, 2025 – A group of Hindu devotees performed Kartik Purnima puja today at the Asamai Hindu Temple in Kabul. The puja, of “Shligram Thakur”- a representation of Lord Vishnu, took place at the temple located at the foothills of Koh-e Asamai mountain, about one km from central Kabul.
The black stone idol, which the locals also call, “Panjshir Thakur Ji”, is believed to be from the Mahabharata period. It was brought to kabul from Panjshir Valley around 400 years ago. The Asamai Hindu Temple (also known as Asamai Mandir) is one of the oldest and most significant surviving Hindu worship sites in Afghanistan. The temple gets its name after Asha Mai, a local manifestation of the Hindu goddess Durga, revered as the “Goddess of Hope.” Afghan Hindus believe the goddess resides at the Asmai hilltop. The temple dates back to the Hindu Shahi dynasty and has a history of over 1,000 years. It is one of the few active Hindu sites left in Afghanistan. A sacred flame has burned inside the temple for centuries.
Today, on the auspicious full moon of Kartik Purnima, a handful of hindu worshippers gathered at the Asamai Hindu Temple for this solemn puja.
Afghanistan’s Hindu and Sikh communities , often grouped as “Hindkis” due to shared ethnic and linguistic roots, have dwindled dramatically from historical highs. While there are only a few hundreds of this community left in Afghanistan today, in the 1970s, they numbered around 700,000 (about 60% Sikhs, 40% Hindus), thriving as traders in cities like Kabul, Kandahar, and Jalalabad.
Most of the Hindus and Sikhs have left the the war ravaged country over the last few decades. India has also helped evacuate minorities since 2021. Over 500 Sikhs and Hindus have reached India on special flights. With Conservative Islamic Taliban in power, this religious minority group has faced uncertain future. Though, Public displays are restricted, Taliban officials allow private worship. Representatives from the Taliban government have also met with local community leaders assuring them of full security and protection.
During recent visit of Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi in October, several of the exiled Afghan Hindus and Sikhs had met him urging property restoration, temple repairs, security for gurdwaras/mandirs, and minority appointments. Muttaqi on his part, assured the community members of sefety and security while encouraging them to return to their homes.