


Help Preserve Naulakhi Kotal Temple Baghlan Afghanistan
As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Naulakhi Kotal Temple Baghlan Afghanistan belongs to all of us. Help preserve this irreplaceable treasure for future generations.
80G Tax Benefits on Every Donation
Get 100% tax deduction under Section 80G. Instant certificate, 100% transparency, secure payment.
High-resolution photography and 3D scanning create a permanent digital record. If restoration is ever needed, we have the exact specifications.
Professional conservation work including structural repairs, surface cleaning, and preventive measures to stop further deterioration.
Educational workshops, local awareness campaigns, and sustainable tourism initiatives that benefit surrounding communities.
Cultural Heritage
The Naulakhi Kotal Temple, more widely known as Surkh Kotal, served as a pivotal dynastic sanctuary for the Kushan Empire, rather than solely a conventional Hindu shrine. Its construction, famously detailed in a Bactrian inscription discovered on-site, explicitly attributes its establishment to King Kanishka and his high official, Nokonzoko, around the 2nd century CE. This monumental inscription, written in Greek script, reveals the dedication of a "Kaniska-Vihara" (sanctuary of Kanishka) and the installation of royal images, underscoring a state cult centered on the deification of Kushan rulers. The complex integrated a profound fire cult, a common feature in Central Asian and Iranian religious practices, yet presented within an architectural idiom that drew significantly from Indic temple traditions. Architecturally, the site uniquely blended Hellenistic, Iranian, and Indic elements, particularly evident in its grand staircase, monumental altar, and the layout that echoes the *garbhagriha* and *pradakshina-patha* of early Indian temples, as noted by scholars. Its strategic placement along ancient trade routes in Baghlan not only facilitated cultural exchange but also underscored its importance as a symbol of Kushan imperial power and religious authority. The temple's decline in the mid-3rd century CE, possibly exacerbated by Sasanian incursions and issues with its sophisticated water supply system, marked the end of its active role as a royal cult center, leaving behind a profound archaeological record of a vibrant, syncretic Indic-influenced civilization.
Architectural Heritage
Built in the Nagara architecture style, Kushan architecture style, Early Hindu Temple architecture style, Indic architecture style style, showcasing traditional construction methods and artistic craftsmanship.
Educational Resource
An important learning resource for students, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding our architectural heritage.
Local Benefits
Preservation efforts create opportunities for local communities through tourism, traditional skills, and cultural activities.
100% tax deduction on donations
Full financial reports published
Your donation goes directly to conservation
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Review Site Information
Learn about Naulakhi Kotal Temple Baghlan Afghanistan's historical significance, current conservation needs, and how your donation will be used for preservation efforts.
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Choose Donation Amount
Select your contribution amount. Every ₹500 helps document one heritage site. Larger donations fund restoration projects. Get 100% tax deduction under 80G.
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Receive Tax Certificate
Instant 80G tax exemption certificate emailed to you. Use this certificate while filing ITR to claim tax deductions and save money.
- 1Direct impact on Naulakhi Kotal Temple Baghlan Afghanistan preservation and conservation
- 280G tax benefits - save up to 30% through tax deductions
- 3100% transparency with detailed fund utilization reports
- 4Supports documentation, restoration, and community engagement
- 5Helps prevent deterioration of irreplaceable cultural heritage
- 6Enables future generations to experience this architectural marvel