Mani Majra
Manimajra, is a significant residential and commercial hub in Chandigarh. Reconstituted in February 2020, it bridges the city’s historical princely roots with its modern industrial expansion'''.'''
History
The town was founded in 1515 by Mani Ram Dhillon, a Zamindar under the Lodhi Dynasty. By the 18th century, his descendent Gangaram Singh Dhillon governed Manimajra and 84 surrounding villages as a Mughal vassal. Following the decline of Mughal authority, Gangaram’s son, Gharib Dass Dhillon, established the independent Manimajra State. Despite early conflicts with the Raja of Nahan, Gharib Dass expanded his territory, seizing Pinjore and establishing the Manimajra Fort as his capital.Upon his death in 1783, his son Raja Gopal Singh took over, eventually receiving the title of Raja from the British in 1814 for his service in the Gurkha campaign. Gopal Singh is notably responsible for building the Mansa Devi Temple. The dynasty continued through Raja Goverdhan Singh and Raja Gurbaksh Singh, ending with Raja Bhagwan Singh, who died without a male heir in 1866. Consequently, the British annexed the state, and the fort later passed to the Raja of Faridkot through marriage.
In the 20th century, the town was led by Sardar Ajit Singh Dhillon, who is credited with protecting local Muslim families during the 1947 Partition. The area also saw migration from the Ranas of Kuthar, who became major landowners. Today, the historical legacy survives through the 500-year-old Shiv Temple and the Manimajra Fort, which recently served as a filming location for the movie Zero Dark Thirty.
Manimajra Shiv Temple and Thakurdwara is 500 to 600 years old, and was built by the rulers of the area. Shiv temple has Shiva as the main deity and Thakurdwara has Rama, Sita, and Hanuman as chief deities.