06-02-2005, 10:58 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Shared heritage: Advani visits ancient temple</b>Â
Sanjay Singh/ Katasraj/Lahore
Pak seeks help for restoration--- When a fresh chapter is being written in the history of Indo-Pak ties, authorities here took an unprecedented step to invite Leader of Opposition and propounder of Hindutva Lal Krishna Advani to inaugurate the renovation and restoration work of an ancient pilgrim site, Katasraj, considered as sacred as Pushkar.
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The Pakistan archeological department urged the Indian Government to send its own experts to help the Pakistani team restore not just the site, but also conduct a survey of other Hindu centres in the area.
Following their request and the Leader of Opposition's subsequent talks with external affairs minister Natwar Singh, New Delhi has decided to send two experts from ASI to Pakistan. The winds of peace that have started blowing in the subcontinent recently saw the chairman of Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhary Sujat Hussain and the BJP president together climbing the rugged incline leading to the Hindu shrine, which lies on the salt range of Chakwal district.
<b>The seven-temple site, four of which were destroyed later, is mythologically related to Mahabharata. The Pandavas had apparently taken shelter here during their exile.</b>
The Pakistan Government ferried Mr Advani to the site in a state-owned helicopter with foolproof security and he even unveiled a plaque at the site. Almost the entire leadership of the Punjab Government was present there.Pakistan Muslim League senator Mushaid Hussain, who was also the information minister in the Nawaz Sharif Government, said, "We are aware that Mr Advani has a certain image.
But we have to look beyond the bitter memories of the past to secure a better future."
The passion with which director of archaeology AM Jaan urged the BJP leader to lend a helping hand to restore Katasraj and other temples in the adjoining
areas, including one at Malot, points to the change in the mindset of the Pakistani dispensation.
The Pakistani authorities are keen to turn this into a major Hindu pilgrimage site. This could well be the most significant people-to-people CBM as in the two
neighbouring countries, religion and politics often get entwined. This is the first time since the partition that an Indian leader has been invited to visit a Hindu pilgrimage site and asked to work jointly for its restoration.
The Punjab Government has already allocated Rs two crore for the purpose. Officials said <b>the pilgrims from across the border used to come till 1992, but following the demolition of the Babri Masjid and its fallout in Pakistan, the flow of pilgrim stopped. A portion of Katasraj was destroyed in December 1992.</b>
A marble plate at the site reads: "The place has been mentioned in Mahabharat written in 300 BC. According to Takrik-e-Hind, God Shiva wept so profusely after the death of his wife Sati that two ponds - one in Pushkar and another in Katasraj - came into being. It also explained how the Pandavas came to stay at this place and the famous dialogue Yudhistir had with Yaksha took place at the same pond. Ruins of living quarters are dedicated to the Pandavas. It also says how Al Baruni was impressed by Sanskrit on his visit to this place and subsequently went to Nalanda for further studies. An understanding of Sanskrit helped him write the Kitab-ul-Hind.
<b>Legend is that the Pandavas spent 12 of the 14 years at Katasraj.</b> While a good number of Indians will benefit from the re-discovery of this site, Pakistan will gain in goodwill and tourism.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sanjay Singh/ Katasraj/Lahore
Pak seeks help for restoration--- When a fresh chapter is being written in the history of Indo-Pak ties, authorities here took an unprecedented step to invite Leader of Opposition and propounder of Hindutva Lal Krishna Advani to inaugurate the renovation and restoration work of an ancient pilgrim site, Katasraj, considered as sacred as Pushkar.
Â
The Pakistan archeological department urged the Indian Government to send its own experts to help the Pakistani team restore not just the site, but also conduct a survey of other Hindu centres in the area.
Following their request and the Leader of Opposition's subsequent talks with external affairs minister Natwar Singh, New Delhi has decided to send two experts from ASI to Pakistan. The winds of peace that have started blowing in the subcontinent recently saw the chairman of Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhary Sujat Hussain and the BJP president together climbing the rugged incline leading to the Hindu shrine, which lies on the salt range of Chakwal district.
<b>The seven-temple site, four of which were destroyed later, is mythologically related to Mahabharata. The Pandavas had apparently taken shelter here during their exile.</b>
The Pakistan Government ferried Mr Advani to the site in a state-owned helicopter with foolproof security and he even unveiled a plaque at the site. Almost the entire leadership of the Punjab Government was present there.Pakistan Muslim League senator Mushaid Hussain, who was also the information minister in the Nawaz Sharif Government, said, "We are aware that Mr Advani has a certain image.
But we have to look beyond the bitter memories of the past to secure a better future."
The passion with which director of archaeology AM Jaan urged the BJP leader to lend a helping hand to restore Katasraj and other temples in the adjoining
areas, including one at Malot, points to the change in the mindset of the Pakistani dispensation.
The Pakistani authorities are keen to turn this into a major Hindu pilgrimage site. This could well be the most significant people-to-people CBM as in the two
neighbouring countries, religion and politics often get entwined. This is the first time since the partition that an Indian leader has been invited to visit a Hindu pilgrimage site and asked to work jointly for its restoration.
The Punjab Government has already allocated Rs two crore for the purpose. Officials said <b>the pilgrims from across the border used to come till 1992, but following the demolition of the Babri Masjid and its fallout in Pakistan, the flow of pilgrim stopped. A portion of Katasraj was destroyed in December 1992.</b>
A marble plate at the site reads: "The place has been mentioned in Mahabharat written in 300 BC. According to Takrik-e-Hind, God Shiva wept so profusely after the death of his wife Sati that two ponds - one in Pushkar and another in Katasraj - came into being. It also explained how the Pandavas came to stay at this place and the famous dialogue Yudhistir had with Yaksha took place at the same pond. Ruins of living quarters are dedicated to the Pandavas. It also says how Al Baruni was impressed by Sanskrit on his visit to this place and subsequently went to Nalanda for further studies. An understanding of Sanskrit helped him write the Kitab-ul-Hind.
<b>Legend is that the Pandavas spent 12 of the 14 years at Katasraj.</b> While a good number of Indians will benefit from the re-discovery of this site, Pakistan will gain in goodwill and tourism.
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