01-17-2007, 02:04 AM
Dated article on The Katasraj temple in Jhelum, Pakistan
Link: http://www.indiafirstfoundation.org/archiv...ptember0405.htm
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Revival of a Heritage
Balbir K. Punj
Â
Restoration of Katasraj in pakistan can be a great begining
Pakistan is no Egypt or Indonesia that cherishes its pre- Islamic legacy. Even to remember its Hindu heritage might threaten its Islamic identity. Pakistan acts iconoclastic to prove its credentials to Arabs amongst whom Islam originated.
Such thoughts passed my mind as I gazed at the dilapidated buildings which, a little more than half a century ago, were thriving temples believed to be of Mahabharata vintage. The legend of Katasraj was the family lore I had grown up with. And here I was, trying to connect its present misery with tales of its grandeur in the pre-Partition past. The haunted structure bore no resemblance to the image I had nurtured all these decades, after hearing colourful accounts of the pilgrimage my grandparents had made.
<b>Until 1947, Katasraj hosted the largest Hindu fair in undivided Punjab. But that bubbling and vibrant temple complex now has no idols, no doors and windows. Temple bells no longer chime and there are no pilgrims. Nestling in the ruins is the haveli of Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa, the residence of the legendary commander- in-chief of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Khalsa army, whose name struck terror in the heart of invading Afghans.</b>
<b>The only redeeming feature is the holy pond, fabled to have originated from the tears of Lord Siva who wept inconsolably at the death of his wife, Sati. This is also where the question- answer session took place between the celestial guard Yaksha and the eldest Pandava, Yudhistira.</b> For the local administration, it is just a perennial source of fresh and healthy water, which is supplied to the urban population.
Religious and cultural freedom gained by the Hindus and Sikhs during Maharaja.Ranjit Singh's regime continued throughout the British period. <b>Katasraj, despite suffering the ravages of iconoclasm, had not ceased to be a pilgrimage. A big fair was held in July-August. But it fell into desolation once Hindus were expelled from West Punjab during Partition. Pilgrims could not go to Katasraj until 1983. Even then, they faced hurdles and discrimination. Then, in 1999, Pakistan withdrew permission for visiting Katasraj. </b>
Most of the Hindu temples in Pakistan were never opened after Partition. The Jain temple of Lahore is rotting under lock and key while a madrasa operates in its compound. <b>The fair held at Veer Hakikat Rai's memorial is still popular with the small Hindu population of Pakistan, but the condition of the memorial is deplorable.</b> The 'Indian High Commission in Islamabad issues 1,500 visas to Muslims every day but Pakistan issues visa only to 200 Hindu pilgrims, annually.
A youth hostel has materialised near Katasraj temple. <b>While the encroachments that have come up in the past 50 years remain undisturbed, the area was spruced up on the eve of BJP president L.K. Advani's visit. During his visit, Pakistan announced Rs 2 crore for the first phase of the renovation plan. It was in this context that Advani reminded the Pakistanis about MohammedAli Jinnah's speech in Pakistan's Constituent Assembly on August II, 1947, in which he had said that the new state would treat Hindus and Muslims as equals.</b>
After a gap of 57 years, Pakistan was taking its first step towards that direction. I am sure the Jinnah controversy, in the wake of Advani's visit, will not merit even a footnote in the history of Indo-Pak relations. <b>But if the Katasraj temple project reaches its logical end and the trend is repeat ed in other historical temples, the visit will indeed be a path-breaking one on the subcontinent.</b>
Opinion is divided in Pakistan on the restoration of Katasraj temple. There is a section that believes pre- Islamic heritage is an integral part of Pakistan. Another realises the tourist potential of Katasraj. A silent majority is, however, completely indifferent to these 'cosmetic changes'. To them, no matter what you do, the relations between Pakistan and India will remain tense.
<b>There is a fourth section that is against the renovation of Katasraj, for it would mean unraveling the vision of Pakistan. Their fear is that Pakistan was created as a land of puritan Islam and once Katasraj is renovated, there could be demands for renovating other temples. Hindus would visit Pakistan in hordes and contaminate the mind of Muslims. </b>
Katasraj is a part of a universal heritage. Whatever might be the motive behind Pakistan's latest move, we need to welcome it. There is no it can be renovated except under the aegis of the Pakistan government. I hope Pakistan is honest about its intentions. But it surely doesn't have the necessary wherewithal or expertise to execute the project. The temple complex will need much more than financial allocation, to rediscover and rejuvenate itself while retaining its soul.
This is where India can play a positive role. India extended technical expertise in restoration of Cambodia's 1,OOO-year-old Angkor Vat temple complex. Why not do it for Katasraj as well?
<b>Legend of Katasraj</b>
<b>Katasraj features in the third chapter of Mahabharata.</b> It is where the five Pandava brothers came to quench their thirst. But each was smitten dead (actually senseless) by Yaksha, the celestial guard of the pond, because they failed to, or did not care, to reply to his questions. Only Yudhistira agreed to reply to 35 of his questions, of which four are legendary: Who is a Brahmin? What is the greatest wonder in the world? Which is the best path? Who is truly happy in the world?
Yudhistira replied that virtuous conduct alone make one a Brahmin while departing from it would degrade him; thousands of people are dying every day, yet every individual thinks he will never die - this is the greatest wonder; the best path is the one set by sages and savants; and a person who is neither an emigrant nor a debtor, although he eats humble food at the end of the day, is happy.
Yaksha was very happy with Yudhistira and granted him a boon. Yudhistira asked that his brother Nakula be revived. "why Nakula?" asked Yaksha. Yudhistira replied that his father Pandu, had two wives kunti and Madri. Since he was Kunti's son it would only be fair that one of Madri's son be alive. Yaksha, who was Lord of Dharma in disguise, was pleased with Yudhistira and revived all four brothers.
The writer is a BJP member of the Rajya Sabha
Courtesy: The Week, September 4, 2005
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Link: http://www.indiafirstfoundation.org/archiv...ptember0405.htm
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Revival of a Heritage
Balbir K. Punj
Â
Restoration of Katasraj in pakistan can be a great begining
Pakistan is no Egypt or Indonesia that cherishes its pre- Islamic legacy. Even to remember its Hindu heritage might threaten its Islamic identity. Pakistan acts iconoclastic to prove its credentials to Arabs amongst whom Islam originated.
Such thoughts passed my mind as I gazed at the dilapidated buildings which, a little more than half a century ago, were thriving temples believed to be of Mahabharata vintage. The legend of Katasraj was the family lore I had grown up with. And here I was, trying to connect its present misery with tales of its grandeur in the pre-Partition past. The haunted structure bore no resemblance to the image I had nurtured all these decades, after hearing colourful accounts of the pilgrimage my grandparents had made.
<b>Until 1947, Katasraj hosted the largest Hindu fair in undivided Punjab. But that bubbling and vibrant temple complex now has no idols, no doors and windows. Temple bells no longer chime and there are no pilgrims. Nestling in the ruins is the haveli of Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa, the residence of the legendary commander- in-chief of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Khalsa army, whose name struck terror in the heart of invading Afghans.</b>
<b>The only redeeming feature is the holy pond, fabled to have originated from the tears of Lord Siva who wept inconsolably at the death of his wife, Sati. This is also where the question- answer session took place between the celestial guard Yaksha and the eldest Pandava, Yudhistira.</b> For the local administration, it is just a perennial source of fresh and healthy water, which is supplied to the urban population.
Religious and cultural freedom gained by the Hindus and Sikhs during Maharaja.Ranjit Singh's regime continued throughout the British period. <b>Katasraj, despite suffering the ravages of iconoclasm, had not ceased to be a pilgrimage. A big fair was held in July-August. But it fell into desolation once Hindus were expelled from West Punjab during Partition. Pilgrims could not go to Katasraj until 1983. Even then, they faced hurdles and discrimination. Then, in 1999, Pakistan withdrew permission for visiting Katasraj. </b>
Most of the Hindu temples in Pakistan were never opened after Partition. The Jain temple of Lahore is rotting under lock and key while a madrasa operates in its compound. <b>The fair held at Veer Hakikat Rai's memorial is still popular with the small Hindu population of Pakistan, but the condition of the memorial is deplorable.</b> The 'Indian High Commission in Islamabad issues 1,500 visas to Muslims every day but Pakistan issues visa only to 200 Hindu pilgrims, annually.
A youth hostel has materialised near Katasraj temple. <b>While the encroachments that have come up in the past 50 years remain undisturbed, the area was spruced up on the eve of BJP president L.K. Advani's visit. During his visit, Pakistan announced Rs 2 crore for the first phase of the renovation plan. It was in this context that Advani reminded the Pakistanis about MohammedAli Jinnah's speech in Pakistan's Constituent Assembly on August II, 1947, in which he had said that the new state would treat Hindus and Muslims as equals.</b>
After a gap of 57 years, Pakistan was taking its first step towards that direction. I am sure the Jinnah controversy, in the wake of Advani's visit, will not merit even a footnote in the history of Indo-Pak relations. <b>But if the Katasraj temple project reaches its logical end and the trend is repeat ed in other historical temples, the visit will indeed be a path-breaking one on the subcontinent.</b>
Opinion is divided in Pakistan on the restoration of Katasraj temple. There is a section that believes pre- Islamic heritage is an integral part of Pakistan. Another realises the tourist potential of Katasraj. A silent majority is, however, completely indifferent to these 'cosmetic changes'. To them, no matter what you do, the relations between Pakistan and India will remain tense.
<b>There is a fourth section that is against the renovation of Katasraj, for it would mean unraveling the vision of Pakistan. Their fear is that Pakistan was created as a land of puritan Islam and once Katasraj is renovated, there could be demands for renovating other temples. Hindus would visit Pakistan in hordes and contaminate the mind of Muslims. </b>
Katasraj is a part of a universal heritage. Whatever might be the motive behind Pakistan's latest move, we need to welcome it. There is no it can be renovated except under the aegis of the Pakistan government. I hope Pakistan is honest about its intentions. But it surely doesn't have the necessary wherewithal or expertise to execute the project. The temple complex will need much more than financial allocation, to rediscover and rejuvenate itself while retaining its soul.
This is where India can play a positive role. India extended technical expertise in restoration of Cambodia's 1,OOO-year-old Angkor Vat temple complex. Why not do it for Katasraj as well?
<b>Legend of Katasraj</b>
<b>Katasraj features in the third chapter of Mahabharata.</b> It is where the five Pandava brothers came to quench their thirst. But each was smitten dead (actually senseless) by Yaksha, the celestial guard of the pond, because they failed to, or did not care, to reply to his questions. Only Yudhistira agreed to reply to 35 of his questions, of which four are legendary: Who is a Brahmin? What is the greatest wonder in the world? Which is the best path? Who is truly happy in the world?
Yudhistira replied that virtuous conduct alone make one a Brahmin while departing from it would degrade him; thousands of people are dying every day, yet every individual thinks he will never die - this is the greatest wonder; the best path is the one set by sages and savants; and a person who is neither an emigrant nor a debtor, although he eats humble food at the end of the day, is happy.
Yaksha was very happy with Yudhistira and granted him a boon. Yudhistira asked that his brother Nakula be revived. "why Nakula?" asked Yaksha. Yudhistira replied that his father Pandu, had two wives kunti and Madri. Since he was Kunti's son it would only be fair that one of Madri's son be alive. Yaksha, who was Lord of Dharma in disguise, was pleased with Yudhistira and revived all four brothers.
The writer is a BJP member of the Rajya Sabha
Courtesy: The Week, September 4, 2005
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->