07-15-2009, 08:13 AM
<b>The messy state of the Hindu temples in Pakistan</b>
Tuesday 7 July 2009
Of the 300 Hindu temples that Pakistan inherited in 1947 at the time of partition, hardly three dozen have managed to survive,many of whom are in ruins and set to disappear with the passage oftime if due attention is not paid to their maintenance.
Following the demolition of the historic Babri Mosque in India in 1992 by Hindu extremists, <b>over 200 Hindu temples were destroyed across Pakistan by angry Muslims</b>. Many of the Hindus living in Sindh and North West Frontier Province lost their homes as the largest outward migration of the Hindu community since Partition took place during these years. But despite all that, <b>Hindus still exist in Pakistan,numbering more than 2 million. The Hindu population is largest in theSindh province followed by the North West Frontier Province of the country, but there are Hindu communities dotted all over Pakistan who continue to suffer constant threats against their security, property and lives by extremist Muslims.</b>
<b>
Together with the apathy of the general public, the Hindus of Pakistan remain a forgotten and voiceless people who have to live a low profile existence and have to put up with many insults to their honour and dignity, without any safeguards. The Pakistani authorities rarely intervene to help their Hindu nationals, despite the fact that there are frequent reports of the kidnapping of Hindu women and children and looting of Hindu property, besides other forms of discrimination and persecution.</b>
As things stand, most Hindu temples in Pakistan are non-existent while idols in many ancient temples of historical importance are missing.The famous Temples at Katas, near Kalar Kahar, are in a dilapidated condition and require renovation. This is despite the fact that Pakistan had been already signed an agreement with India to restore the Katas temples. The temples had been falling into disrepair, and parts of them had been cemented before Indian leader L K Advaniâs 2005 tour to Pakistan.
One of the Katas temples in Pakistan had even been converted into a library, though Katas is sacred to Hindus.
The Katas Raj temples are located on a hill six kilometres from ChoaSaidan Shah of the Chakwal district of Pakistanâs Punjab province.Katas is mentioned in the Mahabharata, one of the three major ancient Sanskrit epics of India. According to the Hindu religious belief, both Katas and Paskar (Ajmer) are the eyes of Shiva, one of their gods.Paras Nath Jogi drew his last breath on Katas which also holds great historical significance, being the place where renowned Muslim scientist Alberuni attempted to measure the circumference of the Earth, studied Sanskrit and wrote his âKitab-ul Hindâ.
Similarly, the Doodhwali Mata Mandir and the Sheetla Mandir in Lahore,the aapital of the Pakistani Punjab province, built before theinvasion of Alexander, are in dilapidated condition. The ancient idols at these temples have either been looted or are missing and the government has denied permission to install new ones in place of these. The Sheetla Mandir at Lahore, built before the invasion of Alexander, has seen many of its precious idols either looted or handed over to archaeological department. The Doodhwali Mata Mandir betweenthe Shah Almi and Lahori Gate in Lahore has somehow managed to survivein its dilapidated sanctum sanctorum.
The famous Parahlad Mandir and Jain Mandir near Anarkali in Lahore,which were largely damaged by fanatic Muslims after the demolition ofBabri Mosque in India in 1992, have been locked and an Islamic schoolis being run in its compound. Bhagat Hakikat Raiâs Samadhi in Lahore, where a fair used to be held every Basant day is also in a bad shape.However, the <b>Pakistan government is not allowing local Hindus to lookafter their desolate temples on the pattern of Sikh gurdwaras, for unknown reasons.</b>
amir.mir1969@gmail.com
http://www.metransparent.com/spip.php?page...le=7551&lang=en
Tuesday 7 July 2009
Of the 300 Hindu temples that Pakistan inherited in 1947 at the time of partition, hardly three dozen have managed to survive,many of whom are in ruins and set to disappear with the passage oftime if due attention is not paid to their maintenance.
Following the demolition of the historic Babri Mosque in India in 1992 by Hindu extremists, <b>over 200 Hindu temples were destroyed across Pakistan by angry Muslims</b>. Many of the Hindus living in Sindh and North West Frontier Province lost their homes as the largest outward migration of the Hindu community since Partition took place during these years. But despite all that, <b>Hindus still exist in Pakistan,numbering more than 2 million. The Hindu population is largest in theSindh province followed by the North West Frontier Province of the country, but there are Hindu communities dotted all over Pakistan who continue to suffer constant threats against their security, property and lives by extremist Muslims.</b>
<b>
Together with the apathy of the general public, the Hindus of Pakistan remain a forgotten and voiceless people who have to live a low profile existence and have to put up with many insults to their honour and dignity, without any safeguards. The Pakistani authorities rarely intervene to help their Hindu nationals, despite the fact that there are frequent reports of the kidnapping of Hindu women and children and looting of Hindu property, besides other forms of discrimination and persecution.</b>
As things stand, most Hindu temples in Pakistan are non-existent while idols in many ancient temples of historical importance are missing.The famous Temples at Katas, near Kalar Kahar, are in a dilapidated condition and require renovation. This is despite the fact that Pakistan had been already signed an agreement with India to restore the Katas temples. The temples had been falling into disrepair, and parts of them had been cemented before Indian leader L K Advaniâs 2005 tour to Pakistan.
One of the Katas temples in Pakistan had even been converted into a library, though Katas is sacred to Hindus.
The Katas Raj temples are located on a hill six kilometres from ChoaSaidan Shah of the Chakwal district of Pakistanâs Punjab province.Katas is mentioned in the Mahabharata, one of the three major ancient Sanskrit epics of India. According to the Hindu religious belief, both Katas and Paskar (Ajmer) are the eyes of Shiva, one of their gods.Paras Nath Jogi drew his last breath on Katas which also holds great historical significance, being the place where renowned Muslim scientist Alberuni attempted to measure the circumference of the Earth, studied Sanskrit and wrote his âKitab-ul Hindâ.
Similarly, the Doodhwali Mata Mandir and the Sheetla Mandir in Lahore,the aapital of the Pakistani Punjab province, built before theinvasion of Alexander, are in dilapidated condition. The ancient idols at these temples have either been looted or are missing and the government has denied permission to install new ones in place of these. The Sheetla Mandir at Lahore, built before the invasion of Alexander, has seen many of its precious idols either looted or handed over to archaeological department. The Doodhwali Mata Mandir betweenthe Shah Almi and Lahori Gate in Lahore has somehow managed to survivein its dilapidated sanctum sanctorum.
The famous Parahlad Mandir and Jain Mandir near Anarkali in Lahore,which were largely damaged by fanatic Muslims after the demolition ofBabri Mosque in India in 1992, have been locked and an Islamic schoolis being run in its compound. Bhagat Hakikat Raiâs Samadhi in Lahore, where a fair used to be held every Basant day is also in a bad shape.However, the <b>Pakistan government is not allowing local Hindus to lookafter their desolate temples on the pattern of Sikh gurdwaras, for unknown reasons.</b>
amir.mir1969@gmail.com
http://www.metransparent.com/spip.php?page...le=7551&lang=en