Hindu temple in Pakistan to celebrate Shivratri
Jan 31, 2007 - 7:40:55 PM
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In the coming years a large number of Hindus could get visas, he added, giving details of the discussion he had with the Pakistani government and the archaeological team.
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By IANS,
[RxPG] New Delhi, Jan 31 - For the first time in Pakistan's history, the historic Hindu temple of Katasraj near Lahore will witness celebrations of Shivratri Feb 16, visiting Pakistani officials said here Wednesday.
'Pakistan's archaeological team that visited India told us that the Katasraj temple will have Shivratri celebrations on Feb 16,' said Bharatiya Janata Party - national executive member Balbir Punj.
A three-member high-level team of Pakistan's Archaeological Directorate led by its Director General Orya Maqbool Jan Abbasi Wednesday evening returned to Lahore after a 10-day trip.
Before wrapping up the visit, the archaeologists met senior BJP leader L.K. Advani and told him about Shivratri celebration plans, according to Punj, a former Rajya Sabha member.
The Katasraj temple in Chakwal district of Punjab is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed to be dating back to ancient times and the Pandava brothers, according to the epic Mahabharata, spent a part of their exile there.
Pakistan has been restoring the temple complex that Advani had visited as a state guest in 2004.
Pakistan had invited a team of experts from the Archaeological Survey of India to study and advise it on the restoration work. After the Indian experts submitted a comprehensive report to Pakistan, the team of Pakistani experts visited India for further studies.
The restoration exercise is expected to take some three years to complete.
A group of Hindu pilgrims are likely to be invited to visit the Katasraj temple for the Shivratri celebrations, said Punj.
In the coming years a large number of Hindus could get visas, he added, giving details of the discussion he had with the Pakistani government and the archaeological team.
Before the partition of the subcontinent, the temple used to have Shivratri worship and celebrations in a big way. The tradition, however, came to an end after the creation of Pakistan in 1947 as most Hindus in the locality migrated to India, said Punj.
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