Mapping the Historic Hindu Temples in Pak

by Guest Tue Aug 05, 2014 12:16 pm

This was only one of the nearly 40 sites that Abbasi and Aijaz visited as a part of a year-long project, chronicling the historic temples of Pakistan. Many of these sites, like the Hinglaj temple of the Baloch province, are important pilgrimage centres. "The history is unbelievable. It is supposed to serve as a glue for people of different faiths living together. The Balochis respect and protect the temple and call it the Nani (grandmother) mandir. It is a shared legacy that needs to be preserved," says Abbasi, who has chronicled the temples in her book "Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience". The picture-intensive book takes one through the history and present-day condition of these temples, and even features professional idol sculptors.

Among the oldest that the Karachi-based journalist and writer visited was the Katas Raj temple complex in Chakwal district of Punjab. Dedicated to Shiva, the earliest of the temples is said to date back to 6th century AD. In the Mahabharata, the Pandava brothers are fabled to have spent a part of their exile in the temple for which BJP leader LK Advani had inaugurated restoration work in 2005.

Abbasi also visited a temple in Mansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, even as a war raged against the Taliban. "The Shivala temple in Mansehra is closer to the Taliban territory. That temple saw a turnout in the thousands from Pakistan, India and Nepal for Mahashivratri last year," says Abbasi, who is from Karachi.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Mapping-temples-in-Pakistan/articleshow/39106827.cms?intenttarget=no

by Guest Tue Aug 05, 2014 12:20 pm

It would be great if Vakavaka and Marathadi Saamiyaar plan a trip together to visit these historic temples. They can then write a book about their experiences and adventures.

Hitskin.com

Mapping the Historic Hindu Temples in Pak

Mapping the Historic Hindu Temples in Pak

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