Ammara Ahmad: Pakistan’s Katas Raj temples fall into neglect again

By Dilip -
It was a bright afternoon this December — the sun was more than welcome. Slowly, the Buddhist stupas of Katas Raj appeared on the horizon, miles before the rest of the Hindu-Buddhist temple complex. The very first sight of the stupas excited me. Emperor Ashoka had apparently seen them. Buddhist monks and travelers from ancient China had paid their respects. Al Biruni, the astronomer and polymath had also been there. Guru Nanak had visited them. And so must have some of my ancestors.

Today’s neglect of Katas Raj seems symbolic of spirituality’s fate in what is now Pakistan. Located on the Potohar Plateau, just two hours from Islamabad, this was once a prestigious and enchanting spot but is now desolate and empty — empty of both deities and pilgrims. The ancient temples have existed for many centuries; some were first made even before the birth of Christ.As a student in school or even college, I had no idea that Pakistan had Hindu temples of any historical significance. I became increasingly conscious of this heritage, thanks to some friends and journalists.

The Katas Raj temples are majestic. They are the stuff folklore are made of. The sacred structures are built of old stones, huddled around an emerald pond of clean water, fuelled by the mountain springs close by. Most Pakistanis should feel fortunate to have this gem amongst us. It was a place of worship and pilgrimage for locals for millennia and is now again being revived, although halfheartedly.


Most Pakistanis remain unaware. A few who know about them do visit as a tourist spot. School children come, as do groups of young men and women, but the magical touch of a living place of worship with actual supplicants is missing. The majority of Pakistan’s Hindu population lives in faraway Sindh, or smaller pockets in the north-west. Most Sikhs also live in these areas. Baisakhi and Shivratri festivals are organised here but called off when the security situation becomes a challenge... read more:
http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/pakistan-katas-raj-temples-fall-into-neglect-again-after-2005-lk-advani-visit-5013654/


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