As things stand, most Hindu temples in Pakistan are non-existent while idols in many ancient temples of historical importance are missing.
LAHORE: Of the 300 Hindu temples that Pakistan inherited at the time of partition in 1947, hardly three dozen have managed to survive in the pre-partition period, many of whom are in ruins and set to disappear with the passage of time if due attention is not paid to their maintenance by the government.
Following the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, over 200 temples were destroyed across Pakistan. There are about 2 million Hindus in Pakistan. The Hindu population is largest in Sindh followed by the NWFP.
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 L K Advani’s 2005 tour to Pakistan. One of the Katas temples had even been converted into a library.
The Katas Raj temples are located on a hill six kilometres from Choa Saidan Shah of the Chakwal district of Punjab. Katas is mentioned in the Mahabharata. According to the religious belief, both Katas and the Paskar (Ajmer) are the eyes of Shiva. Paras Nath Jogi drew his last breath in Katas.
Katas also holds great historical significance, being the place where Alberuni attempted to measure the circumference of the Earth, studied Sanskrit and wrote his “Kitab-ul Hind”.
Similarly, the Doodhwali Mata Mandir and the Sheetla Mandir in Lahore, built before the invasion of Alexander, are in dilapidated condition. The Sheetla Mandir at Lahore, built before the invasion of Alexander, has seen many of its precious idols either looted or handed over to archeological department. The Doodhwali Mata Mandir between the Shah Almi and Lahori Gate has somehow managed to survive in 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 of Babri mosque in India, have been locked and an Islamic school is being run in the compound of the latter.
However, the government is not allowing local Hindus to look after their desolate temples on the pattern of Sikh gurdwaras, for unknown reasons.
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