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| India wants a permanent priest | | Katasraj temple of Pakistani Punjab | | BL KAK
NEW DELHI, FEB 20
India's new plea in relation to the renovated Katasraj temple complex in Pakistani Punjab province: Pakistan should appoint a permanent Pandit (priest) to take care of the complex and organise prayers.
Sardari Lal Gosvami, the secretary general of the Temple Council of India, and the leader of Indian delegation which has already offered prayers at the Katasraj temple on the invitation of Pakistan government, was reported to have told told newsmen in Lahore that efforts are underway to bring a Pandit from India on permanent basis. He said that the only problem they face is about securing a long-term visa for the Pandit.
Gosvami was also reported to have said that the other option they are considering is to send Pandits every year or on monthly or bimonthly basis. For the first time in the post-partition history of the subcontinent, the Pakistan government had arranged the prayers at the Katasraj temple during the Shivratri festival after starting the rehabilitation work of the temples and the other historic buildings around them.
The prayers were attended by 176 Hindus from India in 14 groups. According to Sardari Lal Gosvami, the Pakistani Hindus are very happy at the restoration and rehabilitation work done at the Katasraj temple. The Indian pilgrims returned to Lahore on Saturday night after performing two-day rituals at the temple. The Katasraj temple site is among the most sacred Hindu shrines.
The departure of 176 Hindu pilgrims from India who reached Lahore last week to perform religious rites at the Katasraj temple and were scheduled to leave for India through Shamjhouta Express on Monday, was put off due to security reasons by the railways authorities and would now be sent through the Wagah Border route on February 21. |
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