Source: Dawn
CHAKWAL, Nov 4: After being restored to life, the pond at Katas Temple greeted the first flock of Hindu pilgrims.
The sacred pond was specially showered with rose petals as pilgrims drank its water and filled bottles to take home.
The pond had dried up in summer however the Punjab government took immediate steps to revive it.
On Saturday, as many as 115 Hindu pilgrims came from different cities of the country to visit the site.
The trip was facilitated by the Punjab government.
An official ceremony was held where Secretary Environment Protection Department (EPD) Saeed Iqbal Wahlah was the chief guest.
Director-General (DG) Punjab Archaeology Department Dr Ismat Tahira, Deputy Director Maqsood Malik, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Ahmad Aziz Tarar, Assistant Commissioner Choa Saidan Shah Abid Hussain Bhatti, President of Hindu Sudhar Sabha Amarnath Randhawa, Pandat Deep Chand and other officers concerned and leaders of the Hindu community were present on the occasion.
While briefing the audiences, Secretary EPD Saeed Iqbal Wahlah, who is also the focal person of the Katas Raj Conservation Committee, said the Punjab government took steps on war-footing to revive the holy pond.
“It is the responsibility of the Punjab government to protect sacred sites of minorities as they are equal citizens of the country,” he said, adding that the government had done its duty with full devotion and dedication.
“We brought you here so that you could witness our work,” he said.
He further informed that Rs609.19 million had been spent on the renovation process.
Categories: Asia, Hinduism, Hinduism, Pakistan, Pakistan Inter-Faith