INIDIAN DELEGATION VISITED KATAS RAJ
March 2016
Katas Raj is located in the salt range 18 miles South of Chakwal. Katas mandir has a historical importance for Hindus which is found in the ‘Mahabaharat” (Holy Book of Hindus). Legend has it that when Sati Wife of Lord Shiv died he cried so much and for so long that his tears created two Holy ponds- one at Pushkara at Ajmer and the other at Ketaksha (Katas Raj), which literally means “raining eyes” in Sanskirit. It is from this main reason that the word ‘Katas’ is derived. Another version of the legend mentions that there were two pools at Katas Raj and Nainital. Later temples were built around the pond and the place became a piligrim magnet.
On 5th of March 2016 a groups of 102 Indian yattrees came to Pakistan through Wagha border, to visit Katas Raj for the Shivratari Puja. On behalf of ETPB chairman Muhammad Sidique-al-Farooq, Additional Secretary Shrines Khalid Ali, deputy secretary Faraz Abbas and deputy secretary Shrines Imran Khana along with the staff member of Sir Ganga Ram Heritage Foundation welcomed the yattrees. ETPB made Hi-Tea arrangements for yattrees. SGRHF flags were displayed on reception; a medical camp was also set up for yattrees. At 3pm in the evening Yatrees departed for Dera Sahib on buses.
On 6th of March 2016 at 10am yattrees departed for the Katas Raj temple. Deputy secretary Faraz Abbas and admin officer, SGRHF’s Muhammad Ahmad accompanied them. At 4pm they were reached Katas Raj where AC of Chakwal Miss Samina welcomed the guest yattrees and presented the flowers.
On 7th March 2016 yattrees bathed in natural pond (Amarkan) and worshipped shivling and performed their Hawan Puja at Shadi Ghar Mandir. Chairman ETPB and Khalid Ali and Deputy secretary Faraz Abbas also joined them in their worship. At the end while addressing to the yattrees Sidique-al-Farooq said that Pakistan is a free country where Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Sikhs live freely and they have the freedom to practice their religion without any restriction. They also congratulate Yatrees for the bath in natural pond (Amarkan), worship of shivling and Hawan, at 12pm yattrees were given reception by ETPB. At 7 pm yattrees lit the oil lamp at Amerkan and performed their religious rituals.
On 8h March 2016 local administration of Chakwal gave reception to the yattrees AC of Chakwal Miss Samina hosted the reception and welcomed the yattrees and said that we always try to make better arrangement for the yattrees and you can witness that it’s getting better day by day. She expressed her desire that yatrees should come in large numbers. Then salt and famous sweet of Chakwal (Rewori) were given as gift to the guests. At 12pm yatrees departed for Lahore and in the evening reached Gurdawara Dera Sahib.
On 9th March 2015 Sir Ganga Ram Heritage Foundation (SGRHF) gave reception to all yattrees at ”Love Samadi” in Lahore Fort. The reception was hosted by
Dr Munawar Chand.
Syed Shaheen Hassan Senior Research officer of SGRHF welcomed the yattrees and
said that religious tourism is a great source to build peace and harmony between the two nations. It has multiple benefits; one can visit and see the new places, meet the people and make their own (practical) opinion about the people or nation and most importantly spiritual satisfaction (Swab or Puny) is the basic objective. These kinds of visits will help to reduce the hate-rate and build the peace and love among the people.
Satish Kumar Goswami leader of the Indian delegation told that he was born in the Multan city of Pakistan so Pakistan is his home country and that’s why he wants and like to come to Pakistan. He himself and on behalf of yatrees thanked Evacuee Trust Board who took care of all necessities and there was no problem of any sort.
Baba Sham Singh welcomed the yatrees and said that Englishman has played the role of separating us all, otherwise we were all living together and everyone was free to observe and follows his own religion and see that once again we are all together.
Amarnath Randhera, chairman of Pakistan Hindu Welfare Sadharsaba welcomed the yatrees and told that here we have every kind of freedom and worship freely in our Mandir.
In the last all the senior and junior group leaders and guests were presented shawls
At the end the guest was given Hi-Tea and yatrees donated 44000 Indian rupees to SGRH.
On 10th March 2016 yatrees paid visit to Krishna Mandir and performed their religious rituals and sang religious songs,Jatha leader was awarded with turban and yatrees were given shawls.SGRHF presented them books and gifts.
On 11thMarch 2016 yatrees departed for India through Wagha Border.
