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Author: Hina Farooq
Publication: Daily Times
Date: January 20, 2007
URL: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C01%5C20%5Cstory_20-1-2007_pg13_8
* Archaeology Department plans to bring idols
from India
* Three-member delegation leaving today
The Punjab government will import idols of Hindu gods from various monuments in India to Pakistan for the restoration of the historic Katas Raj temples, Oriya Maqbool Jan, director general of the Punjab Archaeology Department, said on Friday.
The Katas site houses the Satgarha, a group of seven ancient temples, remains of a Buddhist stupa, a few medieval temples, havelis and some recently constructed temples, scattered around a pond considered holy by Hindus. The government has decided to place idols of Hindu gods in the seven temples and to restore them into their original state to attract visitors.
A three-member archeological team is set to leave for India today (Saturday) on an official visit, Jan said. He said the team would visit various archaeological sites in India and collect idols of Hindu gods. Jan will head the team which includes two archaeology experts. The team will visit various historical sites in India such as the Taj Mahal, Agra; Fatehpur Sikri, Ajmer Sharif; Pushkar, Aurangabad; Daultabad; Ajanta; Varanasi between January 20 and 30.
Jan said the main purpose of this tour would be gathering information about the gods, their rituals and decoration of their temples, which would be completed in February. He said pictures and idols of the gods would be bought from India and designers would be hired to prepare replicas.
Jan said the project for the conservation of the Katas temples and stupas would be completed in February. The total budget allocated for the project is Rs 51.06 million, he added.
Most of these temples were erected during the reign of the Hindu Shahias. The earliest of the Katas Raj temples date back to the later half of the sixth century AD. The temples at Katas are mostly constructed on square platforms with cantoned corner pilasters. The sub shrines' elevation seems to form a series of cornices with small rows of pillars, crowned by a ribbed dome.
The Ramachandra temple is situated to the east of the Hari Singh Haveli and is closed from all sides except an entrance on the east. The double-strayed structure has eight rooms of various dimensions on the ground floor and a staircase at the south leading to the first floor. The temple has two jharokas that have been severely damaged.
The Hanuman temple is on the western extreme of a high rectangular enclosure with entrances on the south and the north. The temple's ceiling is undecorated, and lime-plastered.
The Shiva temple is also built on a square platform. Its entrance is a recessed round arch with faint cusps and a rectangular opening to the north.
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