08-26-2005, 04:06 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--> <b>Now Indian help for Pakistan temple complex </b>
Mandira Nayar
http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/26/images/2...090101.jpg
AGELESS WONDER: <i>The ancient Katas Raj temple complex was one of the highlights of Bharatiya Janata Party leader L. K. Advani's visit to Pakistan not long ago. -</i>
NEW DELHI: : In a bid to keep alive common heritage, the Archaeological Survey of India is reaching across the border to lend a helping hand to preserve the ancient Katas Raj temple complex in Pakistan.
"We are sending a senior officer to Pakistan on an exploratory visit next month so that he can talk to his Pakistani counterparts to understand the scope of the project," says the Director-General of ASI, C. Babu Rajeev. "The Ministry of External Affairs had asked us to send someone to Pakistan to study the temple. But we still have to figure out what the Pakistan Government expects from what kind of support we can offer.''
Located some 40 km from the modern city of Chakwal in Pakistan, the Katas Raj temple complex dates back to the Mahabharata era. The focus of many stories about the Pandavas spending time there during their long exile, the lake in the complex -- which is believed to have magical powers -- is where Yudhishtar defeated the Yaksha with his wisdom to bring his brothers back to life. "After our visit to the temple complex we will be in a better position to understand the scope of our involvement in the project. It all depends on what our Pakistani counterparts want. In Cambodia, for example, we are also funding part of the Angkor Vat project apart from looking after its conservation. But in this project, we don't know what we will do or the extent of our involvement,'' the ASI Chief adds.
A perfect example of common bonds of myths and legends that blur boundaries, the Katas Raj complex was also on the itinerary of Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani when he visited Pakistan not long ago.
The temple complex is also on the priority list of the Evacuee Trust Property Board for conservation, and the Board is likely to nominate it for World Heritage Site status.
A rare occasion that the Pakistan and Indian sides are bridging the historic divide to try and collaborate on a monument, it will be a big step if a concrete plan of action is finally drawn up involving experts from both countries.
An important achievement for the conservation movement, it will certainly go a long way in preserving common legacy. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Mandira Nayar
http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/26/images/2...090101.jpg
AGELESS WONDER: <i>The ancient Katas Raj temple complex was one of the highlights of Bharatiya Janata Party leader L. K. Advani's visit to Pakistan not long ago. -</i>
NEW DELHI: : In a bid to keep alive common heritage, the Archaeological Survey of India is reaching across the border to lend a helping hand to preserve the ancient Katas Raj temple complex in Pakistan.
"We are sending a senior officer to Pakistan on an exploratory visit next month so that he can talk to his Pakistani counterparts to understand the scope of the project," says the Director-General of ASI, C. Babu Rajeev. "The Ministry of External Affairs had asked us to send someone to Pakistan to study the temple. But we still have to figure out what the Pakistan Government expects from what kind of support we can offer.''
Located some 40 km from the modern city of Chakwal in Pakistan, the Katas Raj temple complex dates back to the Mahabharata era. The focus of many stories about the Pandavas spending time there during their long exile, the lake in the complex -- which is believed to have magical powers -- is where Yudhishtar defeated the Yaksha with his wisdom to bring his brothers back to life. "After our visit to the temple complex we will be in a better position to understand the scope of our involvement in the project. It all depends on what our Pakistani counterparts want. In Cambodia, for example, we are also funding part of the Angkor Vat project apart from looking after its conservation. But in this project, we don't know what we will do or the extent of our involvement,'' the ASI Chief adds.
A perfect example of common bonds of myths and legends that blur boundaries, the Katas Raj complex was also on the itinerary of Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani when he visited Pakistan not long ago.
The temple complex is also on the priority list of the Evacuee Trust Property Board for conservation, and the Board is likely to nominate it for World Heritage Site status.
A rare occasion that the Pakistan and Indian sides are bridging the historic divide to try and collaborate on a monument, it will be a big step if a concrete plan of action is finally drawn up involving experts from both countries.
An important achievement for the conservation movement, it will certainly go a long way in preserving common legacy. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->