CHAKWAL: Thursday was a charged day at Katas Raj, which witnessed a rare hustle and bustle. A unanimous and highly emotional cry for love and peace between India and Pakistan emanated amidst the Shivaratri festivities which are going on at Katas Raj, the holiest site of Hindus. The rituals will end Friday night.
As many as 157 Hindu pilgrims from India and almost 100 local Hindus got ishnan (bath) from the holy water of Amar Kund (a holy pond) to wash their sins. After which they worshiped Shiva, the Lord of the lords, on Thursday.
The mystic and historic temple complex of Katas Raj kept on reverberating with bhajans (hymns) and prayers on Wednesday night, which was termed as The Great Night of Shiva.
After worshipping and paying obeisance to Lord Shiva, the pilgrims tasted prasad (holy food), made of various kinds of sweets. Then they moved to the Amar Kund where they offered rituals. They also fetched the holy water in bottles so that their families back home could also benefit from it.
While addressing a ceremony in the honour of Indian pilgrims at Katas Raj, R. P. Bhardwaj, who is the leader of the jatha (caravan), made a passionate call for love and peace between India and Pakistan.
“Today I’m very much impressed the way the function has been organised. The love and respect that we received from you (the people of Pakistan) is unparalleled,” he said adding: “Nature does not bear any discrimination, why are we caught in the snare of discriminations.”
He urged the governments of Pakistan and India to make special arrangements for pilgrims of both countries so that they could visit the holy sites without any hurdle. “The stability and prosperity of both the countries only lies in cordial and peaceful relations,” he said.
Another leader of the Hindu pilgrims, Mr Vipan Mehta suggested the government of Pakistan to improve the facilities at Katas Raj Temples. “A priest should be appointed permanently at the temples so that the temples could remain opened throughout the year,” he said.
“My parents migrated from Pakistan after being forced by the backlashes of partition. Today I’m happy to visit my ancestral land,” he said.
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