Restoration of Sikh, Hindu temples resumes
The restoration of Sikh and Hindu holy sites was halted due to the pandemic but after the lull in Covid cases it has now been restarted. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The Evacuee Trust Property Board has expedited the renovation and repair of various Sikh and Hindu temples and gurdwaras.
Rehabilitation of Sikh General Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa's mansion in Katas Raj will also begin soon, while new statues have been placed in the temples as well.
The restoration of Sikh and Hindu holy sites was halted due to the pandemic but after the lull in Covid cases it has now been restarted.
Syed Faraz Abbas, Deputy Secretary of the Evacuee Trust Property Board, said that the temples spread over a large area have been cleaned and bushes have been removed from around them.
Abbas also said that the first phase of restoration of Shawala Teja Mandir has been completed with the help of Hindu Sangats and local administration of Sialkot.
Now the restoration work of the domes of the temple will begin in the second phase.
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It has been decided to hand over Gurdwara Nanak Sar, attributed to Baba Guru Nanak, in Fateh Bhandar area of Daska tehsil in Sialkot, to Sikh Sangats for restoration and decoration.
Assistant Commissioner Daska Bilal bin Abdul Latif said that they are starting a project to renovate and rehabilitate the gurdwara.
Latif said, “The Gurdwara Sahib building has been severely damaged. Now this gurdwara will be restored with the consultation of the Sikh community and with help of the Evacuee Trust Property Board.”
Imran Gondal, Deputy Secretary Shrines of the Evacuee Trust Property Board, said that there are many Hindu temples in Katas Raj and the ancient mansion of Sikh General Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa.
He said, “Repair work of this historic mansion will start soon to pay homage to this brave general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.”
Gondal added that the renovation and restoration work of Gurdwara Chowa Sahib in Jhelum is also in progress. Sardar Ranjit Nagra from the United States is also assisting in the decoration of the gurdwara.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2021.