Fairy lights, tears of joy mark ancient temple’s reopening

Goraknath temple welcomes worshippers after 60 years.

PESHAWAR: It was the end of a long wait for the jubilant Hindus of the city on Sunday, when octogenarian Phoolvatte cut the ribbon of the 160-year-old Goraknath temple at Gor Kattri.

The temple, located inside the archeological complex of Gor Kattri in the interior city, had been closed for the last 60 years. The opening follows years of legal wrangling, and on September 15 a two-member court bench decided that no one could stop the Hindu community from worshipping at this site.

“I am thankful to the courts and the government of Pakistan for providing us this opportunity,” Phoolvatte said while speaking to The Express Tribune.

Her euphoria was evident – she fought this legal battle, spanning more than a decade, alone.

“It is better late than never,” Phoolvatte said, adding that she has come to the site after a lapse of 11 years. “But it is good that I’ve come here with my community for worship.”

Kamla Rani, another woman present there, said earlier, they worshipped at their homes. From now on, they will come here to worship, she said.

Adorned with fairy lights, the temple brimmed with a large number of men, women and children, dressed in their finest and wearing red handkerchiefs on their heads.

At the emotional reopening, a priest smashed a coconut and Phoolvatte cut a ribbon, cheered on by a large number of devotees. She was garlanded and showered with rose petals as she entered the temple.

The temple resounded with bhajans, devotional songs, after 60 years, a spectacle that was visibly enthralling for the Hindu community. Inside, where a trident was erected, devotees offered their religious rites.

Nostalgia, appreciation

Shayam Lal, a local, said with the opening of Goraknath, the number of functional temples in Peshawar has risen to three. One more temple in the city is presently closed. He added that this place dates back to the time of Raja Ashoka.

Ram Lal, president of the Hindu Balmik Mahsaba Peshawar said this opening has doubled their joy of Diwali.

He termed the opening as a gift to the Hindu community and said this will improve the image of the Pakistan.

Samar Chand Chohan, chief patron of the Hindu Balmik Mahsaba, also appreciated the opening of Goraknath and said there were around 400 to 500 Hindu families in Peshawar.

He added that the opening coincided with Diwali, which in itself is a good omen.

For Lajwanti, however, the opening was more than nostalgic – she had taken her wedding vows at this site. “I am thinking that I am married anew today,” she said.

Gor Kattri side is an ancient Buddhist site and is associated with Buddha’s alms bowl. Right opposite the temple is a mosque.  However, on Sunday, Peshawar’s ancient past and present mingled seamlessly.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st,  2011.