Islamabad : A 1,000-year old Hindu temple in Pakistan’s Sialkot has been re-opened which was sealed for the last 72 years. The temple has been opened on the demand of the local Hindu community, officials said on Monday.
Shawala Teja Singh Temple built by Sardar Teja Singh was closed during partition. The Hindu stopped visiting the temple after a mob damaged it in 1992 while protesting against the demolition of Babri Mosque in India.
Evacuee Trust Property Board Deputy Director Fraz Abbas told PTI that the restoration work of this temple is still underway and the board is expected to complete it shortly.
“The temple has been opened for worship for the first time since partition. Some 2,000 Hindus are residing in this locality and they are so happy to visit their centuries-old worship place. Now a good number of local Hindus are visiting it. Hindus from other parts of the country are also expected to visit this temple,” he said.
The Samaa news reported that the step was taken on the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The government also said that the work to preserve and restore the temple will start soon.
Majority of Pakistan’s Hindu population is settled in Sindh province where they share culture, traditions and language with their Muslim fellows.
