LAHORE, PAKISTAN, January 28, 2004: The Archaeology Department in Pakistan’s Punjab province has begun supervision of restoration work of the famous Hindu shrine of Ketas, which is located between Kallar Kahar and Choa Saidan Shah. The first phase of the restoration work is likely to cost US$140,000 and will be completed in the next few months, Faisal Ali, an official of department, was quoted by The News, as saying. The nearly 250-year-old shrine is an important center of pilgrimage for Hindus, who come here to bathe and pray for the well being of the community. Ketas means “weeping eye” and it is a bunch of deserted temples, shrines, bath houses and ruined fort surrounding a pool, sacred to the Hindu God Siva. Ali also confirmed that he expected at least 300 Hindu pilgrims to arrive at Ketas in February to perform their religious rituals at the shrine. The rituals, which last for three days, begin on February 18, he added.
A daily summary of world news for Hindus and non-Hindus alike