Jump to content

Mansehra Shiva Temple

Coordinates: 34°23′51.5″N 73°13′07.3″E / 34.397639°N 73.218694°E / 34.397639; 73.218694
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mansehra Shiv temple
2000 year old Shivlinga in the Mansehra shiv temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictMansehra district
DeityShiva
FestivalsShivaratri
Location
StateKhyber Pakhtunkhwa
CountryPakistan Pakistan
Mansehra Shiva Temple is located in Pakistan
Mansehra Shiva Temple
Shown within Pakistan
Mansehra Shiva Temple is located in Pakistan
Mansehra Shiva Temple
Mansehra Shiva Temple (Pakistan)
Mansehra Shiva Temple is located in Asia
Mansehra Shiva Temple
Mansehra Shiva Temple (Asia)
Geographic coordinates34°23′51.5″N 73°13′07.3″E / 34.397639°N 73.218694°E / 34.397639; 73.218694
Architecture
Completed2000-3000 years old (reconstructed in 1830s)
Temple(s)1

Mansehra Shiv Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temple in Pakistan that is still in existence. The temple is at least 2000[1] to 3000 years old.[2] The temple is situated in Chitti Gatti, 15 kilometres from Mansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan.[2] The annual Shivarathri festival in the temple is visited by people all around Pakistan and from abroad.[1]

History

[edit]

According to the archaeological research there existed Hindu temples on the site where now the temple stands and the ancient Shiva Lingam inside the temple is very ancient and is at least 2000 years old.[3] The temple was restored in the 1830s by the Raja of Jammu as an act of devotion.[4] During the 1947–48, the temple was forcibly seized by some people and started occupying illegally. They also sealed up the temple on this site.[1]

From 1948 to 2008, the temple remained sealed and abandoned.[1] The temple remained inaccessible to the Hindus till 1998. In 1998, Hindus reclaimed the temple. After that, the temple has been partially restored by the Pakistani Hindus.[5]

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Pakistan prepares to hold a major Hindu festival Maha Shivaratri". Asia. Gulf News. TNN. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Mansehra's Shiv temple". Fridaytimes. TNN. 14 August 2014. Archived from the original on 1 November 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  3. ^ Report on Antiquities of the Mansehra Region, based on Joint Research by UNESCO and the Hazara University, Dhodial-Mansehra Campus, 2007
  4. ^ Hazara District Gazetteer 1883-84, Lahore: Govt of the Punjab, 1884, p. 179
  5. ^ "When faith won over 'hate of partition': The story of two Shiva temples in Pakistan". Zeenews. TNN. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2020.