RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has released Rs20 million to renovate Krishna Mandir in Rawalpindi city, which the local Hindu community has said should be expanded because it cannot currently accommodate worshippers on festivals and religious occasions.

Krishna Mandir is the only functioning Hindu temple in the twin cities.

There are two prayers held at the temple every day – one in the morning and one in the evening – which are attended by six or seven people.

The small temple was built by Kanji Mal and Ujagar Mal Ram Rachpal in 1897 to serve people in nearby areas. However, after partition the street temple in Saddar became the only place of worship for Rawalpindi’s Hindus.

Temple should be expanded to accommodate worshippers, say members of the Hindu community

The temple was reopened after partition in 1949; it was operated by local Hindus before being handed over to the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) in 1970. Until the 1980s, even diplomats living in Islamabad visited the temple to pray.

ETPB Deputy Administrator Mohammad Asif told Dawn that the government has released funds to reconstruct the temple at the request of an MPA.

He said reconstruction work would begin soon. A team has visited the site and pointed out a plan to start work. The main room where idols are kept will be sealed until reconstruction ends.

Once reconstructed, the temple will be able to accommodate more people, he said. The official said the temple could accommodate the local Hindu community from the twin cities and nearby areas.

Local Hindus have said the temple’s area should be expanded.

Jag Mohan Arora said the temple courtyard, which can only accommodate 100 or so people, should be expanded, and shops next to the temple that the ETPB has leased to local traders should be retrieved to expand the front of the building.

“At present the front of the temple is very small. The ETPB should vacate nearby shops that have been rented,” Jag Mohan Arora said, adding that he had asked the ETPB to extend the temple area many times.

“Two temple shops in the custody of the EPTB must be demolished and the courtyard extended. They should also build another storey; only then can we celebrate Holi and Diwali with peace,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2018