Sneha Lala delighted to visit Sri Katas Raj temples

‘Through preservation, our ancestors live on’

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Acting Head of Communications at the British High Commission Sneha Lala on Monday visited the historic Sri Katas Raj temples.

“Happy Holi! I am lucky to have spent yesterday at the Katas Raj temples, and share the experience over video call with my Appa (sister) who taught me the Mahabharata as a child,” she posted on X.

Sneha Lala added: “Preserving heritage preserves culture and echoes of the past. Through preservation, our ancestors live on.”

She told Newswire: “It was a wonderful experience to see a place I’ve read about in my childhood in person!”

Sneha Lala’s poignant words resonate as a guiding light amidst the ancient stones of the Katas Raj temples in Pakistan. These structures, with their origins shrouded in the mists of time, have stood witness to the ebb and flow of centuries.

The year 2017 marked a pivotal moment when Pakistan’s Supreme Court took a decisive stand to protect the historic site. With the premises pilfered, idols missing, and the lake threatened by industrial drainage, the court intervened. It swiftly banned factories from exploiting the underground water reserves and ordered the restoration of the damaged lake, imposing hefty fines on violators.

Pakistan has granted twice-a-year access to pilgrims from India, allowing them to bask in the spiritual aura of the Katas Raj temple complex.

The preservation of such heritage sites, not just in Pakistan but across borders, is a testament to the shared cultural legacy of the subcontinent.

In 2019, Pakistan’s declaration of the Panj Tirath (Five Holy Lakes) in Peshawar as national heritage is also a step towards honoring these historical treasures.