ISLAMABAD: The management of the ancient Katas Raj temple complex, being restored jointly by Pakistan and India, has been transferred to the Punjab Archaeology Department (PAD).
A new administrative body would be set up for the Hindu temple, located in Chakwal district of Punjab province, in a month and be allocated a budget of Rs 2 crore for restoration work, the Daily Times quoted PAD Director General Oriya Maqbool Jan as saying in a report from Lahore.
This is part of the larger process wherein the federal government is transferring the charge of historical sites and monuments, including the Lahore Fort and the mausoleum of 17th century Mughal emperor Jehangir, to the PAD. The Katas Raj temple complex, which has fallen into disrepair, had parts of it cemented over prior to the Pakistan visit last year by LK Advani.
One of the temples had even been converted into a library. According to Jan, the PAD had improved the condition of the temples considerably. The temple complex is located on a hill six kilometres from Choa Saidan Shah in Chakwal district. It finds mention in the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
