Hindu temples of Pakistan that are also visited by Muslims!

Though difficult to believe but still true, that our estranged Muslim nation and once India's part, Pakistan too has some Hindu temples. From Maa Durga to Hanuman, the country is home to several Hindu deities revered at 26 distinct spots. The country, which has less than 2% of Hindu population, has temples as old as the times of Mahabharata.Till 1947, it had around 300 temples; but most of them were demolished after the destruction of Babri Mosque in India in 1992.Even after that, the country still houses several Hindu temples and some of them are so revered that not only Hindus but even Muslims and Sikhs pay homage to them and together fight for their protection.Here we are presenting the account of some such famous Hindu temples of Pakistan:1) Hinglaj Mata Temple, BalochistanHinglaj Mata Temple is one famous ‘shakti peetha' of Goddess Sati. The cave temple is situated on the Hingol River in Balochistan and is also known as ‘Hinglaj Devi', ‘Hingula Devi' and ‘Nani Mandir'. The temple has a legend attached to it. It is said that Shiva–Sati's marriage was not acceptable to her father Prajapati Daksh. So once, when he organized a great ‘yajna', he did not invite Shiva and Sati.Furious Sati went to the ‘yajna' ceremony but was insulted there by Prajapati Daksha, along with her husband Lord Shiva. Unable to withstand this, she jumped into the ‘yajna' fire and committed suicide. Though she died after this but her corpse did not burn.The inconsolable Shiva wandered with Sati's corpse throughout the world till he met Lord Vishnu who dismembered Sati's body into 52 distinct parts. All these parts fell at different places and formed 52 varied ‘Shakti Peethas' of the world. It is said, on dismemberment of the body, Sati's head fell at this ‘Shakti Peeth' which is known as Hinglaj Temple and hence it became a renowned reverential place of Hindus.The temple is held in high esteem by Hindus and Muslims alike; where Hindus revere it as a ‘Shakti Peeth' or ‘Devi Mandir', Muslims call it ‘Nani' or ‘Bibi Nani' ka mandir. Every year in April, a four day pilgrimage is organized to the Hinglaj Mandir and several devotees of all religions and faith throng its premises. The deity is also worshipped and visited by many Hindus in India.2) Katasraj Temple, Punjab Province, PakistanThis temple belongs to the deity lord Shiva and is in the Chakwal district of Punjab in Pakistan. The temple is said to be existing since the time of Mahabharata and it is said that out of the 14 years of exile of Pandavas, they had spent around 4 years at this place only where the temple is situated today.The holy place comprises of ‘Satgraha' or seven seats of seven distinct deities in its premises and a holy pond which is said to be very deep and mystic. It is said that when Lord Shiva lost Sati, he cried so much that an entire pond was formed due to his tears.Though the temple stands in a devastated state today but the pond is highly revered. It is believed that bathing in the pond, especially on some special occasions, washes away all the sins of a person.The Katas site has several temples, ‘havelis', remains of a Buddhist Stupa and some recently constructed temples around it also.3) Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir, KarachiShri Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir located at the Soldiers Bazaar of Karachi is a 1500-year-old temple of lord Hanuman. The temple holds a great significance for the worshippers as it is the only Hanuman temple in the world where his idol is formed naturally and not man made.The eight-foot blue and white idol is known to be discovered several years ago and hence holds a great significance for people.Interestingly, this was the only temple, which survived the mass destruction of temples in the area after the Babri Masjid demolition though after that its renovation work was pulled up in 2012.