Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience

Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience makes a case for keeping ancient emblems of faith alive and for pluralism in a land of irony that has been home to multiple ancient faiths, yet stands besieged by unpalatable extremism. It aspires to enshrine the ideal of liberty. By framing an all-inclusive piety, this book sets out to ignite a discourse and the collective conscience of a nation numbed into silence, fear or the false conviction of supremacy of a singular religion; to institutionalise the fundamental right of will. Elaborately embellished with evocative photography of antiquated and exquisite Hindu shrines, opulent rituals and festivals and regional populace, the chronicle has extensive research and exceptional pilgrimage sites—Hinglaj, Katas Raj, Kalka Cave Temple, Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir, Shivala Mandir, to name a few. While vivid introductions and sweeping images present the landscape and the social fabric of a territory, the redolence of celebrations spread passion and fervour. A special section introduces the extraordinary Fakira, last of the human hands behind idols in Pakistan. Humanity is cast as the oldest of creeds and the reason for faiths. Therefore, devotion cannot be reserved for a sole Call to Prayer