TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi: Pakistan and other countries have requested India for assistance in restoration and conservation of some of their temples.
Pakistani Government requested technical assistance for restoration of Katasraj Temples. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Katasraj Temples are located in Chakwal districts of Pakistani Punjab. An official from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently visited the place and a detailed report has been sent to the Pakistani Government.
Similar requests for restoration of temples in their countries have been received from Sri Lanka, Lao, Cambodia, and Indonesia. Afghanistan has requested India’s help in restoration of the historic ‘Stoor Palace’ in Kabul. Stoor Palace was built hundred years ago for the King Amanula Khan. Afghanistan has requested helped beyond the palace building to help in the field of Archaeology, Archives, Monuments and Museums. An ASI team visited Afghanistan and have prepared a report on the projects to work on.
Ambika Soni, the Minister of Tourism and Culture, recently informed the Lok Sabha the list of countries that India is helping for conservation and maintenance of their historical places.
Team of experts from Archaeological Survey of India visited the following monuments / sites :
1. Pakistan: Katasraj Group of Temple in Pakistan
2. Sri Lanka: Thiru Kuteeshwaram Temple (Hindu Temple) and Mulkirigala Rajya Vihar (Buddhist Temple).
3. Lao: Wat Phou temples.
3. Afghanistan: ‘Stoor Palace’
4. Cambodia: Conservation work on Angkor Wat temple between 1986 to 1993. Work on Ta Prohm Temple Complex in progress, estimated cost 19.57 crore.
5. Indonesia: Prambanan Temple Complex which suffered damage in May 2006 earthquake.