AMRITSAR: Notwithstanding the escalating tension between India and Pakistan , Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) on Tuesday began renovation of nearly a thousand-year-old Shivala Teja Singh in Sialkot district of Pakistan’s Punjab.

While talking to TOI Faraz Abbas, deputy secretary, Hindu shrines, ETPB informed that ETPB chairman Dr Amir Ahmad had inaugurated the Rs 50 lakh renovation and preservation work of the sacred Hindu temple.

Aiming to promote religious tourism in Pakistan, the ETPB in July had opened the Shivala Teja Singh for Hindus to offer prayers and perform religious services. The Shivala was closed since the partition in 1947.

Faraz informed that they had begun the work of marble flooring, installation of security gates, minor repair works, whitewashing etc.

“We will be installing a white marble Shivalingam and have got brass bells which will be hanged in the temple before opening it for faithfuls" he said.

For the daily religious services, he informed that a full-time Hindu priest would be appointed on salary.

“We will also appoint one cook and a sewadar for the convenience of the devotees” he added.

Faraz said, in the second phase of renovation of the temple, the frescos which earlier adorned the temple walls but were damaged with the vagaries of weather would be redone by the artists.

“We are also getting idols of Hindu dieties which will be installed in the temple” said the deputy secretary.

"The renovation work could take about two to three months time," he said, adding that the local Hindu community was also contributing for the repair of age-old Shivala and was excited to begin religious rituals and bring back the Shivala to its pristine glory.

Meanwhile, according to sources, Amir Ahamd on Tuesday also took a meeting of the office bearers of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to review the progress on the preparations of 550 birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. The meeting was attended by PSGPC’s controversial new president Satwant Singh .

