Multan:The city of Multan is one of the oldest cities in this continent. Its history dates back to hundreds of years and many religious festivals have been nurtured on this land. Like many ancient religious and historical buildings, Prahlad temple is also situated on this land. This temple is said to be centuries old and has a religious importance in Hindu religion. However, this temple was left in ruins and no efforts had been made to rebuild it again. Muhammad Ishtiaq, a journalist from Multan says that this temple remained closed for many years as its boundary and other parts had been demolished. Ishtiaq decided to bring this issue into the notice of the government so that this historical building could be preserved.
According to him, he and a few of his friends contacted locals including a social activist Shakuntala Devi, Deputy Commissioner Nasim Sadiq and religious leaders of Hindu and Muslim communities for restoration of this worship place. Ishtiaq said that he felt as a journalist he can not only promote religious harmony through his stories but also by his actions. On a self-initiative basis, Ishtiaq and his friends actively approached several religious leaders from different communities and government officials in this regard and convinced them to support the cause as the temple was not only a heritage site but also has a religious value to a community.
Social activist Shakuntala Devi said that due to constant efforts and insistence of the journalists and communities, the government finally took a step to rebuild its boundary walls. She said that its one of the oldest temples not only in Pakistan but in this continent which also shows its importance as a heritage site.
Local government not only rebuilt the boundary wall of the temple but also assigned a team to remove garbage from the area around the temple and directed regular cleaning and maintenance of the temple. Renovation of Prahlad temple is an example of interfaith peace and harmony where members from different communities’ pay respect to a worship place by urging the concerned authority to preserve it.
The Prahlad temple is said to be constructed by Prahlad Maharaja in Multan about 2800 years ago. The temple is located adjacent to the shrine of famous Muslim sufi saint, Bahauudin Zakariya.
