Shivlingam in Korakram; Unveiling the Ancient Hindu Heritage
Shiv Mandir in Mansehra is one of the oldest temple that still exist in Pakistan. The history of temple is at least 2000 to 3000 years old. The temple is located in Chitti Gatti that is 15 kilometers away from Mansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The festival of Shivarathri held annually in temple, Hindus all around the world attend this festival every year.
The important thing about this temple is that it has 2000 years old Shivlinga which is very sacred for Hindu Community. It belongs to their big lord Shiva. Raja of Jammu restored the temple in 1830s. The temple was sealed from 1948 to 2008. The Hindus were accessed of temple in 1998. In 1998, Hindu community of Pakistan restore and renovate the temple.
The Shivling is a representation of their Lord Shiva, the presence of shivling in Mansehra indicates the historical establishment of Hindu culture and religious practices in the region. It dates back to the period when region was the hub of Hinduism and Buddhism.
Mansehra is also famous for its Ashokan decrees, these decrees carved on rocks by Ashoka in 3rd century BCE. The shivlinga has gained attention from archeologists and historians. It is studied by them not only for its religious importance but also for its historic and cultural evolution of the region.
The Shivlinga in Mansehra is the second largest shivlinga in the world and the largest shivlinga of Hinduism in Pakistan. It is located on Karakorum Highway. This shivling in Mansehra stands as a witness to the region’s ancient Hindu heritage, reflecting its historical and cultural diversity