Panj Tirath
| Panj Tirath | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Peshawar District |
| Governing body | Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Location | |
| Location | Hashtnagri |
| State | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Country | Pakistan |
Shown within Pakistan Panj Tirath (Pakistan) Panj Tirath (Asia) | |
| Coordinates | 34°00′36″N 71°34′14″E / 34.01000°N 71.57056°E |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | c. 1st millennium |
| Temple | 2 |
Panj Tirath (Urdu: پنج تیرتھ) is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site located in the Hashtnagri area of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The site historically consisted of five sacred water pools and associated temple structures and is regarded as one of the oldest Hindu religious sites in the city.[1]
History
Panj Tirath is believed to be more than 1,000 years old. According to historical accounts, the site included two temples, five water pools, and a large open area shaded by trees, and served as a pilgrimage destination for Hindus from across the region.[2] Local tradition associates the site with ritual bathing during the Hindu month of Kartik, and annual gatherings were historically held at the complex prior to the mid-20th century.[3]
Following the Partition of India in 1947 and the migration of much of the local Hindu population, religious activity at Panj Tirath declined and the site gradually fell into disrepair.[4]
Heritage designation
In January 2019, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa declared Panj Tirath a protected heritage site under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Antiquities Act, 2016. The notification made damage or unauthorised alteration of the site a criminal offence, punishable by fines and imprisonment.[5]
Legal dispute
Despite its protected status, Panj Tirath became the subject of a legal dispute concerning land use and management. Portions of the site were located within the premises of a privately operated amusement park established on land leased by local authorities, leading to disagreements over access and preservation.[6]
In February 2023, the Peshawar High Court took up petitions related to the site and expressed concern that the dispute had remained unresolved for several years despite the heritage declaration. The court summoned senior provincial officials and sought clarification regarding land demarcation and access for the archaeology department.[7]
Later in 2023, the dispute was addressed through a memorandum of understanding between the Evacuee Trust Property Board and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Archaeology and Museums. Under the agreement, a defined portion of land was allocated for heritage protection and conservation responsibilities were shared between the two bodies.[8]
Following the agreement, the Peshawar High Court disposed of the pending petitions related to the site.[8]
See also
References
- ^ "KP govt declares Peshawar's Panj Tirath a heritage site". The Express Tribune. 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan declares Panj Tirath Hindu site as national heritage". The News International. 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Pak declares Panj Tirath Hindu religious site as national heritage". Business Standard. 3 January 2019.
- ^ "A religious heritage lost to commercialisation". The Express Tribune. 15 June 2021.
- ^ "KP govt notifies Panj Tirath as protected heritage site". Dawn. 5 January 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan court stops provincial dept from vacating Hindu religious site Panj Tirath". The Times of India. 18 January 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan court summons top official in case involving Hindu religious site Panj Tirath". India Today. 10 February 2023.
- ^ a b "ETPB, KP archaeology dept resolve Panj Tirath dispute". Dawn. 11 March 2023.