Shiva In Umerkot
India Se|October 2017

An ancient Shiv temple has the pride of place in Umerkot, birthplace of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, in thar desert, Pakistan (continued from the previous issue)

Reema Abbasi
Shiva In Umerkot

Silence returns to homes and streets for siesta hours. As Thar’s remarkable warmth and hospitality will not permit a guest to wander out alone, it’s an appropriate time to explore many jewels among the dunes.

The most prominent of these is the Shiv Mandir. It presides over the desert with a deluge of colour.

Kirtan Peel carved on a rock directs travellers to it from the rough main road.

In Rajasthani curvilinear design with a glittering mirror-worked matki as its khalasha, Shiv Mandir stands on a mound in saffron and red. The temple grounds are laid out on 88 acres and a crimson staircase leads to the top sanctum. The central sanctum sanctorum is large, decorated in intricately patterned stone terrazzo. Burgundy and dark saffron additions on the floor are relatively new and far from garish.

On one side, in wild vegetation, lie two graves of ancient priests, which have seen centuries pass.

This story is from the October 2017 edition of India Se.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2017 edition of India Se.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM INDIA SEView All
Framed With Love
India Se

Framed With Love

Angie mui has achieved phenomenal success and celebrity status as a framer par excellence. her personalised attention to each job makes her stand out from the rest.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2017
Preparing For Annual Energy Changes
India Se

Preparing For Annual Energy Changes

The ancient Indian science of vaastu and feng shui both recommend spring-cleaning of homes to ensure a proper flow of energy beneficial to the residents

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2017
Dynasties Kill Democracy
India Se

Dynasties Kill Democracy

India is not a family’s private property.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2017
The Great Cover-Up
India Se

The Great Cover-Up

Film star in a backless dress causes greater outrage than the death of a Christian schoolboy at the hands of muslim classmates

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2017
Big Bose
India Se

Big Bose

What did Jawaharlal Nehru fear when he continued IB snooping?

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2017
Shiva In Umerkot
India Se

Shiva In Umerkot

An ancient Shiv temple has the pride of place in Umerkot, birthplace of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, in thar desert, Pakistan (continued from the previous issue)

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2017
Family Drama In Singapore
India Se

Family Drama In Singapore

Award-winning director Shilpa Krishnan Shukla’s latest feature film was shot entirely in Singapore.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2017
Movie & Myth
India Se

Movie & Myth

Meet Anup Singh, the man behind Qissa and now The Song of the Scorpions.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2017
For Good Neighbours
India Se

For Good Neighbours

How feng shui can help you have good relations with your neighbours.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2017
Silver lining For your portfolio
India Se

Silver lining For your portfolio

Silverdale bond Fund has delivered over 10 per cent a year when you can hardly get 2 per cent from a Singapore bank. How? Sanjay Guglani (cIO) and Aseem Arora (President) explain

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2017