In Search of Shiva

by Haroon Khalid

Hidden within the rising tide of Islamic puritanism and extremism in Pakistan there is another world of Islamic religiosity which does not look towards the Middle East for its religious identity but is instead rooted in the cultural beliefs of South Asia. Comprising traditions that have their roots in the antiquity of the Indus Valley Civilization it finds expression in shrines of phallic offerings sacred animals and sacred trees. In the backdrop of economic development and rising extremism these shrines exist as an anomaly and are increasingly at risk of being eroded. Growing connectivity between rural and urban areas further threatens the distinctiveness of these shrines and religious traditions. In Search of Shiva documents these religious traditions and studies how they have survived over the years and are now adapting to the increasingly rigid religious climate in Pakistan. About the Author Haroon Khalid has an academic background in Anthropology from the Lahore University of Management and Sciences LUMS . He has been a travel writer and freelance journalist since 2008 travelling extensively around Pakistan documenting its historical and cultural heritage. He has written for several newspapers and magazines including The News Express Tribune The Friday Times Scroll and Himal and is also the author of A White Trail A Journey Into the Heart of Pakistan 39 s Religious Minorities. Born and raised in Lahore he now lives in Islamabad with his wife and works as an educationist. This is his second book.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Pakistan, History, Travelogue

256 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Nandakishore Mridula · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you look at it logically, national boundaries have no meaning other than as political entities. If we go through history, countries have formed, changed shape, split, merged and disappeared with regular frequency: yet we take the concept of nationhood and patriotism very seriously, and kill and get killed to "protect" these nonexistent lines on a map. The ways of man are indeed strange.

India and Pakistan are two such artificial entities created by the British to suit their agenda of divide and rule. Born out of bitterness and hatred, they have been at each other's throats ever since they took shape on two sides of August 15, 1947. To be fair, one has to say that this enmity is more intense on the side of Pakistan, as the main platform of their political parties and army is India-bashing; and since Zia-ul-Haq changed the nation into a virtual theocracy in the 1980's, the hatred has become openly religious. India, the nation of infidels, is the devil's land: and Pakistan, the land of Islam, is God's answer to it.

Writes Haroon Khalid:

Carved out of India in 1947 on the basis of the two-nation theory, the raison d'etre for Pakistan is its opposition to India, a Hindu majority nation. That Hindus and Muslims are separate entities based on their different and opposing religions, culture, history and language, is the lifeline of the theory. School textbooks on Pakistan Studies highlight that India was a land lost in the darkness of ignorance, where a beacon of light arrived with the Muslims.

This, of course, is so much bovine excrement - India and Pakistan share common roots, a common culture and even language. (As a South Indian, I can say that North India is more similar culturally to Pakistan than the South.) Most erudite and intelligent people know this - and this book by Haroon Khalid, a freelance journalist and travel writer, is an attempt to explore the roots of folk religion in his native Punjab, as yet not obliterated by successive theocratic governments.

The "Shiva" of the title is a metaphor - a metaphor for Pasupati (the Lord of the Beasts) of the Indus Valley civilisation from whom the Hindu deity of Shiva, the one who drinks liquor, smokes weed, wears serpents as garlands and dances the dance of destruction is supposed to have originated. As Khalid travels through Punjab, he sees shrines dedicated to phallic cults (the common symbol of Shiva is a linga - or phallus - in a vagina, symbolising the art of creation), tree worship, animistic cults and places where transgenders are considered sacred. All of these are inimical to Islam, yet the people continue to indulge in these pagan rituals. The interesting fact is that most of these sacred places are identified with the grave of one miracle-working Muslim saint or the other, perhaps to provide legitimacy for a forbidden practice.

Khalid also highlights -sadly - how orthodox Islam is slowly killing this folk culture. In this I saw a warning for India. The nation has slowly moved towards the right in the past few decades, and under the Hindu fundamentalist government of Narendra Modi, the pace of this shift has accelerated. In the current farcical rewriting of history textbooks in Rajasthan and Maharashtra, a reflection of what happened in Pakistan under Zia can be seen.

Pakistan Studies, a subject that replaced History and is compulsory for all school and college students, begins with the Indus Valley Civilization, and goes on to discuss Buddhism and then the first Muslim invasion of Muhammad bin Qasim, leaving a vacuum of more than a millennium when Hindu kingdoms dominated this land. In the nationalistic discourse, all traces of the Hindu past are obliterated because of the fear that they might dilute the Pakistani identity.

A generation which grows up without the knowledge of their roots in the common fount of humanity, slowly becomes a group of morons who can be easily manipulated by a totalitarian government. This is what happened all throughout history, ranging across the spectrum from the extreme right to the extreme left. Khalid's book is a chilling reminder of the same thing happening in the subcontinent. Let us wake up and stop the rot before it is too late.

[Siddharth Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haroon Khalid is the only ray of hope I see when it comes to reviving the Pre-Islamic history of Pakistan. I was quite fascinated by his first book "A White Trail" but "In Search of Shiva" has taken my admiration for him to greater heights. Reading the book, I was surprised to find so many shrines in Pakistan which are in reality connected to Hinduism or even date back to the Indus Valley civilization.

The narration is simple to understand, and the author has traveled far and wide to visit some of the remotely located shrines. The author has stated in the book that the epic love saga of Heer Ranjha was first written by Damodar Das Arora. This is incorrect I think as the general perception is that Waris Shah was the original author of this love ballad.

The ever increasing influence of puritanical Islam in the Pakistani society is putting the existence of such shrines in danger.I hope and pray that the Pakistanis get back to their roots and save these shrines from going into oblivion.

[Masnoon Majeed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up in Pakistan. Yet, while reading this book, I felt as if I knew other countries better than my own backyard. The simple 'rural areas' are actually teaming with interesting stories, myths, and shrines. Each shrine is different than the other, and every story has a complex relationship with the history, the myth, the desires, and the environment. Some are for mentally disabled, others protect dogs, or cats, or some birds, or the blind, some took the phallic offerings to bless women with children while in others one ties threads to ask for marriage. Overall, Khalid seemed to be aware of the complexities involved in shrine culture because while the culture does represent a diverse and more liberal Punjab, yet the caretakers of the shrines, after the passing of the saints, have now created a problem where they exploit others for their own benefit.

However, the book is a very simple exploration of shrines of Punjab. The author does offer his philosophical and political analysis, but that is not very deep. Though, I think the book should be judged by not as a piece of academic work, but as a documentation project of an endangered culture through the eyes of an avid and well-read traveler.

[Yash Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Har kan mai hai Shankar, Jai Shiv Shankar : lord Shiva in Pakistan





ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्

Meaning : ‘We worship the Three-eyed Lord who is fragrant and who nourishes and nurtures all beings. As is the ripened cucumber is freed from its bondage, may He liberate us from death for the sake of immortality.’

---------------------------------------------------------

When it comes to pakistan, the first word which often comes to my mind is, 'Islamic state', a nation which was created for the Muslims of India, especially for the sunni muslims, by partitioning India in the year 1947.

And in Pakistan if there is anything which is related to Hindus or Hinduism, then it should be discarded as soon as possible. Because the foundation of pakistan was based on the concept of the 'Two-nation theory', which says that Hindus and Muslims are two different entities and they can't live together.

But in search of Shiva, a study of folk and religious practices in Pakistan, the author in this book refuted all such absurd notions and theories and presented to the reader a very different side of Pakistan.

And for this he travelled in and around Lahore and visited several shrines, like the one where women presents phallic-shaped offerings to the patron saint, while praying for the child. A shrine where the ordinary Muslims worship sacred trees, and a shrine which is dedicated to peacocks. And several other shrines like, Peer Abbas kutiyanali Sarkar, or Peer Abbas the master of dogs, Kawan wali sarkar, Hazrat baba ghulam rasool billiyan wali sarkar etc.

And he rightly said that all these practices are Infact thousand years old, and the practices like, phallus offerings, worshipping sacred trees and animals, are part of the hinduism, and these cultural practices can trace their origins from the 'Indus Valley Civilization'.

As these cultural practices was influenced by hinduism, and in Pakistan it is considered that anything which is Indian or influenced by Hinduism is un-islamic. And with the rising influence of Saudi infected Wahhabism creed amongst the ordinary Pakistani citizens, these cultural traditions and practices which accepts diversity are dying slowly. And because of the wrong educational system, the rising influence of Saudi culture, and because of the wrong policies of the Pakistani state, the citizens of Pakistan are becoming more intolerant towards minorities, and this kind of attitude is disastrous for any country.

Though the author of this book only covered the shrines which is situated in and around Lahore. But he really did a good job, and very beautiful he linked the past with the present, and the language of the book is very easy to be read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I also strongly recommend Readers to read this book and enlighten yourself with the another side of Pakistan, which the national media or daily newspapers rarely covers.

My Ratings :  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

I hope you like the Review, thanks for reading, Jai Hind.

Table of contents :-

--------------------------

1. Muslim rage : Innocence of Muslims

2. Fertility cult

3. Sacred trees

4. Into the heart of orthodoxy

5. A mutiny from within

6. Animistic cults

7. Syncretism in the mainstream

8. The two-nation theory

9. The counter narrative

10. Identity crisis

11. The changing landscape

[Gurpreet Dhariwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book on Kindle and absolutely loved it.

I have been a fan of Haroon Khalid's work. He is an extraordinary writer blessed with writing about history and culture.

This book opened my eyes about things why older people say things were different when they were growing up. People were more peaceful and content from the inside. Although I doubt that, I cannot deny the fact that they were living a simple life with simple means of starting and ending their days.

What amazed me about this book is the stories about the shrines of dogs who were worshipped just like God by humans. I had tears in my eyes while reading that part because I know with every fiber in my body that dogs are the best in this world no matter what others try to say about them. They offer us unconditional love, respect, and genuineness.

Please do read this book if you have an interest in knowing about the shrine and its history in the various other regions of Pakistan.

[Farwah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the content of this book, and there is no doubt in my mind that Khalid - being as young as he was when researching for this - has earned his publication. The imagery and descriptive elements of this book are rich, and it is a rare look at Pakistan's religious syncretism. However, his academic immaturity certainly shows throughout as he attempts to neatly sort all of Pakistan into broad categories 'urban' and 'rural', 'conservative' and 'liberal', 'syncretic' and 'orthodox' etc. There is little nuance to his analysis, and he seems quite keen to awkwardly force his observations into the parameters of his established labels, through they often spill out of them entirely - not to mention seem rather quintessential of the average young, upper-middle class Pakistani. There is also a barely-concealed disdain for the more orthodox middle class, and a constant reiteration of their intolerance and potential for violence. Though little attempt to sort through the various threads of orthodoxy, or even understand how or why they exist. Religious identities are not just readymade, packaged products imported from Saudi Arabia, or inherited from our Hindu ancestors to sprinkle atop our Muslim-ness. They are complex, contextualised, and salient depending on a variety of socioeconomic circumstances, which Khalid seemed to overlook or fail to even consider.

[Karandeep · Rating 4 out of 5]

So there is not much about Shiva in this book. The book is primarily about practices that were once a part of Hindu and Sikh community living in Pak pre 1947 and how they still exist but with a certain evolution to suit the current political and religious scenario.

This book will take the reader through various shrines that exist or existed or in the process of dying and also provide interesting history tid-bits that can be quite informative.

It's a good one day read.

[Anil Swarup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haroon Khalid provides some amazing insights into folk religious practices that reflect the syncretic nature of the cultural-religious canvas of Pakistan that professes to be an Islamic country. Despite being Islamic, the country has not been able to shed the impact of co-existence of Islam with other religions and the practices thereunder. The author feels that "the Muslims there (in India) exerted their religious identity much more than the Muslims in Pakistan". Hence, the acceptance of such practices that may not strictly be Islamic in nature.
There are some other interesting observations as well : "The traffic in the cities of Pakistan is as intolerant as religious fundamentalism".

[Apratim Mukherjee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me begin the review with the title of the book. Part of the title of the book is "In search of Shiva", but the book has hardly anything to do with Hindu God Lord Shiva. Haroon Khalid here treats Lord Shiva as an aesthetic who is someone above well defined religions. He is someone who fits the narrative of both a 'Malang' for Muslims and a 'Sadhu' for Hindus. With this sort of an introduction, Khalid traverses length and breadth of Punjab in search of shrines and the folklore, myths, traditions etc. associated with these places. He also expresses his concern about the rising intolerance in Pakistan and decline of shrine culture. If I have to summarize everything in one sentence, he has intertwined folklore and contemporary Pakistani history in this book.
Now, this is not Khalid's best work. It ends abruptly, doesn't have photographs and the narrative sometimes drags. But, if above errors are overlooked, it opens up the reader's mind. After reading, one might even question to himself, "What is religion?, Are religion and state separate? etc."
So, if you can ignore some errors and have an open mind and are tolerant about religion, you can read this. Its not excellent but good.

[Rida Akhtar Ghumman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haroon is vocal about indigenous sensoria and Pakistani folk religious books, infact all books Pakistan, need just about this.

[Imran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conversion of animal graves into tombs of saints.. Islamisation of Hindu / Sikhi samadhis into Muslims tombs after partition.. offerings of unmentionable objects on some mazars.... mentioned in this book raises a big question: What is more tolerable? Practices which exploit beliefs of common men in the absence of education and required facilities, but providing temporary relief or intolerance of such practices leading to destruction of tombs across country and killing innocent people?

The book is a food for thought for those who just don't want to play role of spectators.

[Neha Garg (thereadingowl_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this world of religious extremism, it was nice to explore the roots that connect them all.

[Omer Shakil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic read!

[Faaiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The topic is absolutely fascinating and there is a dearth of knowledge and information on folk religious practices in Pakistan. To that end, this book sets itself apart. However, there are also a number of limitations in this book. For instance, one of my biggest qualms about this book is its non-academic tone and analysis. To be clear, the author never claims that it is but without it being so he opens himself up to criticism regarding the analysis and evidence he presents. The book is full of the author's own opinions and perspectives which puts the validity of his argument in doubt as the analysis could be biased by the author's own perspective. This book is good for a journalistic and first person account of the author's travels. But, due to the lack of anthropological methodologies used, the author's analysis remains incomplete and prone to bias. Moreover, the author poses a number of hypotheses all throughout the book, some of which are not corroborated by citations which is problematic as there is no way to ascertain the truth of the author's claims. Furthermore, in some places it remains unclear whether the explanation or argument used by the author is his hypothesis or a fact/evidence based on existing research.
I also felt that the author's own opinions and anecdotes didn't often fit well into the narrative and were needless in a few instances. Also, for someone who is critical of capitalism, the author often exhibited a lack of critical thinking regarding his own implicit biases and working of the system. For example, had the author been more critically inclined he would have realized that the Christian boy working at Hardees is still the continuation of the globalized capitalistic venture through which the workers continued to be exploited through the formation of an ethnically heterogeneous working class as opposed to the exploitation, in the Pakistani context, that results from the creation of a perpetually marginalized ethnic group based on religion (i.e, Christians in Pakistan). Some of the comments and jokes in the book were inappropriate and unfit of anthropologists. The whole enterprise often reeked of voyeurism and the Western Educated Upper Middle Class Urban gaze through which the author viewed the "exotic" natives.
All in all, excellent topic of research, terrible execution.

[Laavanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written book. I commend the writer for his exploration of the folk and religious practices (with roots in Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, Sufism etc) that were a part of what was pre-Partition India and today Pakistan. It was quite a fascinating read to see the cultural and religious syncretism of that region before it became an Islamic state and society. Sadly those practices are on the decline as that transition happened and is still happening over the last 74 plus years. I wonder how much of these folk and religious practices will survive in the decades and centuries to come in that nation. Pakistan has been unable to maintain any strong semblance of religious diversity and pluralism in an atmosphere of Wahabi, puritanical based Islam.

I find it ironic that the opposite has happened to Islam in India. Jinnah propagated to the Muslims of India that Islam will be in danger in a Hindu majority democratic India. However, something I wish more Pakistanis would know is today Indian Muslims have their own Muslim personal law, 550,000 active mosques, 25,000 madrasas, all Islamic holidays are public holidays and honored as equal to all other religions, azaan can be heard in every corner of India and much more. Every single Islamic sect is practiced in India. Islam continues to be a living religion and a part of the soil and soul of modern democratic India. Hinduism, Sikhism and other folk and religious practices are very possibly in danger of extinction in Pakistan in the centuries to come. How interesting the different trajectories of the minority religions on both sides of the border!

As the author explains in a chapter on the two nation theory, school children in Pakistan are taught that Hindus are evil because they worship a wide range of deities with multiple hands. India was lost in ignorance until the light of Islam came to it. I found it so troubling. If this nationalistic propaganda continues, how will these future Pakistanis cultivate tolerance and respect for religious differences and diversity towards any faith (and not just Hinduism) in a modern global society?

[Shabana · Rating 5 out of 5]

#bookreview
#spiritualreads
#weekendreading

In Search of Shiva by Haroon Khalid is an interesting culmination of travel and mysticism, recounting experiences of the author traversing across the length and breadth of the country exploring various intriguing folk religious practices that uncommonly still continue to be practised despite the dwindling interests amidst modernisation

From the shrine of Aban Shah where women offer phallic shaped offerings to the patron saint praying for blessings of a child, Apal muri where the ancient peepal tree is worshipped believed to be associated with djinns, the shrine of Baba mast where eunuchs pay tribute to the saint, shrine of Peer Abbas Kutiyanali Sarkar ( Peer Abbas the master of dogs), Ghore Shah ( affiliated to the Guru’s horse ) , Biliyan wali sarkar ( shrine of cats) and many more .

All beautifully interwoven explaining concepts of Sufism, understanding why the celebration of urs is considered to be the day the Sufi is said to be united with his beloved, God; Malangs and their ascetism, Malamati peers and their likeness to spiritual eccentricities and the infamous story of Heer Ranjha ( wherein Hussain Shah the poet was the first who have the story a spiritual legend of how the love of Heer got Ranjha is akin to the love of the believer for his God) narrating…

Mahi Mahi kook di mein ape Rajhan hoyi
Ranjhan Ranjhan sab koi aakho, Heer na kahin koi
(Calling the name of my beloved I myself have become Ranjhan, call me Ranjhan only now as I am no longer Heer)

Overall an interesting read, loved the way the author highlighted the commonality across cultures and rural folklore beyond boundaries and borders.

Image : for reference only. Location Narad ghat, Varanasi

Thank you for the recommendation Anuradha Goyal

[Gurpreet Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Search of Shiva: A Study of Folk Religious Practices in Pakistan (2015) by Haroon Khalid.
This book offers a profound insight into Haroon Khalid's exploration of syncretic Southeast Asia. The book delves into the syncretic shrines and rituals prevalent in Pakistan, deeply rooted in pre-Islamic traditions, primarily derived from Hinduism and reverence for Lord Shiva. However, these ancient traditions face a significant threat from the growing religious puritanism prevalent among the elite and urban middle class, which is gradually permeating rural areas through biased education and economic development.
Previously, the threat to syncretic shrines and rituals stemmed from educational and developmental challenges, but it has now manifested physically, with fundamentalist groups attacking these sacred sites and denouncing them as un-Islamic. The author documents various folk religious practices that still persist in spite of the threats they face. He discusses sacred trees, fertility cults, animalistic cults, and modern religious practices inspired by or derived from the Indus Civilization.
Moreover, Khalid examines the rise of fundamentalism, identity crises, and attempts to impose a uniform religious nationalist identity on Pakistan (which is nothing but antithesis to India). The book raises thought-provoking questions about whether these traditions can withstand extremism, adapt, and evolve, or ultimately fade into obscurity.
For readers interested in delving into religious beliefs and understanding the anthropological impacts of development and globalisation, this book offers a compelling and enlightening read.

[Syed Hassan Abbas Zaidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In Search of Shiva" is the first book of its kind in my collection. Based on folk religious practices in Pakistan, the book elaborates the shrine culture and its roots embedded deep in the history of South Asia. The book is not about "Lord Shiva" but the Islamic mysticism which has strong historical linkages with ancient religions of the land i.e. Hinduism and Buddhism. Concept of offerings at shrines, sacred animals and trees are some of the unique religious practices only to be found in South Asia.

Its due to inclusive nature of Shrine culture that the Muslim Sufi Saints are equally respected by Hindus and Sikhs. Shrine culture, though un-harmful is presently threatened by growing religious orthodoxy and puritanism as well as urbanisation.

"In Search of Shiva" is written in a travelogue style as the author 'Haroon Khalid' has travelled to shrines located in remote regions. Apart from the personal experiences it also includes author's opinions and analysis.

P.S. To my surprise, author has also visited a shrine in Lahore which was less than a kilometer away from my high school and I never got to know that there exists one. Even the road was named after the Saint and I never got curious. Seems like I need to pay this shrine a visit. Pakistani history and culture is fascinating as well as unique in nature. Even if not as a religious duty but as a moral duty the culture needs to be explored and kept alive by us.

[Pramod Vemuri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Haroon Khalid after reading his excellent work, Walking With Nanak, which is an excellent spiritual travelogue centered around Sikhism in Punjab. So it was natural that I check out his previous works, such as this book - In Search Of Shiva (released in 2015, a year before "... Nanak"). The author's narrative style is clearly just as strong, although for some arbitrary reason I didn't enjoy this work as much.

The author covers the Adivasi/Shaivite traditions hidden underneath the layers of Sufi shrines, once again in a travelogue across Pakistan. He also opines that there is a self-evident continuity between the Indus civilization and the Hindu civilization, something that ironically is taboo in the mainstream Indian academia. The author also has strongly... postcolonialist opinions about Pakistan and India, such as how Pakistani nationalism is fictitious, and how religious literalism is a reaction to modernity.

The book's somewhat rough around the edges. Besides the abrupt ending of the book (IMO), I felt the author was a tad condescending at places - but it may have been my projection, given that I mostly agree with his outlook. There is a LOT to learn about the islamic culture of the Indian subcontinent in this book, but it is best the reader find it out for himself.

[Nirbhay Kanoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chanced upon Haroon Khalid's In Search Of Shiva thanks to Kindle Unlimited. I am surprised I've not read any of such a prolific writer's work before, but it's never too late.

The book focuses on non-Islamic religious practices in Pakistan and made for an interesting read. I always enjoy sociological reads, so truthfully, I am a bit biased.

I personally don't know enough about Pakistan, and it's always good to learn of another country. I appreciated Khalid's curiosity and interest in exploring beyond the obvious.

It was most interesting to read about how both major religions of South Asia influenced each other and how festivals or religious functions from one had a bearing in the development of the other. Really goes to show the world is round.

There was many another insights to be gleaned - how fundamentalism is being taught under the garb of history; minorities are often subject to prejudice and persecution; the evolution of more fundementalist and puratin schools of Islam, and so on.

If reading about religion interests you, I do recommend this book.

[Moin Mubarak · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Search of Shiva

Sounds like something Amish would write, but then it says 'folk religious practices in Pakistan' - how confusing! This book takes you on a trip to the depths of Pakistan, place and culture-wise; things you haven't yet heard of but are familiar. If the author wouldn't name the locations, these places could easily be assumed Indian.

It is yet another attempt to show that even though there exist geographical, ideological, and fictional barriers (read nationalism), we aren't much different otherwise.

Haroon writes about his travel experiences and how he experiences different cultures and traditions. Spread across a span of time, this book provides a different perspective of life and people than what the general rhetoric does.

An intriguing and wholesome reading experience. Though you wouldn't agree with everything, and at times will be cynical about many things, it definitely adds spice to this book. After all, what fun is an indisputable story?

Definitely recommended.

[Yashovardhan Sinha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the book is about unorthodox religious practices in various shrines in Pakistan, it has been narrated as a somewhat boring string of visits to several shrines, their histories and description of their present condition. I found the book very loose and unorganised.

But to his credit, Khalid has used these shrines to make some meaningful observations about the growth of bigotry and violence in Pakistan.

[Sudhir · Rating 3 out of 5]

A recommended read to those who believe/and those who don’t - in the syncretic culture of the subcontinent- not separated by the lines of nations!!
Amazingly neutral in its take on the religious practices that surround us- discovering them in their history and culture only.
That the search is based in the Pakistan side of the subcontinent makes it more special knowledge that went un accesible to me on the other side of the area!

[Deepak Yadav · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book could have been names as "In search of Sufi's"and even then it would have generated similar interest in all the book lovers in India and elsewhere.

Though the book talks about Shiva in parts, if the reader is no interested in Sufism then he may loose the interest and leave the book incomplete.

Over all a good read.

[Kevin McAvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the encounters at various shrines for animals, penises and revered saints.
It's all about money. The shrines provide a tiny income for the keepers so who cares if they are Sikh or Hindu shrines in a Paki (Pure) nation of Islam. I think there is a documentary of this book too so I will look for that. Excellent job by Haroon and his travelling companions.

[Shailesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting book

[Samreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

well researched and informative

[Mohan Rao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ancestral histiry of shiva worship

[Jayanthi.S · Rating 2 out of 5]

.

. . In. In. N ok.. hi. Oo.. oooh.yyy. tttt you hhfr ggrt yyhg high high hhg hi egg hh

[Faisal Hameed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant brilliant book