In October-November 2006, more than 200 Hindu pilgrims (yatrees) came from outside of Pakistan to visit Katas Raj.
The mention of Katas Raj, located in the salt range 18 miles south of Chakwal, is found in Maha Bharat written in 300 BC. The etymology of this place as narrated in the old edition of Tarikh-i-Jhelum (History of Jhelum) is that according to Brahaman belief, Shiv Devta wept so profusely on the death of his beloved wife Satti that two holy ponds – one at Pushkar of Ajmair and other at Katak Shell – came into being with his tears. In Sanskrit, the word – Katak Shell – means chain of tears which later on was pronounced as ‘Katas’.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and President Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) L.K Advani 
also visited Katas Raj to inaugurate the conservation work at Satghrah temple in June this year. The photo to the right is from that occasion.
According to Gen Cunningham, Katas was considered the second largest holy place in Punjab for Hindu pilgrims after Jawala Mukhi. It is said famous Pando brothers spent 12 years in Katas and built the temples of Satghara. It is said Al-Beruni also spent some time at Katas to learn Sanskrit in a linguistic university which, at that time, was established here. Temples at Katas have been transferred from the federal government to the Punjab Archaeology Department recently.
Katas Raj is also the place where Alberuni attempted to measure the circumference of the Earth, studied Sanskrit and wrote his renowned Kitab-ul-Hind (Book of Hind) which depicted the religion, scientific knowledge, and social customs of Hindus. Paras Nath Jogi drew his last breath on Katas. Jagat Guru Nanak Ji also visited the place on the 1st of Visakh. Katas came to be known as Nanaknawas and was a site of contemplation for many large groups of mystics, ascetics and jogis. According to Hindu beliefs, taking bath in the holy pond at the site washes away all sins and makes man innocent.
I have the honour to visit Katas Raj in October 2010 with a Belgian friend, I also visited Taxila sites. As per him we have a bright past.
Karnail Singh saheb, i m the resident of katas , i studied in govt high school katas my childhood spent playing in the temples of katas. i appreciate your comments about Muslims and Pakistan, but i also aspect that happenings like Babari Masjid Shaheed shuld also not happened from your side. plz think about it. we even don’t touched your mandars when babari masjid was beeing destroyed.
” agar dunia main tamam mazahib sirf apni kitaboon pr amal krna shuro kr dain to dunia main kahin jang na ho”
Nice to see that some one is writing about our area.
Good job need to keep it up.
hello everybody,
this is anice piece of history and a nice armchair travalogue of north pakistan. it is indeed interesting to know about katas raj temple complex. but i am perticularly interested to know more about Janjua-rajputs ( son of Arjun Pandav ) who are they ? what do they do now ?
with regards
KC, Calcutta
Went there a week ago, that is beautiful place and worth it to visit. I apprecait the guide Gulfishan, who gave us the full information about the histroy of Katas Raj.
Went there 1 week ago. It was beautiful.Although then main temple door was sealed for renovation purpose.
Ok so whats the latest updates regarding the renovations and conditions of the temples?
Karnail Singh saheb, it is because of poor understanding and the actions of a few evil people that misunderstandings between us Pakistanis and our Indian brethren have come about. We Janjua Rajeh for example, are the sons of Arjun Pandav, we respect and love him, AND love and respect all those who also love him. Our honour lies in love, not hatred. Our duty lies in respect, not intolerance. Our faith lies in what good we can do, not in how bad we can be….
Rest assured, there are many many many Pakistanis who are as passionate about their links with the Hindu and Sikh friends pre Partition, who also did their best to protect and give safe passage to our Hindu neighbours to India, as I am sure vice versa.
Your Mandirs are our responsibility, our Holy Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ordered us to protect your honour and your rights to your places of worship, so we shall do our best to allow this Inshallah, especially in Katas which by God’s will falls in our domain.
Thank you for your kind words