The Temples of Katas Raj

Posted on December 3, 2006
Filed Under >S.A.J. Shirazi, Architecture, Culture & Heritage, History, Religion, Travel
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S.A.J Shirazi

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.

33 responses to “The Temples of Katas Raj”

  1. Adil Najam says:

    Nice photo from Katas Raj published in Daily Times (17 Feb 07) [Given title”Pundit Vanay Kumar Bansi plays Sunkh during ‘puja’ at the Katas Raj temples on Friday. Abid Nawaz”]:

  2. Nauman Anwar says:

    Yeasterday on Feb. 05 2007, I visited KATAS, although the work is in process for the stairs but no work is currently in progress on the building. I request the authorities to please look after such historical places

    Regards

  3. ghazia says:

    Its good to know that the Govt. of Pakistan is paying attention to the Katas temples. I went there some four years back, and noticed that the temples literally lay in ruins. Unfortunately I did not understand the religious significance associated with the place then, but now I do. I am glad that the temples are being restored now.

  4. Kiani says:

    further reading on the pottohar temples

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