The sacred waters of the katas raj temples the express. A group of indian pilgrims on wednesday left for pakistan for paying obeisance at the katas raj temple. The most admired katas raj temples are located near chakwal in punjab, pakistan. Pakistans katas raj temples fall into neglect again, after. Pakistan supreme court fumes as idols missing from katas. Katas raj when they were exiled from their homeland. According to legend, the pond was formed after lord shiva wept upon the death of his wife satti. Pakistan issues visas to 9 indian pilgrims to visit. Ketaksha means the raining eyes and now a days its name is katas adamson and shaw 1981. The temple complex surrounds a pond named katas which is regarded as sacred by hindus. While hearing the suo moto case regarding the drying of.
The research paper is an attempt to study the historical significance of the temple and its current. Katas raj, which dates back to 600 ad, is considered as the secondmost sacred hindu pilgrimage site in pakistan. Dedicated to shiva, the temple has, according to hindu legend, existed since the days of mahabha rata and the pandava brothers spent a substantial part of their exile at the site and later krishna himself laid the foundation of this temple. Really nice temples next to the mountains of khewra salt range. The katas raj temple complex is located near kallar kahar in punjabs salt range at an altitude of 2000 feet20. After the process of restoration began, a further 32 rooms for the accommodation of hindu yatrees were also. The katas raj temple complex is a hindu mandir found. Katas raj temple complex is a sad monument to pakistans unease with its hindu heritage. Book your tickets online for katas raj temples, chakwal. Built by the hindushahi kings of punjab, the sacred pond around the. This guy went to katas raj temples and what he saw there. This file is licensed under the creative commons attributionshare alike 4. Jun 07, 2015 katas raj temples had always been on my list of places to visit.
D are dedicated to lord shiva and is an important hindu pilgrimage site. Sadly, katas raj has further deteriorated in the last 2 years. Feb 11, 2018 visiting the beautiful katas raj temples in pakistan. Nov 23, 2017 the name of the katas raj temple complex is a derivative of kataksha, a sanskrit word meaning tearful eyes. Todays neglect of katas raj seems symbolic of spiritualitys fate in what is now pakistan source. Nov 23, 2017 the supreme court had taken suo motu notice of the case last week after reports published in local media that katas raj temple pond was drying up as cement factories and settlements in katas and. Muhammad iqbalexpress the historical katas raj temple near chakwal is one of the most important sites for pakistans hindu community and is used till this day by locals and hindus who travel from abroad for the annual pilgrimage. Katas raj mandir is a hindu temple located in choa saidan shah, chakwal. Katas raj temples the oldest hindu temple in pakistan. Wikimedia commons it was a bright afternoon this december the sun was more than welcome. The temples play a role in the hindu epic poem, the mahabharata, where the temples are traditionally believed to have been the site where the pandava. A sacred hindu temple complex has been making news in pakistan.
Katasraj temple, chakwal district of punjab hindu temple, hindu. Katas came to be known as nanaknawas and was a site of contemplation for many large groups of mystics, ascetics and jogis. It will be no surprise to many people that i have chosen to write about a temple in pakistan those who know me or who follow my blog will be familiar with my nearobsession with the country. Just over a month ago the supreme court of pakistan took suo moto cognizance i. How pakistan failed to save sacred katas raj temple and its. Nov 23, 2017 the most admired katas raj temples are located near chakwal in punjab, pakistan. There will be no compromise on katas raj temple, observes sc. Katas raj temple, jhelum district, pakistan, photo taken by belgar, joseph david in 1875 available from british library licensing edit this image is in the public domain in the united states because.
On taking the exit at kallar kahar and driving on to the chooa saidan shah road yeah, its a weird name for sure, mostly because of chooa, reminding me of chooha in about 25 minutes time, you reach the temples. In this special report, we visit the katasraj temple complex in chakwal district of pakistan which is said to be in existence since the mahabharata era. This file is licensed under the creative commons attributionshare alike 3. It is situated about 40 kilometers from the city of chakwal making it a popular tourist place among people of chakwal. Located in the kallar kahar town near the m2 motorway in the district of chakwal, the katas raj temple complex is one of the. This temple is located at the distance of about 269 kms or 167. Dedicated to shiva, the temple has, according to hindu legend, existed since the days of mahabha rata and the pandava brothers spent a substantial part of their exile at the site and later krishna himself laid the foundation of this temple and established his hand made shivling in it. Ejss 30 reminiscent of hinduism an insight of katas raj.
Also find news, photos and videos on katas aj temple mon, apr 20, 2020. According to hindu beliefs, taking bath in the holy pond at the site washes away all sins and makes man innocent. This file contains additional information such as exif metadata which may have been added by the digital camera, scanner, or software program used to create or digitize it. Oct 21, 20 in this special report, we visit the katasraj temple complex in chakwal district of pakistan which is said to be in existence since the mahabharata era. To find the return map from islamabad to katas raj temple, begin with entering start and end locations in calculator control and click on show return map. Katasraj mandir punjabi, is a hindu temple complex situated in katas village near choa saidanshah in the chakwal district of punjab in pakistan. The temple is dedicated to lord shiva, and is one of the most important hindu pilgrimage sites in pakistan still in use to this day by members of the hindu community. Katas raj is located about 16 kilometers 10 miles from kallar kahar on the road between kallar kahar and choa saidan shah, in district chakwal of province punjab, pakistan. The katas raj temple is a complex of seven or more temples, collectively known as satgraha. Dec 22, 2017 katas raj temple complex is a sad monument to pakistans unease with its hindu heritage the ancient religious site in punjab has been a barometer of indiapakistan relations in the last decade. The katas raj temples near chakwal in punjab province of pakistan are attributed to the eras of the hindu shahis kings dating from about 615950 ce and are dedicated to lord shiva. Chief justice of pakistan justice mian saqib nisar remarked that there will be no compromise on katas raj temple near chawkal. The name katas is derived from kataksha, a sanskrit word.
See more ideas about hindu temple, temple and pakistan. Pak cement cos agree to find alternative to water from katas. Tims of urbanduniya favorite temple is katas raj temple. It is set regarding forty kilometers from town of chakwal creating it a wellliked traveller place among individuals of chakwal. The katas site houses the satgraha or seven temples, a gathering of seven old temple, remains of a buddhist stupa, a couple of medieval sanctuaries, havelis and some as. Nov 24, 2017 according to the hindu mythology, the picturesque pond at katas raj temple in pakistans punjab was formed by tears of lord shiva who wept after the loss of his wife sati. The hindu community considers the pond to be of sacred water and this did raise alarm, they have tried to contact people in the government and the factory to stop this. Katas raj mandir, temple, shiva, shiva linga introduction hasan 2008. Basically, katas raj is a temple complex consisting seven ancient temples called satgraha, some temples of middle ages and some recently constructed temples. Thousands of pilgrims and visitors visited katas in april to take bath in the holy pool adamson and shaw 1981.
The description on its description page there is shown below. These multiplex temples, and conglomeration of temples,standin homage to the deity and goddess of hindu folklore. The town of kallar kahar in chakwal district of punjab province of pakistan houses one of the holiest sanctuaries of hinduism in the indian subcontinent. The shri katas raj temple is attributed to hindu shahiya 615950 a. Visiting the beautiful katas raj temples in pakistan. Katas raj temples and the hidden shame of pakistani.
Katas raj is one of the holiest places for the hindu community in pakistan. Katas raj, an area located approximately 40 kilometers off chakwal, has a fairly small population, mostly muslim. According to legend, the pond was formed after lord shiva wept uncontrollably upon. Katas is located on the northern part of the salt range about 40 kilometers away from chakwal. As we did mention that this temple is located in the punjab province in the city of lahore. The supreme court had taken suo motu notice of the case last week after reports published in local media that katas raj temple pond was drying up as cement factories and settlements in. Dedicated to shiva, the temple has existed since the days of mahabharata and the pandava brothers spent a substantial part of their exile at. Most of the hindu pilgrims visit this temple to worship and pay pilgrimage.
Tims of urbanduniya favourite temple is katas raj temple. Pakistan issues visas to 9 indian pilgrims to visit katas. Assorted temples are connected to one another by walkways. Jan 08, 2019 katasraj mandir is a hindu temple complex situated in katas village in the chakwal district of punjab in pakistan. Jan 11, 2017 pakistani prime minister nawaz sharif visited the katas raj hindu temple in chakwal district of punjab on wednesday to inaugurate its renovation. Slowly, the buddhist stupas of katas raj appeared on the horizon, miles before the rest of the hindubuddhist temple complex. These temples are spread across uneven slopes within walking distances in an area that appears to be a valley. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in. Information from its description page there is shown below. If the file has been modified from its original state, some details such as the timestamp may not fully reflect those of the original file. Built by the hindushahi kings of punjab, the sacred pond around the temple is significant because it is believed that the. In pakistans katas raj, an ancient shiva temple has a.
The templ e complex surrounds a pond named kata s which is regarded as sacred by hindus. History of katas raj temple in pakistan distance from. Pakistani prime minister nawaz sharif visited the katas raj hindu temple in chakwal district of punjab on wednesday to inaugurate its renovation. The katas raj temple in chakwal district of punjab province is one of the hindu communitys most wellknown places of worship. Media in category katasraj temple the following 200 files are in this category, out of 249 total. Trip to katas raj temples the dos, donts and some rambling. You can also try a different route while coming back by adding multiple destinations. The temples form a complex surrounding a pond named katas which is regarded as sacred by hindus. Pak cement cos agree to find alternative to water from katas raj temple the factories made a commitment to build a small dam in the area, the outflow of which will be maintained in a way that the. Nov 23, 2017 8 the sunsets at katas raj temples are breathtaking.
Pakistan failed to save katas raj temple, says its supreme. Situated in punjabs katas village, the temple complex dates back to 615950 ce, and is dedicated to lord shiva. Its hindu residents however migrated to india in 1947. Hindu pilgrims leaves for pakistan to visit katas raj temple ani news. As such they constitute one of the most important hindu pilgrimage sites in pakistan and are still in use to this day by members of the hindu community both in the country and those who make the journey there every. Jul 30, 2016 the katas site houses the satgraha or seven temples, a gathering of seven old temple, remains of a buddhist stupa, a couple of medieval sanctuaries, havelis and some as the newly built sanctuaries. The beauty of katas raj temple and lama temple in beijing. The temple was built during the reign of hindu kings in the region several temples were built around 900 years ago or more, although the earliest of the katasraj temples dates back to the latter half of the 6th century a. Earlier this month, over 220 indian pilgrims were granted visas to visit the famous hindu temple, shadani darbar, in sukkur. Earlier on, the department of etpb took care of the pilgrims as they stayed in a college building across the temples. Mandir or temple is a place of katas raj mandir, speaks of its.
The katas raj temples, also known as qila katas, is a complex of several hindu temples connected to one another by walkways. May 19, 2017 pakistans ancient shiva temple at katas raj has a rich nonhindu heritage, now lost forever astronomer albiruni did some of his greatest work here while guru nanak was also a visitor. Check map from lahore to katas raj temple for clear directions. As such they constitute one of the most important hindu pilgrimage sites in pakistan and are still in use to this day by members of the hindu community both in the. It is the considered as the main temple, an important hindu pilgrimage site and the second oldest location. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Basically, katas raj is a temple complex consisting seven ancient temples called satgraha, some. Who is responsible for the drying up of the mythical pond at the katas raj temple.
Commons is a freely licensed media file repository. But despite the importance of the temple for minority hindu community in pakistan, the pakistan punjab government has been unable to save the pond which has dried down and is on the verge of extinction. It is believed by the followers that this particular complex was constructed at a place that was visited by pandawa brothers of the great indian eptc mahabharta. There is a brahmanical story which says that shiva was so inconsolable over the death of his wife sati that the tears literally rained from his eyes and ultimately transformed into a holy pool outside thekatas raj temple. Surrounded by blue skies and dense vegetation, the temples stand in reverence to the gods and goddesses of hindu mythology. The height of the katas is more than 2000 feet above sea level. Heres some practical information in case you plan to visit katas raj temples soon.
The complex is located in the potohar plateau region of pakistan. Sep 26, 2012 katas raj temples it is situated about 40 kilometers from the city of chakwal making it a popular tourist place among people of chakwal. The complex is located in the potohar plateau region of pakistans punjab province. Overview katasraj mandir punjabi, is a hindu temple complex situated in katas village near choa saidanshah in the chakwal district of punjab in pakistan. Katas raj temples, near katas village, punjab, pakistan. However the katas raj temple near chakwal in northern punjab province is beautiful for several reasons, and not. The historical katas raj temple near chakwal is one of the most important sites for pakistans hindu community and is used till this day by locals and hindus who travel from abroad for the annual pilgrimage. The name katas raj temple is derived from kataksha, a sanskrit word meaning tearful eyes. Bringing religions and histories together the pond has been subjected to expansive media attention as well. Interestingly, this happened almost a month back, no one got to know. Pakistans ancient shiva temple at katas raj has a rich nonhindu heritage, now lost forever astronomer albiruni did some of his greatest work here while guru nanak was also a visitor.
May 08, 2018 pak sc closes katas raj temple pond case. Katas raj temple is found concerning sixteen kilometers 10 miles from kallar kahar on the road between kallar kahar and choa saidan crowned head, in district chakwal of province punjab, pakistan. The return distance between lahore to katas raj temple is 267 km. One of these temples is the katas raj temple, or qila katas as it is locally known. The katas raj complex along the m2 motorway, near the town of kallar kahar, lies a piece of our forgotten history. The suo moto case of the katas raj temple pond daily times. Explore katas raj temple profile at times of india for photos, videos and latest news of katas raj temple. I called it the hidden shame to put more emphasis on the people to talk about this problem.
In pakistans katas raj, an ancient shiva temple has a rich. Linga was the chief practice in the shivas supporter. Pakistan sc says govt failed to save katas raj temple. We recommend booking katas raj temples tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Needless to say, these temples have stood the test of time and are still present after 1500 years. Katas raj temples had always been on my list of places to visit. Along with it, estimate travel time from lahore to katas raj temple to calculate the time you will spend travelling. Apr 30, 2015 katas raj mandir is a hindu temple located in choa saidan shah, chakwal. Katas rajs beautiful pond has dried d own because the stream that used to fill it up is almost finishedgone.
The supreme court has been pursuing the matter for a number of years. Katas raj was an important temple in hinduism standing as locus of center for hindu pilgrims. Katas raj temple complex is a sad monument to pakistans unease with its hindu heritage the ancient religious site in punjab has been a barometer of indiapakistan relations in the last decade. The sacred waters of the katas raj temples the express tribune. The katas raj temples near chakwal in punjab province of pakistan are attributed to the eras of the hindu shahis kings dating from about. One night i got a call from a few friends, asking if i wanted to go with them to visit the site.
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