Hello, Local Guides Family,
Punjab (Land of the Five Rivers) is the largest province of Pakistan by population and 56% of the total population of Pakistan reside here. Punjab is famous for its rich culture and diverse history where multiple religions coexist in the past and continue in contemporary times too.
Today I am taking you to one of the holy sites of Hinduism situated in Punjab, Pakistan. KatasRaj Temple is located in Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan.
It was my first visit to the place which was on the top of my wish list. And fortunately, I got the chance to visit Chakwal for my work, so I did not miss the chance to explore this amazing place.
We started our journey from Islamabad. It was a 2:30 minute ride on the bus among the beautiful scenery of green and Rocky Mountains of the Potohar region, lakes and cultivated lands as well.
Katas Raj Temples is one of the most important and largest Hindu Temples in Pakistan. It dates back to the 5th Century AD, built during Hindu Royal Period.
The amazing Katas Raj Temple Situated within the embrace of the Salt Range near Kallar Kahar, Punjab, this splendid complex of temples dedicated to "Lord Ram, Lord Hanuman, and Lord Shiva" is laid around a natural pond.
The name ‘Katas Raj’ comes from kataksha which means tearful eyes in Sanskrit. In Hindu mythology "The pond, the faithful believers, was created from a teardrop of the weeping Lord Shiva as he flew across the sky holding the dead body of his wife Sati. He shed two tears, one creating this pond, the other falling and making a pond in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The Pandavas came to this place during their exile, the legend goes, and built some of the older temples, and it is said that after the death of his wife Satti, Lord Shiva cried and this pond emerged.’
Hindu pilgrims take bath in the pond believed to get rid of their past sins and seek forgiveness for their mistakes and miseries of life.
There is "Satgarha Mandir" at Katas Raj Temples and it is believed that the famous Pandwa Brothers of Mahabharata visited KatasRaj and lived here during the exile period. Satgarha in English means Seven Temples. Historical records suggest many of the temples, constructed in the Kashmiri architectural tradition, came up in the 11th century CE, when this region, along with parts of Punjab, fell under a Kashmiri kingdom.
Here is My Google Maps Review where I added some necessary information about Katas Raj Temple and shared it here as well.
Accessibility Features
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- A levelled pathway is leading to the site which is accessible for wheelchair bound people but monuments on the hills are approached by stairs there is no wheelchair access
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- The main entrance is accessible.
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- The secondary entrance was accessible.
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- The washroom/toilets were not accessible.
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More Info about Katas Raj Temples ;
- There is no entry fee.
- It get hot during the day sun gets closer in summer and in winter it is freezing cold
3.They have two site guides who know the history well
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The government of Pakistan is now working with India to allow Hindu people to visit their worshipping place. Hindus come to visit KatasRaj twice a year. Lately, in December a group of Hindu pilgrims from India visited KatasRaj. The Government of Punjab is building an accommodation facility for the future to facilitate the pilgrims while visiting KatasRaj. So maybe shortly, we can meet our Indian Local Guides friends at Katas Raj Temples easily.
For detailed view and high resolution visuals of the site please watch this video on my YouTube Channel.
This post is part of the challenge Gems of the World - A Connect Travel Post Challengestarted by @KashifMisidia
#GemsOfTheWorld #ConnectTravelChallenge
