Indian Railway Complaint SMS 81212 81212

  Danube_River.pps   7.72MB

Katasraj temple is a Hindu temple situated in the Chakwal district of Punjab in Pakistan. Dedicated to Shiva, the temple has existed since the days of Mahabharata and the Pandava brothers spent a substantial part of their exile at the site. The Pakistan Government is considering nominating the temple complex for World Heritage Site status. It also proposes to spend about Rs 20 million in three phases for the restoration of the complex.

History

Most of the temples, located some 40 km from the modern cityof Chakwal in the Potohar region of northern Punjab in Pakistan, were built during the reign of Hindu kings. These several temples were built around 900years ago or more, although the earliest of the Katasraj temples dates back to the latter half of the 6th century A.D. Scholars believe that most of the temples were actually constructed when the Shahi kingdom, driven from Afghanistan when their ethnic cousin Mahmud of Ghanavi came to power, fled tothe region and set up base there.

The temple was abandoned by local Hindus when they migratedto East Punjab in 1947. It has always been the site of holy pilgrimage for people of various faiths. Even nowadays, worshippers from all faiths performpilgrimages to the temple every year and bathe in the sacred pool around which Katasraj is built. 

After Independence

The two semi-ruined temples of the Hindushahiya period(650-950 AD) have been frequently photographed by newspapers and history journals. The holy pond was littered with garbage, while the murals inside the temples disappeared due to the ravages of time and the neglect of the authorities.

Renovation by the Government of Pakistan

In 2006-07, Pakistan decided to place idols of Hindu gods inthe seven temples and restore them to their original state to attract visitors.The budget allocated for the project was Rs. 51.06 million. The temple was visited earlier by India's former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani. The government decided to import idols of Hindu gods from various monuments in Indiato Pakistan for the restoration. A three-member archaeological team visitedneighbouring India, Sri Lanka and Nepal to collect idols of Hindu gods.

Location

The Katasraj temples are located 40 kilometres from ChakwalDistrict. It takes a little effort to reach Katasraj by road - one has to go offthe M2 Motorway €“ (Islamabad €“ Lahore) at the Kallar Kahar interchange. Thenfollow the road to Choa Saiden Shah for 24 km. just past the cement factory theroad passes trough the temples complex, with the major temple complex and thepond on the right. It is a picturesque sight.

Architecture

The Katas site houses the Satgraha, a group of sevenancient temples, remains of a Buddhist Stupa, a few medieval temples, havelisand some recently constructed temples, scattered around a pond considered holyby Hindus. The temples at Katas are mostly constructed on square platforms. Theelevation of the sub shrines seems to form a series of cornices with small rowsof pillars, crowned by a ribbed dome.

The Ramachndra temple is situated to the east of the HariSingh Haveli and is closed from all sides except for an entrance on the east.The double-storied structure has eight rooms of various dimensions on the groundfloor and a staircase at the south leading to the first floor. The temple hastwo jharokas (balconies) that have been severely damaged.

The Hanuman temple is on the western extreme of a highrectangular enclosure with entrances on the south and the north. The temple'sceiling is undecorated, and lime-plastered. The Shiva temple is also built on asquare platform. Its entrance is a recessed round arch with faint cusps and arectangular opening to the north.

Katasraj temple complex is believed to date back to theMahabharata era. There are stories about the Pandavas spending time there duringtheir long exile. The lake in the complex is believed to have magical powers andsupposed to be where Yudhisthira defeated the Yaksha with his wisdom to bringhis brothers back to life.

Legends

Many legends are associated with the temples, some of theminvolving Shiva himself. Legend says that the five Pandava brothers, heroes ofthe Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, stayed here for four out of the 14 years thatthey spent in exile.

Another legend involves the death of Shiva's wife Satti, thestory goes that when she died he cried so much and for so long that his tearscreated two holy ponds - one at Pushkara in Ajmer and the other at Ketaksha,which literally means "raining eyes" in Sanskrit. It is from this name that theword Ketas is derived. Another version of the legend mentions the two pools atKatasraj and Nainital.

Another legend involves the death of Shiva's horse Katas;the story goes that when that horse died he cried so much and for so long thathis tears created two holy ponds - one at Pushkara in Ajmer and the other atKetaksha, which literally means "raining eyes" in Sanskrit. It is from this namethat the word Ketas is derived. Another version of the legend mentions the two pools at Katasraj and Nainital.People bathe in that holy pond and seek for giveness as Hindu belief holds that bathing in the pond (especially oncertain occasions) causes the forgiveness of sins and helps attain salvation.Many people believe that this will come from bathing in the pond at any time.Depth of this holy pond is still a mystery.

Prehistoric tools andweapons

Prehistoric tools and weapons such as axes and knives madeof granite, and artifacts like terracotta bangles and pottery have beenunearthed at the Katasraj site. The latter have been found to be similar tothose excavated in Harappa, but have not been dated for want of expert opinion from abroad. The fascinating Salt Ranges have a vast archaeological treasure still hidden underground. Exploratory work that could expose evidence of an ancient civilisation here needs to be undertaken.

The Salt Ranges have also been yielding prehistoric finds.While some local experts place the fossils discovered in the period between 6000and 7000 BC, the fact remains that they have not yet been examined by trainedpalaeontologists from the West. A large number of bones of the limbs andvertebrae of giant animals resembling the extinct mammoth and dinosaur have beenfound at some sites. €œAn entire range of low mountains in the area appears tobe fossilised, revealing to the naked eye layer upon layer of a variety ofplants and soils,€ says one writer.

Kallar KaharLake