Prem Grover 22 hrs · SHRI KATAsRAJ TEMPLE COMpLEX (The Hindu Heritage in Pakistan) Shri Katasraj Temple Complex is situated 40 kilometers from Chakwal District. It takes little efforts to reach Shri Katasraj Temple Complex by road—one has to go off the M-2 motorway (Islamabad-Lahore) at the Kallar Kahar interchange. Then follow the road to Choa Saidan Shah for 24 K.m. and after passing the cement factory the road passes through the Temple Complex. Shri Katasraj Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and belongs to Mahabharata Era. When the Goddess Sati died, her husband Shiva was distraught as only a God could be. He wept inconsolably that the tears flowed as rain from his eyes. The two streams from the divine eye formed two pools. One pool is situated in Pushkar Raj in Ajmer (Rajasthan State) India and the other is located in the vicinity of Shri Katasraj Temple Complex i.e. village Katas, District Chakwal (Punjab Province) Pakistan. The Pandava Brothers stayed here for four years out of the 14 years that they spent in exile. The water of this Sacred Pool/ Amar Kund has magical power where Yudhishtra defeated the Yaksha with his wisdom to bring his brothers back to life. It has always been the site of Holy Pilgrimage for people of various faiths. The Pilgims bathe in the Sacred Pool/Amar Kund and seek Forgiveness of Sins which helps them to attain salvation. In 3 rd century BCE, on the order of King Ashoka, a Buddhist Stupa was raised in the surrounding area of Shri Katasraj Temple Complex. The famous Chinese Traveler Mr. Xuanzang visited Shri Katasraj Temple Complex in the year 631 has also elucidated about this Stupa in his Journey Log. Every year only 200 Pilgrims (twice in a year) are allowed to visit Shri Katasraj Dham, District Chakwal Pakistan as per India Pakistan Bilateral Protocol. Prem Grover, Journalist, Freelancer,
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 05:07:18 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015