Katas Raj Mandar, Chakwal

Katas Raj is a medieval city sacred to the Hindus and lies approximately 5 km west of Choa Saidan Shah along the Choa-Kallar Kahar route. Its significance is due to the presence of over 100 temples that were built by its Hindu Rajas over a period more than 1000 years. While some temples may be in disrepair, many of them are well-maintained. This town is frequented by Hindu pilgrims from India and Pakistan. Katas Raj was once the University of repute. Katas Raj Mandir, a Hindu temple complex, is located in Katas village close to Choa Saidanshah (Chakwal district in Punjab). The temple is dedicated to Shiva. According to Hindu legend, it has been there since Mahabharata’s time. The Pandava brothers spent a significant part of their exile here. Later, Krishna laid the foundation for the temple and establiKatas Chakwal shed Shivling. The temple pond began to dry up in 2012 due to the heavy industrial use of groundwater. The Katas Raj mandirs can be found 40 km from Chakwal District. Nearby is also a very old village, known as Dulmial. Although the smaller temples were built in pairs around a larger central temple, they were constructed around 900 years ago. However, the oldest of them dates back to at least the second half of the 6th Century AD. When the Hindus emigrated to East Punjab in 1947, they abandoned the temple complex and no one returned. The relationship between Hindus and the local Muslim population was excellent. Local Muslims even accompanied them in the next town Choa Saiden Shah, from which they traveled further to India. This has been a place of pilgrimage for Hindus since ancient times. According to Hindu beliefs, Shiva spent his marital years here. Sati died and Shiva was left with grief. The pilgrims then bathe in the sacred pool to seek forgiveness. Today, all faiths of Hinduism make pilgrimage to the mandir. It was believed that the pond could reach infinite depths until recently. The Katas site contains the Satgraha, seven ancient temples that were once part of a Buddhist stupa. There are also a few medieval temples and havelis, as well as some newly constructed temples. They are scattered around a sacred pond, which Hindus consider holy. Most of the temples at Katas were built on square platforms. The sub shrines appear to be elevated on a series cornices that are topped by a dome ribbed. The Ramachandra Mandir, which is located to the east from the Hari Singh Haveli, is sealed from all sides with the exception of an east-facing entrance. Sacred lake and other temples. 129 Different views of the sacred lake and other temples. Pen & Ink by Nazir Ahmed (TI), Katas Raj Temples. 131 Recently restored monuments. Watercolour by Nazir Ahmed (TI) Ramachandare Mandir and Haveli of Hari Singh Nalwa at Katas. 139 A carved door of the Hari Singh Nalwa’s Haveli. Rainwater disposal unit via Bairagi house. 140| Rain water disposal unit. 141 142 143 144 145 staircase at the south leading to the first floor. Two jharokas (balconies), have been severely damaged in the mandir. The Hanuman Mandir can be found at the western extremity of a rectangular enclosure high enough to accommodate entrances from the south and north. The temple’s ceiling has been lime-plastered and is unadorned. Also, the Shiva temple was built on a square platform. The entrance to the temple is a rectangular opening to its north and features a recessed circular arch with faint cusps. It is believed that the Katas Raj temple complex dates back to the Mahabharata period. The temples have many legends. Five Pandava brothers, the heroes of Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, spent four years in this temple during their 13 year exile. It is believed that the lake is filled with Shiva’s tears, thus has magical powers. This is also where Yudhisthira defeated Yaksha with wisdom and brought his brothers back to their feet. Another legend concerns Shiva’s death. According to the legend, he cried so hard and so long after his wife died that he created two holy ponds at Pushkara (India) as well as one at Ketaksha in Pakistan. This literally means “raining eyes”. This is how the name Katas was derived. Another legend refers to the two pools at Katas Raj or Nainital. Another version of the Shiva legend mentions the death of Shiva’s horse Katas, rather than that of Sati his wife. Legends claim that Katas was the birthplace of the first Shiva Ling (Sihvling). Old manuscripts consider Katas to be the janam Bhoomi (birthplace), of Hindu incarnation Rama and that of Ayodhya. However, this is now controversial. An evening at Katas Raj. |147 148| Mural decoration. 149 A view from the archway of the haveli. A seetion of the Katas Raj monuments. 151 A panoramic view of the Katas Raj and its environs.

These items were found to be identical to the ones excavated in Harappa. However, experts have not been able to date them. There is still a lot of archaeological treasure under the fascinating Salt Range. Prehistoric finds have also been found in the Salt Range. Although some experts believe that the fossils were discovered between 6000 and 7000 BC, it is not known if they have been examined by palaeontologists of international standing. Some sites have found large numbers of bones from the limbs, and vertebrae, of extinct giant animals that resemble the extinct mammoth or dinosaur. One writer says that the entire area’s low mountains appears to have been fossilized. This exposes to the naked eye layers upon layers of various soils and plants. The temple complex had been in a poor state for decades. The holy pond was clogged with trash, and the murals within the temples were lost to time and neglect. Hari Singh Haveli (Katas) The Katas Hindu temple complex, located in Chakwal, Punjab, dates back at most to the 10th century AD/CE. Paras Nath Jogi died here. Nanak Ji, the founder of Sikhism, had also visited Katas. This area was also known as “Nanaknawas”. It was the place of contemplation for many groups of ascetics, mystics, and Jogis. AlBeruni learned Sanskrit at Katas and wrote the famous “Kitab-ul-Hind”. Today, Hindu pilgrims travel from India to regularly visit the temple to worship. The Haveli of Hari Singh Nalwa is a multi-storied structure. At Katas, is also a small fortified mansion or traditional ‘haveli’ which goes by the name of ‘Hari Singh Nalwa di Haveli’ (the Haveli/Mansion of Hari Singh Nalwa). This Hari Singh, a prominent Sikh general and administrator, was governor of Kashmir and Hazara during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign. He also served as one of the bulwarks for the Sikh regime of Punjab. His death at Jamrud in Pashtun tribal regions was a significant setback for Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s power and the Sikhs generally. Local information suggests that this Katas ‘haveli’, named after Hari Singh was built sometime between 10-12 years before his death. It is believed that he used the holy site to visit and stayed there, and that he constructed it as both a garrison for this sacred site. The current knowledge about the area is limited, and locals and government seem equally inept and disinterested.