5000 Years Old History Katas Raj Temples, Chakwal (Part 1/2) || Sathgarh Temples || Katas Shiv Tears

Katas Raj Temples, Chakwal || History of Katas Raj

The Katas Raj Temples Documentary consisting of 2 parts, this is part 1. link of part 2 Given below.

   • 5000 Years Old History Katas Raj Temples, ...  

The boundaries of Chakwal have thousands of years of history preserved within them, the Katas Raj located in Chakwal Tehsil Choa Saidan Shah has a history of 5000 years ago. Katas Raj is the second major holy place of Hindus. Katas Raj complex is 25 km from Kalar kahar, 150 km from Islamabad, while 280 km from Lahore. There are many temples at this place, which are so ancient that their history goes back thousands of years to Maha Bharat.

In the Katas Raj we get to see the historical heritage that highlights the historical importance of the period of Hindu kings. Katas is situated at an altitude of 2200 feet above sea level. Its real name is 'Kat ksha' and in Sanskrit it means 'pound of tears'. In the 'Mahabharat' it is called the 'Pool of the Universe'. Katas was also the capital of the Hindu Sinha kingdom. The Katas kingdom is associated with the Hindu God Shiva. This place is still very sacred for Hindus and they often travel here not only from Pakistan but also from other countries. Al-Biruni is also believed to have spent some time learning Sanskrit at Katas and there used to be a 'university of languages' here. History Found Evidence of Al-Biruni's stay here in 'Kitab-Al-Hind'. During this time, Al Biruni also conducted various experiments and succeeded in determining the radius of the earth. Katas is also sacred to people of other faiths. 'Parasnath Jogi' also breathed his last at the same place and his memorial is still in the government school premises next to Katas. Jagat Guru Nanak also stepped in this place on the day of 'Vaisakh' and this place is also known as 'Nanak Niwas'.
Katas is also said to be the birth place of Hindu God 'Shiva'. Also, from the stories of the Brahmins, we find that this place is named after 'Shiva' and Shiva wept so much over the death of his wife 'Sati' that the rain of tears formed a pond which is still in Katas today. exists and people call it 'holy pond'
The water of Katas pond is nectar for Hindus. Bathing in the water of this pond washes away all sins according to their belief, followers of Hinduism believe that this pond was made of Shiva's tears. A tear from Shiva's right eye fell in Ajmer Pushkar in Rajasthan and became a large pond and a tear from his left eye fell into Katas and turned into a pond.

The oldest book of Hindus 'Rigveda' is written in katas and consists of eighteen volumes which is one of the great epics of the world called 'Mahabharata'. This book was written around 300 BC but some Hindu scholars believe that it was written around 1300 BC. In this book, Katas are explained in great detail. In the first book of the Rigveda, it is said that a small river used to flow below the pool of Katas. While British archaeologists believe that this pond was formed due to natural springs. From 'Tazkra Jhelum' it is known that this pond is man made which was made by cutting stones. Its length is 122 feet and it is surrounded by a 19 feet long and strong wall. According to General Alexander Kuningham, Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (1872-73), the depth of the pool is 23 feet. Whereas according to Hindus the depth is infinite. In the history of Gurjakh, it was mentioned that there are many streams of water under this pond.
Satgarh literally means 'seven houses'. These temples of Katas Raj are located on hilltops and long staircases have been built to access them, while in many places there are traces of old staircases. At present, there are 5 temples here while the remains of two are there. The largest of these temples is the one in the middle which is the oldest of them all. All these temples reflect the Kashmiri style of architecture. The construction of these temples suggests that these temples were built between the 7th century AD and the 10th century AD. An idol with three heads and four hands was also found from this place

The second temple is 'Ganeshji Maharaj' (God of Truth), the third temple is 'Shivalingam Maharaj', the fourth temple is 'Kali Mata', the fifth temple is 'Parvati' (wife of Shivaji Maharaj), the sixth temple is 'Lakshmi Devi' (Goddess of wealth). ) are of These temples were built during the reign of the 'Hindu Shahi Kings'.
'Ramachandra Ka Mandir' is situated on the eastern side of Hari Singh Haveli. The two storied building has eight rooms, stairs on the south side of the ground floor leading to the first floor, the temple has two balconies. The 'Hanuman' temple is located on the western side. The dome of this temple has snake shapes which are made in a special order and it is a reflection of the Hindu civilization.

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