Katas Raj Temple
The Katas Raj temples were built in the 7th century near Chakwal in Punjab. The temples are located at an altitude of 2,000 feet and surrounded by the hills of Salt Range.
The temple complex dates back to 615-950 CE, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It consists of seven temples also called ‘Satgrah’ connected to one another by walkways. These temples are the masterpiece of art which are built dramatically on a hilly surface.
The temples are considered to be the second most sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus in the historic Punjab region, after the temple at Jwalamukhi in modern Himachal Pradesh.
The location of the Sath Ghara or Seven Temples was constructed to commemorate the visit of the Pandawas brothers of “Mahabharta” fame who made it their home during their 12 year exile.
According to Hindu Beliefs, The pond of the temples’ was created from Shiva’s teardrops. A Brahmanical beleives relates this site directly to Shiva, whose inconsolable grief at the death of his wife Sati led to a rain of tears which formed two pools of water, one at Pushkara near Ajmer and the other at Katas.
