Since the partition of India, the state of Hindu temples in Pakistan has steadily deteriorated. Many temples have been razed to make way for retail malls, while others have been encroached upon. However, many temples remain safe because to Pakistani Hindus’ fortitude and tenacity. One of these is the Katasraj temple, which dates back 5000 years.
History
The Katasraj temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the most sacred temples of Hindus. There is a mythological belief that despite Lord Shiva’s refusal, Mother Sati went to her father Daksha Prajapati’s yagya. Where Daksha Prajapati insulted Lord Shiva. Mother Sati could not bear the insult of Lord Shiva and jumped into the yagya kund and was reduced to ashes. Lord Shiva was extremely saddened by this incident. His tears started flowing due to grief. One drop of these tears fell in Katasraj while the other drop fell in Pushkar, a pilgrimage site in Rajasthan. A kund was formed there due to the fall of Lord Shiva’s tear in Katasraj. This pond is known as Kataksh Kund. This pond is still located in Katasraj. It is believed that all sins are washed away by taking a bath in this pond.
The Katasraj Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of Hinduism’s most revered temples. According to mythology, despite Lord Shiva’s denial, Mother Sati attended her father Daksha Prajapati’s yagya. Daksha Prajapati offended Lord Shiva. Mother Sati, unable to tolerate Lord Shiva’s insult, jumped into the yagya kund and was turned to ashes. This incident made Lord Shiva immensely sorrowful. His tears flowed from grief. One of these tears fell at Katasraj, while the other in Pushkar, a pilgrimage place in Rajasthan. A kund was produced as a result of Lord Shiva’s tear falling in Katasraj. It is claimed that taking a bath at this pond cleanses one’s sins.
It is stated that Himalaya King Daksh Prajapati made derogatory remarks about Lord Shiva, which led to the pond’s name being changed to Kataksha Kund and the location becoming known as Kataksharaj. However, it was later distorted and became Katasraj, and it is currently exclusively known by this name. This pond was also mentioned throughout the Mahabharata period. On the banks of this pond occurred the most famous episode of the Mahabharata period, known as ‘Yaksha Prashna’.
The Mahabharata describes the Pandavas’ travels throughout their exile. They were thirsty at the time, so Yudhishthira despatched his youngest brother Sahadeva to get some water. Kataksh Kund was the name of the pond near which Sahadeva went to gather water. As soon as Sahadeva walked to the pond to get water, he heard a voice. Sahadeva was told by the voice that if he wanted water, he needed to answer questions. But Sahadeva ignored the voice and began sipping water. As a result, he passed out right away. Similarly, Nakul, Arjuna, and Bhima went to seek water and were unconscious. Finally Yudhishthira arrived and answered all of Yaksha’s inquiries.
Yaksha’s queries and Yudhishthira’s responses were as follows:
Yaksha’s question: What is heavier than the earth but higher than the sky? Yudhishthira’s response: Mother is heavy than the earth, whereas Father is higher than the sky.
Yaksha’s question: What moves quicker than wind and has a higher number than straws? Yudhishthira’s response: The mind travels faster than the wind, and the quantity of anxieties is greater than straws.
Yaksha’s question: Who is the patient’s friend, and who is the friend of someone who is dying? Yudhishthira’s response: The doctor is the patient’s friend, and charity is the friend of someone who is dying.
Following this, Yaksha asked Yudhishthira which of his four brothers he would like to see alive. Yudhishthira said that I, one of Mother Kunti’s sons, am still alive. As a result, one of Madri’s sons, Nakul, should also survive. Hearing Yudhishthira’s remarks, Yaksha grew ecstatic and appeared in his true form as Dharmaraj, saying, “O Yudhishthira, I am overjoyed with your thoughts.” So now I’m bringing all your brothers to life.
Architecture
The Katasraj temple consists of a set of Satgrahas, or seven ancient temples. Aside from this, five more medieval temples have been built here. A total of 12 temples are mentioned on the banks of Kataksh Kund. The platforms of the Katasraj temple are designed in rectangular shapes. Churidar pillars were placed on top of these platforms, and striped domes were installed on top of them. The seven ancient temples were erected in the same architectural style as Kashmiri temples, with toothed and corrugated pillars, three-leafed arches, and dome-shaped roofs. According to tradition, the Pandavas erected the ancient temples of Katas Raj. At the same time, historians believe the Khatana Gurjar dynasty erected or restored this shrine in the seventh century.
Ramchandra Temple is also located within Katasraj Temple. Its entrance is on the east, and the temple is closed on the other three sides. This temple has two storeys. The first story has eight rooms, and there is a stairway from the south side to the second floor. There are also two balconies in the temple that are currently badly damaged. At the same time, a south-facing Hanuman temple is being built in the temple’s western section. As with the other temples, this one is built on a rectangular platform. The temple has entrances on both the south and north sides.
Present Condition
The condition of India’s oldest Hindu temple has deteriorated steadily since the split. The idols carved into the temple’s walls were similarly in poor condition. Even the hallowed Kataksh Kund was littered with rubbish. throughout 2005, former Deputy Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Lal Krishna Advani paid a visit to this temple, as well as others throughout Pakistan. One year after Advani’s visit, in 2006, the Pakistani government proposed renovating the temples. Following this, the temple’s state steadily changed.
The Pakistani government allocated a specific budget for temples and installed 7 idols in 7 historic temples within this temple complex. Some of the idols were transported from India, while others came from Nepal and Sri Lanka. The temple was repaired, but by 2012, the pond was set to dry out. The cement mill near the temple caused the pond to dry up.
Actually, the cement industry was extracting water from this pond for its own use. Because the pond has a shallow depth and no additional source of water to fill it. This pond gets its water naturally. The condition of the pond was becoming pathetic due to the continuous taking of water by the cement factory. In such a situation, the Pakistani Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance and heard the case and then reprimanded the factory and banned the use of the water of the pond.
During this time, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had said, “This temple is not only a place of cultural importance for Hindus, but is also a part of our national heritage. We have to protect it.” Not only this, the court had also expressed concern about the idols in the temple. The court had raised questions about the absence of idols in the temple. It also asked why there were no idols in the Shri Ram and Hanuman temple? The lawyer appearing on behalf of the Pakistan government held the Waqf Board responsible for this.
The picturesque view of this oldest temple of Hindus and the beautiful pond made of Lord Shiva’s tears makes one feel the presence of God in the temple premises. Even today, local Hindu devotees visit this temple for darshan. Apart from this, a group of devotees from India also visit this temple on Mahashivratri. The condition of the temple is gradually improving.
Where is the temple…
Katasraj Temple is located in the Namak Koh mountain range under Chakwal district of Punjab province of Pakistan. This area is part of Choa Saidan Shah Municipality Committee. Situated at an altitude of 2,000 feet, this temple is located about 100 kilometers by road from Tilla Jogian complex. Apart from this, Katasraj Temple can also be reached from the M2 motorway connecting Islamabad to Lahore via the interchange located near Kallar Kahar city.