Ketas Temple (Kallar Kahar)
Ketas Temple (Kallar Kahar)
It is located on the main road leading from Lake Kallar Kahar to Choa Saidan Shah and is not far from the Lake.Built in the 9th-11th century when the Salt Range was part of the powerful Hindu Kingdom of Kashmir, this large complex houses several temples most of which, unfortunately, are in a rather derelict condition. There is also a fortress surrounding a pool. Legend has it that the pool was formed by the tears of the Hindu God Shiva while weeping over his dead wife.
According to an Indian website I looked up, the pool reportedly has "magical powers" and is mentioned in the great Indian epic Mahabharata. The Katas Temple Complex used to be a major place of pilgrimage for the Hindus before the partition of India in 1947 and to this day several devotees visit it in spring every year.
There is talk that it may be placed on the World Heritage List and a joint India-Pakistan project to restore and renovate it is under discussion.
The Katas site houses the Satgraha, a group of seven ancient temples, remains of a Buddhist stupa, a few medieval temples, havelis and some recently constructed temples, scattered around a pond considered holy by Hindus. The temples at Katas are mostly constructed on square platforms. The elevation of the sub shrines seems to form a series of cornices with small rows of pillars, crowned by a ribbed dome.
The Ramachandra Mandir is situated to the east of the Hari Singh Haveli and is closed from all sides except for an entrance on the east. The double-storied structure has eight rooms of various dimensions on the ground floor and a staircase at the south leading to the first floor. The mandir has two jharokas (balconies) that have been severely damaged.
The Hanuman Mandir is on the western extreme of a high rectangular enclosure with entrances on the south and the north. The temple's ceiling is undecorated, and lime-plastered. The Shiva temple is also built on a square platform. Its entrance is a recessed round arch with faint cusps and a rectangular opening to the north.
Katasraj temple complex is believed to date back to the Mahabharata era. There are stories about the Pandavas spending time there during their long exile. The lake in the complex is believed to have magical powers and supposed to be where Yudhisthira defeated the Yaksha with his wisdom to bring his brothers back to life.
It is located on the main road leading from Lake Kallar Kahar to Choa Saidan Shah and is not far from the Lake.Built in the 9th-11th century when the Salt Range was part of the powerful Hindu Kingdom of Kashmir, this large complex houses several temples most of which, unfortunately, are in a rather derelict condition. There is also a fortress surrounding a pool. Legend has it that the pool was formed by the tears of the Hindu God Shiva while weeping over his dead wife.
According to an Indian website I looked up, the pool reportedly has "magical powers" and is mentioned in the great Indian epic Mahabharata. The Katas Temple Complex used to be a major place of pilgrimage for the Hindus before the partition of India in 1947 and to this day several devotees visit it in spring every year.
There is talk that it may be placed on the World Heritage List and a joint India-Pakistan project to restore and renovate it is under discussion.
The Katas site houses the Satgraha, a group of seven ancient temples, remains of a Buddhist stupa, a few medieval temples, havelis and some recently constructed temples, scattered around a pond considered holy by Hindus. The temples at Katas are mostly constructed on square platforms. The elevation of the sub shrines seems to form a series of cornices with small rows of pillars, crowned by a ribbed dome.
The Ramachandra Mandir is situated to the east of the Hari Singh Haveli and is closed from all sides except for an entrance on the east. The double-storied structure has eight rooms of various dimensions on the ground floor and a staircase at the south leading to the first floor. The mandir has two jharokas (balconies) that have been severely damaged.
The Hanuman Mandir is on the western extreme of a high rectangular enclosure with entrances on the south and the north. The temple's ceiling is undecorated, and lime-plastered. The Shiva temple is also built on a square platform. Its entrance is a recessed round arch with faint cusps and a rectangular opening to the north.
Katasraj temple complex is believed to date back to the Mahabharata era. There are stories about the Pandavas spending time there during their long exile. The lake in the complex is believed to have magical powers and supposed to be where Yudhisthira defeated the Yaksha with his wisdom to bring his brothers back to life.
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