Shri Katas Raj Temples

The Shri Katas Raj Temples are a collection of Hindu temples linked together by walkways. The temple complex is built around Katas Pond, which Hindus consider to be sacred. The complex is located in Pakistan's Punjab province's Potohar Plateau region. The temples are close to the town of Choa Saidanshah and the M2 Motorway.

According to the Puranas, the temple's pond was produced by Shiva's teardrops when he wandered the Earth inconsolably after the loss of his wife Sati. The pond covers two kanals and 15 marlas and has a maximum depth of 20 feet.

The Katas site is home to the Satgraha, a collection of seven ancient temples, the remains of a Buddhist stupa, five additional medieval temples, and Havelis strewn around a Hindu-honored pond.

Katas' temples are generally built on square platforms. The sub-shrines' elevation appears to form a succession of cornices with short rows of pillars, capped by a ribbed dome. The seven temples were designed in the style of Kashmiri temples, with dentils, fluted pillars, trefoil arches, and pointed rooflines.

The Shri Katas Raj Temples are mentioned in the Hindu epic poem, the Mahabhrata, and are usually thought to represent the location where the Pandava brothers spent a considerable portion of their exile. It is also thought by Hindus to be the location of the brothers' riddle contest with the Yakshas, as related in the Yaksha Prashna. Another legend has it that the Hindu deity Krishna built the temple and installed a hand-carved inside.

Lal Krishna Advani, India's former deputy prime minister, visited the temples in 2005. The Pakistani government began repair work on the temples in 2006, with additional upgrades announced in 2017.

Location: Choa Saidanshah, Punjab, Pakistan