Near the village of Katas Raj in the Punjab province of Pakistan stands an alluring complex of temples and sanctuaries. These structures form the Katas Raj Temples or the Katas Raj Temple Complex. It is a revered and sacred site for Hindus in Pakistan and all over the world.
History of Katas Raj Temples
Like all sacred sites, the history of the Katas Raj Temples is part of a mythological discourse.
The Katas Pond Legend
According to certain accounts, Lord Shiva stayed at the site where the temples now stand. He is said to be in mourning for the death of his wife, Sati. In this moment of mourning, he shed many tears, eventually becoming the pond of Katas, which surrounds the temples. The name of the temple is derived from the words “Kataksha,” which means “tearful eyes” – referring to the story of Lord Shiva. At times, it is also believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama.
It is also believed that the temple complex was built by the Pandhawa or Pandavas brothers of the Mahabharata. According to the Mahabharata, the Pandhawa were a group of five brothers. Although they belonged to the king Pandu, they are said to have been fathered by different Devas. The Pandhawa are said to have lost a bet to their Kauravas. In losing this bet, they lost their kingdom and went into exile for 13 years. It was in their exile that they built the temples.
The Katas Raj Architecture
When we attempt to move beyond the mythological explanations for the temples’ origins, things become a little blurry, as there are no accurate dates pertaining to their origins. Various estimates range from 66 BCE to the 7th century CE. Some of the lack of this historical date can be blamed on the Pakistani state, as many Hindu worship sites were neglected by the Pakistani State post-partition.
Architecturally, the site is diverse. There is, of course, the complex of seven temples. Each temple represents a deity from Hindu mythology. The temples are built in a square plan. Apart from the temples, there are remains of a Buddhist stupa, some havelis, medieval sanctuaries, and some newly built sanctuaries as well. The Buddhist stupas were apparently built in the 3rd BC by changing two temples into them. A travel account from a 7th-century Chinese traveler mentions the existence of “various Buddhist sites.”
There are many places to visit in the Katas Raj. One of the main attractions is the Shiv Maharaj Mandir, where the Hindu community comes to practice their religion through certain rituals. Another major attraction is the pond mentioned earlier – The Lake of Tears. It is a 150-meter-wide pond. Two species of fish are also found here – grass cutter fish and Gulfam fish. There is also a Mandir (temple) for marriages behind a police station. Many Hindus get married there. The Katas Raj region is also home. According to some accounts, this region had the only university in South Asia, and the scientist Al-Biruni is said to have studied there. However, there isn’t much historical evidence to back the claim.
Recently, the Katas Raj Temples and the area have suffered ecologically. The ponds have started to dry up, and industrialization near the area has affected water levels. The government has claimed to make efforts to restore and protect the ponds. Yet nothing final can be said, as one resident of Chakwal, Waseem Ahmed Raja, has suffered for speaking up for the Katas Raj temples. Instead of receiving help, he was shunned and received warrants against him. Although the government has now made vows to do something about the situation.
Ancient Hindu Temples in Pakistan
Apart from the Katas Raj temples, there are more temples in Pakistan as well—some quite ancient. One of them is the Krishna Temple in the city of Rawalpindi—Old Rawalpindi, to be precise. The temple was built in 1897 by Ujagar Mal Ram Richpal. It is the biggest temple in Rawalpindi, with a capacity to hold 2500 people. Major festivals of the Hindu community, such as Holi, are celebrated in this temple.
There is also the Sun Temple of Multan. Multan is an ancient city, and the mention of this temple can be found in the writings of a Greek admiral named Skylax, who was born in 515 BC. The Sun temples are believed to have been built by Samba, the son of Krishna. There are twelve Sun temples in the Indian Subcontinent – the one in Multan is the oldest. Al-Biruni also mentions the Sun temple of Multan in his writings.
In the province of Balochistan, in the Kheerthar hills, there is a naturally formed cave. The Hinglaj Mata temple is located in this cave. The temple receives many worshippers—thousands every year, even from India. As mentioned, the Hinglaj Mata is in a naturally formed area, so there is no carved man-made idol here; rather, a shapeless stone is worshipped. According to Hindu mythology, the temple was created here because the head of Sati—Shiva’s wife—fell at this site when she died.
There are many other temples in Pakistan, too. Many are ancient historical sites. These temples are important for many reasons. First, of course, because they are an essential part of the lives of Pakistan’s Hindu community. They are important to them not only as religious sites but also as places of cultural activity. Apart from that, they are also important because they are an important part of the history of Pakistan. They serve as cultural sites for the Hindu community and all people for whom history and culture matter.
In February 2025, the Government of Pakistan granted visas to over 100 Indian pilgrims to visit the Katas Raj temples, which also serve as sites of diplomacy and cultural harmony. Recently, the government has tried to preserve and enhance the sites to make the Hindu community feel more welcome. Although much is yet to be done, there is a long way forward.
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The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Paradigm Shift.
Shahalam Tariq is based in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. His writings on history, theory and literature have appeared in The Friday Times and Bazm e Dana. His poems have appeared in The Writers Sanctuary, Borderless Journal and Gentle Visitations.