Exploring the 6th Century Katas Raj Temple in Chakwal District

Manifestation has a strong force to become a reality. I remember that years back, i manifested of visit to 6th Century's Katas Raj Temple located in Salt Range Chakwal in Pakistan.

We planned so many times to visit this beautiful surreal temple, but every time luck didn't have it. Time kept on passing, and my travel partner wasn't in Pakistan. He moved to another country, and my tours came to a pause.

This time, my cousin is studying in a cadet college in the same city where the temple is located. Infact, his cadet college islocated adjacent to the temple. Look how fascinating the life is! It always make ways for your wishes.

Buckle up, now i am starting to narrate my travel journey. My cousin Daniyal, being aware of my hobby that i love history and historical places, proposed this idea to me to join them on their way back to cadet college. I thought it would be really nice to go and visit both his cadet college and my dreamy historical destination Katas Raj temple.

After two and half hours of car drive, we were at our destination. Extremely hot day... Sun was explicity angry over the region. Above all, we both, Daniyal and I, were wearing black dresses.

Katas Raj Temple is a large complex of temple that dates back to 6th century. It is one of the sacred and holiest temple in Hinduism.

It is believed that the pond of water was made with the tears of Lord Shiva when he mourned at the demise of her beloved wife Satti.

We met a Pandit over there. He treated us really nice as he is friend of our uncle. He accompanied us with a person who had the keys of every room and chamber. He ordered him to facilitate us during our visit. Let's call that person "tour guide" who guided us throughout the temple.

Here's the inside view of Old Room of Pandit that also dates to centuries back.

Daniyal captured some of my pictures.

In the complex, there are twelve temples in total. Different time periods of history witnessed change and modifications in the structure of the complex.

Beautiful floral motifs were adding the beauty to the walls. Time is proving itself to be the master over these walls as the prints are fading away.

We were standing in a balcony type structure and looking down at the pond. The view of pond and the overall complex was magical.

Believe me, the Sun was the biggest halt in the exploration of the temple. Heat was catching us like fire. As if we were sitting on a stove.

Now i understand the words of John Keats :
A Thing of Beauty is Joy Forever.

The history, the art, the grand style, the artefacts, the bond preserved in the heritage is indeed joy forever and solace of heart for millions.

The guider warned us not to go further as there could be a snake or any other wild animal that could harm us. But, we were unstoppable.

We kept on walking until a point came when Daniyal was extremely tired. I let him go down and sit on a bench while i kept on walking in the complex.

Now i was alone.... Looking at the architecture. A sense of surprise and sense of being haunted was mixed.

Inside the Hanuman Temple, I looked at the beautiful fresco work on the ceiling. It reminded me of the Mughal traditional architecture in the Subcontinent.

There was a room in the Haveli where some broken artefacts were kept.

I came down where Daniyal was sitting. He was looking at the person who was feeding fishes in the pond.

On the other side of the road, the reception building from the Ranjit Singh's Reign was locked. Adjacent to the reception building there's Cave of Pandoos who are mentioned in Mahabharata.

That's how our travel unfolded.

See you next 💫