Shri Katas Raj Temples: Pilgrimage for Maha Shivratri 2025
The Shri Katas Raj Temples, a cluster of temples located in the Chakwal district of Pakistan’s Punjab province, holds immense significance for Hindus. Believed to be the center of Sanatan Dharam, the temples are a revered pilgrimage site, especially around Maha Shivratri. Recently, the temples have been in the news as over a hundred Hindu pilgrims from India crossed the border to partake in the Maha Shivratri festivities.
Pilgrimage for Maha Shivratri
In February 2025, a group of 154 Indian pilgrims embarked on a week-long pilgrimage to Pakistan to celebrate Maha Shivratri at the Katas Raj Temples. The pilgrimage, organized by the Kendriya Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha, commenced on February 24th at the Attari-Wagah border. Pilgrims hailed from various Indian states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Visakhapatnam, with some arriving at Amritsar’s Durgiana Mandir before proceeding to the border.
Upon arrival in Lahore, the pilgrims were warmly welcomed by officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), members of the Pakistan Hindu Mandir Management Committee, and local Hindu leaders. Pilgrims expressed immense happiness and appreciation for the respect and hospitality they received in Pakistan. The main Maha Shivratri rituals were scheduled for February 26th at the Amarkund pond within the temple complex, followed by a ‘havan’, deepmala, and fireworks. The pilgrims’ itinerary also included visits to Gurdwara Dera Sahib and other significant Hindu temples in Lahore before their departure back to India on March 2nd.
Visa Facilitation and Challenges
The Pakistan High Commission issued 154 visas for this pilgrimage to facilitate the group’s travel. However, it was noted that while 175 applications were submitted, only 154 were approved, leaving some devotees disappointed at being denied visas at the last moment. Religious leaders like Pt Ribhu Kant Goswami appealed to both India and Pakistan to adopt a more liberal approach in granting visas to pilgrims, respecting their religious sentiments and the shared cultural heritage embodied by ancient temples like Katas Raj, especially considering many such sites were left in Pakistan after the Partition.
Significance of Katas Raj Temples
The Katas Raj Temples complex is not only historically significant but also deeply revered. The temples, dedicated to various Hindu deities, surround a sacred pond, Katas, believed to have been formed from Lord Shiva’s tears after the death of his wife Sati. Legend also associates the site with the Pandavas from the Mahabharata, who are said to have spent a part of their exile here. The temple complex, also known as Qila Katas [incorrect source, please verify], comprises seven temples known as Satgraha, adding to its spiritual and historical allure.