Over 200 Hindu pilgrims from India arrive in Lahore for Katas Raj Dham celebrations

Lahore [Pakistan], Feb.22 (ANI): Over 200 Hindu pilgrims from India arrived in Lahore on Wednesday through the Wagha Border to participate in the "Shree Katas Raj Dham" celebrations at Katasraj Temples in District Chakwal. According to a Radio Pakistan report, the "celebrations of Mahashivratri Punjn, Holy Bath in Shree Amarkund and Deep Mela will be held at Shree Katas Raj on Friday. Katasraj Mandir is a Hindu temple complex situated in Katas village near Choa Saidanshah in the Chakwal district of Punjab in Pakistan. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple has, according to Hindu legend, existed since the days of Mahabharata. The Pandava brothers are said to have spent a substantial part of their exile at the site and later LOrd Krishna himself laid the foundation of this temple and established his hand made Shivling in it. The Pakistan Government is considering nominating the temple complex for World Heritage Site status. In 2007, it also proposed to restore the temple complex. In 2012, the temple pond is drying up due to heavy use of ground water for industrial purposes. In January 2017, Pakistani authorities began installation of shikharas on the temples. (ANI)