History

History[edit]

The smaller temples, built in pairs around the larger central temple, were built around 900 years or so ago, although the earliest of them dates back to the latter half of the 6th century AD.^[3]

The temple complex was abandoned by Hindus when they migrated to East Punjab in 1947 and no one stayed back. The relationship of Hindus with local muslim population was very good. Local Muslims even accompanied them to next town Choa Saiden Shah from where the Katas hindu population proceeded further to India. It has always been the site of holy pilgrimage for people of Hindu faith. It is believed that Shiva lived the years of his marital life with Sati here, afterSati's death grief took over him and from his tears a pond was formed.The pilgrims bathe in the sacred pool and seek forgiveness as Hindu belief holds that bathing in the pond (especially on certain occasions) leads to the forgiveness of sins and helps attain salvation. Until recently, it was believed that the pond had unlimited depth. Even nowadays, worshippers of all Hindu faiths perform pilgrimage to the mandir.

The two semi-ruined temples of the Hindushahiya period (650–950 AD) have been frequently photographed by newspapers and history journals.