KATHUA
Though
there is no detailed and fully documented history of Kathua district. It is
believed that One Jodh Singh a famous Rajput of Andotra clan migrated from
HASTINAPUR to KATHUA nearly 2000 years ago and settled here. The three Hamlets
of Taraf Tajwal, Taraf Manjali and Taraf Bhajwal were established by his three
sons Viz. Teju, Kindal and Bhaju. Their descendent are now called as Tajwalia,
Bhajwalia and Khanwalia Rajputs of Andotra sub-caste. The conglomeration of
these three hamlets was loosely called “KATHAI” in earlier times which with the
passage of time came to be called as KATHUA
Kathua is
distrit HQ. The town offers a fast blend of the past and present and fast
developing on modern lines. The town is also on the path of industrilization
and is presently next only to Jammu & Srinagar cities. The biggest
Industrial unit is CHENAB TEXTILES MILLS (A BIRLA GROUP).
DREAM, THE RECREATION PARK, KATHUA
A Beautiful
Recreation Park “The Dream” has come up along Kathua Canal over 24 Kanals of
Area, inaugurated by His Excellency The
Governor of J&K State Gen. (Retd) K.V. Krishna Rao on July 14, 1994. It has
been linked with a 1.5 Kms long black toppd road, which takes off from Canal
Bridge, Near District Offices Complex. Water rafting has also been introduced
with 2 boast provided by the Tourism Department.
UJH
BARRAGE
It
is a fast developing beautiful picnic spott. It is about 20 Kms from
Kathua. A bird sanctuary is being developed
on the bank of Ujh river. Ujh Barrage was commissioned in 1980-81 to provide
irrigation, potential to an additional area of district Kathua.
FORT OF JASROTA
& JASROTA TEMPLE
Once the seat of
imperial power was made a wazarat (district) of Jammu Provice when Gulab Singh
became the Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir in March’1846. During the regin of
Maharaja Ranbir Singh. Jasrota comprised 2 tehsils and 13 parganas. Jasrota was
founded by Raj Jas Dev of Jammu in 1019 AD and passed it on to his uncle Raja
karan Dev. The rulers of Jasrota though were Jamwals but were called Jasrotias
The ancient
temple of Maha Kali reconstructed a few years back has also emerged as a famous
pilgrimage center. The shrine of holy Goddess is situated on a hillock on the
outskirts of old jasrota village, 5 Kms from rajbagh on Jaammu-Kathua road
(National Highway) and 20 Kms from Kathua.
MATA SUNDRIKOTE
The Holy ancient
shrine of SHREE MATA
BALA SUNDARI JI is situated on SHIVALIK HILLS at a height of 1000 Mt. From sea level having commanding view of surronding
Landscpae. It is situated on Old Kathua-Billawar mule track. It is nearly 22
Kms from Kathua and 7 Kms from Parnalla (Billawar) on Dhar-Udhampur Road. The
route passes through picturesque pine forests and wild Bushy Plants. The
pilgrims have to negotiate 107 steps to reach the shrine. A Berry Plant also
exists near the temple. It is believed that Idol of Goddess was found under
this plant which was lateron enshrined in the temple. Regular Bus service is
available for Kumari and Parnalla from Kathua. Kumari is about 13 Kms from
Kathua and Parnalla about 55 Kms from kathua. From Kumari and Parnalla,
Pilgrims have to treck to reach the
shrine.
MATA BALA SUNDRI
The Historic
holy shrine of Bala ji Sundri is situated on the outskirts of Village Parole,
13 Kms from Kathua. The temple is situated amidst a grove of mango trees.
According to legend, one Brahmin was cutting grass and his sickle struck with a
stone which started oozing blood. A dream at night commanded him to place the
stone under a Banyan tree for worship. The stone considered to be
re-incarnation of holy goddess was lateron enshrined in the temple. A fair is also held during Navratras. Regular Bus/
Matador service is available from Kathua.
AIRWAN TEMPLE
It is a
famous Shiva Temple located at village Airwan near Parole about 15 Kms. From
Kathua. The 4th century old temple is believed to have been
constructed by King Vikramditya. The Airwan village bears its name after the
River Ravi. Fairs are held here on Shivratri and Baisakhi. There are large
number of Bowlies near the temple where the pilgrims take bath before worship.
People who cannot afford to visit Haridwar immerse ashes of the dead in the
holy water known as GUPT GANGA.
ASHA
PURANI MANDHIR, KATHUA
It is an
“PRACHIN MANDIR OF KATHUA” situated in the heart of city (MaIN Bazar).Asha
Purani Mandhir is an famous temple of Kathua town situated in the heart of City
(Main Bazar). It was built by Bhagat Chajju Ram in 1949 AD. Mandhir Bhawan is
about 30 Ft in height. Its main gate is
towards North and on the top off the Bhawan, Idol of Mata Durga Ji (10 ft.)
decorates the temple. There is a ligid that this temple is located on that
place where the AASH (Veins) of Mata Durga were thrown out by the Sudershan
Chakra of Lord VISHNU. From there, the Name Asha Purani originated and the
temple became famous as ASHA PURANI MANDHIR.
SAPT SAROBER MANDHIR
It is in Krishna
Nagar, W.No.3, KathuaIt was built by Bhagat Chajju Ram in 1969. Choudhary Hari
Singh and Choudhary Devidutta had donated Land for the Holy Temple. Sapt-Sarover name is derived form the
SAPT-RISHIES. Here an Sapt-Sarover is built and the temple in Sarover is also
built. There is One Pathsalla in the Temple and an Dharamshalla’s work is under
construction.
PEER
CHATTERSHAH (NAGRI-PAROLE)
It is located
near Parole about 13 kms from kathua. A bath in the spring near the SHRINE
(BOLIES) is considered to cure skin diseases.
GURDWARA
SINGH SABHA, KATHUA
It is situated
in the heart of Kathua Town (City Chowk).
There is an sarai (free of cost) where rooms are available.
