District Kathua in Jammu region of Jammu & Kashmir UT, also called as the land of Sufis, holds a prominent place in Hindu mythology also. It is believed that Lord Krishna had visited Kathua to get back the precious diamond which is now known as ‘Koh-i-Noor’ from ‘Jamabant’.
The‘Koh-i-Noor’ diamond, is part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom (UK). According to the Hindu Mythology and historians, there are several places in Kathua which were visited by the Pandavas of Mahabharat , particularly during their exile period.
However, very few people know that Lord Krishna and the Pandavas during the Mahabharat era had come to Kathua. The Tourism Department has now planned to promote these places in Kathua to attract tourists.
One of the schools of thought believes that the name Kathua is derived from the name of Rishi Kashyap who disguised himself as a Tortoise (Kashua) for meditation.
Another school of thought believes that the word “Kathua” is derived from the word “Thuan” in Dogri which means Scorpions. Located in the Jammu Province shouldering border with Punjab, Kathua is also called the city of Sufis owing to the presence of a large number of Sufi Shrines of Peers in the region.
Greek historians, who provide an insight into the ancient history of Jammu hills, prominently record the existence in this area of two powerful empires – Abhisara (present day Poonch) and Kathaioi – at the time of invasion of India by Alexander.
“Kathua houses several places having religious as well as historical importance,” a senior officer of the Tourism Department, Rajesh Raina told Rising Kashmir, while adding, “The department has drawn a roadmap for attracting tourists to various places of Kathua”.
Though there is no detailed and fully documented history of Kathua district yet there is also a belief that Jodh Singh, a Rajput of the Andotra clan, migrated from Hastinapur to Kathua nearly 2,000 years ago and settled here.
The three hamlets of Taraf Tajwal, Taraf Manjali and Taraf Bhajwal were by the same account established by his three sons Teju, Kindal and Bhaju.
Tracing their ancestry to these three are the groups now known as Tajwalia, Bhajwalia and Khanwalia Rajputs, of the Andotra sub-caste.
There are also centuries old famous temples and shrines in Kathua visited by the devotees in large numbers from various parts of the country as well as from Jammu and Kashmir UT.
Some of the prominent temples include Sukrala Mata temple, Nilakantheshwar Shiva Temple, Shiv Temple at Billawar (MahabilvaKeshwar Temple), Mata Sundrikot Temple etc.
There is also a famous Heritage Fort of Jasrota and Jasrota Temple. Jasrota was founded by Raja Jas Dev of Jammu in 1019 AD and passed it on to his uncle Raja Karan Dev. A large number of people visit the historic Jasrota Fort and Jasrota Temple throughout the year to pay their obeisance.
Nilakantheshwar Shiv Temple is situated in Airwan (15 Kms from Kathua). As legend goes, the ancient name of this place was Airavati.
The Shiv-linga enshrined here is of light blue colour after which the name Nilakantheshwar wsa given to the temple.
The most famous shrine dedicated to the mother goddess is Sukrala Devi Shrine located at a distance of around 9.60 Kms from Billawar and about 75 Kms from Kathua town.
The white line coated the impressive edifice of the temple stands erect majestically. The holy shrine is the abode of goddess Mal Devi, the reincarnation of Sharda Devi.
The goddess has manifested herself here in the shape of a Shilla (Stone Slab) seated on a Brass Lion with a silver mounted head.
Behind it is also an image of Mahishasur Murdini (re-incarnation of Maha-Luxmi) standing on the body of Mahishasur, the Demon King. The Goddess is four armed with a sword in one of her hands.
Shiv Temple Billawar (MahabilvaKeshwar Temple) in Kathua is the most famous Shiva Shrine dating back to antiquity and has Shiv Trimurti. Located in the heart of Billawar Town, the temple is called MahabilvaKeshwar in view of the abundance of Bilva trees in the area.
The holy ancient shrine of Shree Mata Bala Sundari is situated on Shivalik Hills at a height of 1000 mts. It is situated on the old Kathua-Billawar mule track.
It is nearly 22 Kms from Kathua and 7 Kms from Parnalla (Billawar) on Dhar-Udhampur Road.
