Katas Raj Festival

کٹاس راج میلہ

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Religious & SpiritualKatas Raj
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageKatas Raj's sacred pond, believed in Hindu
Language["ur"]Currency: PKR
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Katas Raj Festival in Katas Raj

The Katas Raj Festival centers on Maha Shivaratri celebrations at the Katas Raj Temples near Chakwal in Punjab, one of Pakistan's most significant Hindu pilgrimage sites, dedicated to Lord Shiva and built around a pond believed to have formed from his tears. Hindu pilgrims from Pakistan and abroad gather each year for worship at the temple complex.

In the hills near Chakwal in Pakistan's Punjab province stands a cluster of seven temples surrounding a pond that, according to Hindu tradition, formed from a single teardrop shed by Lord Shiva in his grief over the death of his wife, Sati.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Katas Raj's sacred pond, believed in Hindu tradition to have formed from a teardrop shed by Lord Shiva after the death of his wife Sati, gives the site a specific and singular origin story among Pakistan's religious landmarks, distinct from other regional shrines

02

The mystery stays covered

The temple complex, attributed to the era of the Hindu Shahi kings roughly between 615 and 950 CE, is also linked in tradition to a visit by the Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata, adding a layered mythological significance rarely found together at one site

03

The city starts moving

Since Hindu community members organized a resumption of festival gatherings there in 2010 and 2011, following a long period of reduced activity after Partition, the festival has taken on additional significance as a deliberate act of preserving a minority religious tradition within Pakistan

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival centers on Maha Shivaratri

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a major Hindu observance dedicated to Lord Shiva

The sacred route

Living ritual

marked at Katas Raj with worship at the sacred pond and the surrounding seven temples

The local code

Living ritual

the site's traditions also draw on its associated Mahabharata legend involving a visit by the Pandava brothers

Tradition 5

Living ritual

layering epic tradition atop the primary Shaivite devotional practice

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Modest, respectful clothing appropriate for a religious pilgrimage site is expected of all visitors; pilgrims participating in ritual bathing should bring a change of clothes, and non-Hindu...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

["ur"] · PKR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map32.72 N, 72.95 EOpen in Google Maps

Katas Raj, Punjab, Pakistan

Nearest airportISB — Islamabad
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Katas Raj via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Katas Raj, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearModest, respectful clothing appropriate for a religious pilgrimage site is expected of all visitors; pilgrims participating in ritual bathing should bring a change of clothes, and non-Hindu visitors should dress conservatively out of respect for active worship taking place.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Pakistan and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Katas Raj Festival?

Katas Raj Festival is listed for Dates to be announced. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Katas Raj Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Katas Raj, Pakistan. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Date announcement pending. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Katas Raj, Punjab, Pakistan

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusDate announcement pending
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