Katasraj Hindu Temples - Pakistan

Awais Yaqub · December 5, 2010

There are lots of legends associated with these temples, they belong to around 600 BC. Some of these temples are newly constructed and renovated. Hindus from around the world still visit these temples. These are around 2.5 hours drive away from capital of Pakistan located in Salt Range. Around this place Al-Beruni calculated earth circumference and wrote a famous book on Hindu culture and history "Kitab-ul-Hind". After partition of subcontinent in 1947 Hindus from this region migrated to present time India, and Muslims from India migrated to present time Pakistan.
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2. Kid was my model and guide, well not exactly a guide he was interested in what i was doing.
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3. Local man
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4. Newly made temple
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5. Very old one, under mountain
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6. Old and newly built complex
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7. Dome of a temple, it was too dark inside.
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8 .and some places were really mystery
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Holy pool:
Many legends are associated with the temples, some of them involving Shiva himself. Legend says that the five Pandava brothers, heroes of the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, stayed here for four out of the 14 years that they spent in exile.
Another legend involves the death of Shiva's wife Satti; the story goes that when she died he cried so much and for so long that his tears created two holy ponds - one at Pushkara in Ajmer and the other at Ketaksha, which literally means "raining eyes" in Sanskrit. It is from this name that the word Ketas is derived. Another version of the legend mentions the two pools at Katasraj and Nainital.
Another legend involves the death of Shiva's horse Katas; the story goes that when that horse died he cried so much and for so long that his tears created two holy ponds - one at Pushkara in Ajmer and the other at Ketaksha, which literally means "raining eyes" in Sanskrit. It is from this name that the word Ketas is derived. Another version of the legend mentions the two pools at Katasraj and Nainital.People bathe in that holy pond and seek forgiveness as Hindu belief holds that bathing in the pond (especially on certain occasions) causes the forgiveness of sins and helps attain salvation. Many people believe that this will come from bathing in the pond at any time. Depth of this holy pond is still a mystery. Wikipedia
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15. Back home via Motorway, this Motorway runs through out Pakistan and touches many historic places. Katasraj temples are around 45min off from Motorway.
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Moogle Pepper · December 5, 2010

Your guide doesn't look too thrilled.

Did you get to explore inside the temple? Man, talk about constant source of adventures!

Travel · December 5, 2010

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

1andyw · December 5, 2010

You further open my eyes with each of your posts. Amazing!

AndyW

agunther · December 5, 2010

Wonderful place and so rich in color and tradition. I love those shots.

Awais Yaqub · December 5, 2010

Thanks guys, most temples were locked and rest of them were too small and dark, i managed to get handheld photo of colorful dome (7)

agunther · December 5, 2010

Looks like a cool place to visit. I like #9. Somehow I want to lean forward and see whats hidden from view. In a way, this makes it a fantastically strong image. On the other side, I wish I could see beyond the framing window and I hate that you cover so much. Love it and hate it, but very good work!

Awais Yaqub · December 6, 2010

agunther wrote: »

Looks like a cool place to visit. I like #9. Somehow I want to lean forward and see whats hidden from view. In a way, this makes it a fantastically strong image. On the other side, I wish I could see beyond the framing window and I hate that you cover so much. Love it and hate it, but very good work!

Thanks, that window was really small and widest i had was 28mm so made bit impossible to to take full view. Thanks a lot, i hope you will come and witness these beautiful places by your own eyes someday

ian408 · December 6, 2010

The temples built into mountains fascinate me. The carvings on the entrances are often intricate and the effect of time only adds to their mystique. These are very beautiful photos.

Thank you for taking us along on your journey!

Qarik · December 7, 2010

all that scenery and I am digging #3 the most. what a great shot.

Awais Yaqub · December 8, 2010

Thanks Ian and Daniel!

Bend The Light · December 8, 2010

Beautiful...I hve started looking for your posts, now.

#10 is my personal favourite, but all have something that draws me.

Thanks for sharing, both photos and history.

Awais Yaqub · December 9, 2010

Bend The Light wrote: »

Beautiful...I hve started looking for your posts, now.

#10 is my personal favourite, but all have something that draws me.

Thanks for sharing, both photos and history.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed them!

Internaut · December 12, 2010

This is a nice set. Excellent use of the light and also excellent use of framing in the temple shots.

Awais Yaqub · December 13, 2010

Internaut wrote: »

This is a nice set. Excellent use of the light and also excellent use of framing in the temple shots.

Thanks

wpbarr · December 13, 2010

#9 is just magnificent. Nicely framed and the color of the pool just radiates.

choudhrysaab · December 16, 2010

Great shots Awais - i'm moving back to Pak in a few days. Hopefully i'll get the chance to visit all these historic places as well.

Awais Yaqub · December 17, 2010

Thank you Bill and Choudhrysaab!

Secluded Valley · December 19, 2010

These are just beautiful, Awais. Thank you for sharing.

Kristine

Seefutlung · December 20, 2010

Good stuff Awais. A few comments and questions:
1) Is this place far from your house? (I'd like you to go back and get more good stuff.)
2) Is there a community still living in/near the temples?
3) The images of the "guide" and "local man" are static and sterile and do not up to your usual high standard.
4) The local man looks like a giant in the small doorway.
5) Did you bath in the scared pools, (or are you waiting for the special time)?
6) #10 is my fav, one window seems to be looking to the past while the other window seems to be viewing the future.
7) Did you know that you're driving on the wrong side of the road?
8) Who owns the structures? Who is responsible for the restoration?
9) It seems to be pretty quiet. Is there much tourist activity? and;
10) The water seems to be of an odd color ... have you any explanations on that?

Thanks for More Great Images,
Gary

PS- Just finished reading Wikipedia so I have the answers for #2 and #8.
G

Awais Yaqub · December 20, 2010

Seefutlung wrote: »

Good stuff Awais. A few comments and questions:
1) Is this place far from your house? (I'd like you to go back and get more good stuff.)
2) Is there a community still living in/near the temples?
3) The images of the "guide" and "local man" are static and sterile and do not up to your usual high standard.
4) The local man looks like a giant in the small doorway.
5) Did you bath in the scared pools, (or are you waiting for the special time)?
6) #10 is my fav, one window seems to be looking to the past while the other window seems to be viewing the future.
7) Did you know that you're driving on the wrong side of the road?
8) Who owns the structures? Who is responsible for the restoration?
9) It seems to be pretty quiet. Is there much tourist activity? and;
10) The water seems to be of an odd color ... have you any explanations on that?

Thanks for More Great Images,
Gary

PS- Just finished reading Wikipedia so I have the answers for #2 and #8.
G

1) not really far away, i will surly go back there it was a quick trip with class mates
2) only one family of hindus and majority is Muslim, Hindus of the region moved to India in 1947
3) yeah i was also not comfortable with what i got, 4) for local man i was standing at lower ground, i usually almost never talk to subject, they were quite natural until they saw me
5) no water was not clean, nor i belong to same faith.
6) yes it is my fav too.
7) i don't drive, i just relax in back seat
9) no, not much tourists it is in remote area only few tourists from adjacent areas visit it, lots of Hindus from around the world visit it in special days for rituals.
10) yes, the water was stagnant and home for frogs, fish and plants.

Seefutlung · December 20, 2010

5) no water was not clean, nor i belong to same faith.

I belong to a different faith also ... but would probably jump in as a measure of insurance ...

7) i don't drive, i just relax in back seat

10) yes, the water was stagnant and home for frogs, fish and plants.

If frogs were living in the water ... then it wouldn't hurt you much if any at all ... frogs are especially sensitive to toxins if they were healthy you could probably drink the water with minimal aftereffects. (A Coke would probably do you more harm.)

Gary

PS- You images make me want to move to Pakistan.
G

PPS- So how's school?
G

Awais Yaqub · December 20, 2010

Hahaha then i think there were no frogs. School is all over my friend, graduated on 2nd Dec

Come to Pakistan we will travel all around!

Seefutlung · December 20, 2010

Awais Yaqub wrote: »

Hahaha then i think there were no frogs. School is all over my friend, graduated on 2nd Dec
Come to Pakistan we will travel all around!

Congrats on school ... ^5!!!

That is a very tempting suggestion ... maybe next year ...

Gary

PS- Remember that you are always welcomed here in Los Angeles.
G

Awais Yaqub · December 20, 2010

Seefutlung wrote: »

Congrats on school ... ^5!!!

That is a very tempting suggestion ... maybe next year ...

Gary

PS- Remember that you are always welcomed here in Los Angeles.
G

looking forward for your visit to Pakistan! lets see when i visit you :ivar

denisegoldberg · December 20, 2010

These are outstanding Awais. # 1 and 9 - both "through a window shots" are my favorites of the set, and the contrast of the motorway and the temples really jumped out at me.

--- Denise

Awais Yaqub · December 20, 2010

denisegoldberg wrote: »

These are outstanding Awais. # 1 and 9 - both "through a window shots" are my favorites of the set, and the contrast of the motorway and the temples really jumped out at me.

--- Denise

Thanks Denise!

knapph · December 21, 2010

Thanks
Thanks for posting these photos. I enjoy looking at photos of temples. I had rather see them in person but, I will settle for photos. I like the way you use the light in your pictures.

Yuri Pautov · December 22, 2010

Awais, my friend! Thank you so much for this amazing serial!

Awais Yaqub · December 22, 2010

You are welcome my friends, thanks for your kind words.

Katasraj Hindu Temples - Pakistan

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