Shiv Mandir Kathgarh is one of the very famous temple in Himachal Pradesh. This temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and Parvati. The temple is located 7 Kilometers from Indora on the meeting point of the Beas and the Choch rivers, built in Roman architectural style housing two Lingas of light gray sandy stone of 6 ‘and 4′-7 “in height having an octagonal base with every side measuring 1′-3 “and 1’-3” above the ground level personifying Lord Shiva and Parvati respectively. These Lingas which are in direction of North-West stand 3 1/2 “apart at the bottom and inclining towards each other with just 2” away from each other at the top.

History & Legends

According to a story in “Shiv Purana” there was a war between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahama as to who is supreme of the two. They were about to use “Pashupat” which would have brought destruction and annihilation all around. Lord Shiva could not help seeing all this and he appeared as a fire pillar between the two and both the warring lords became peaceful and wanted to know as to what this fire pillar was? Lord Vishnu disguised as ‘Shukara’ went to ascertain the bottom and Lord Brahmaa swan flew into the sky to have a look at the top of this fire pillar. Lord Vishnu came back without reaching the farthest point of the pillar in the ground. Lord Brahma came back with a ‘Ketki’ flower saying that it was lying on the top of the pillar. Both the Lords reconciled. Lord Shiva then appeared and was very happy with the devotion and truthfulness of Lord Vishanu and awarded him equality with self. This great fire pillar came to be known as the linga of Lord Shiva in Kathgarh Temple.

Reference to the temple is also found in “History and Culture of Himalayan States” by Prof. Sukhdev Singh Charak. It is said that the army of world conqueror Great Alexander of Macedonian got demoralized on reaching Kathgarh and he returned back home from this place. Parveen Gupta in his book “Apna Shahar Pathankot” says the conquering campaign of the Great invader Alexander stopped near Pathankot (River Beas) and he had to change his plans.

According to another story in the Indian epic ‘Ramayana’, King ‘Bharat’, the brother of Lord Rama, used to pay obeisance to Lord ‘Shiva’ at this pillar on his way to his grandparents in ‘Kashmir’.

Presently, Mahant Kali Das and his family have the responsibility of worshiping in this temple. Prior to the year 1998, his father Mahant Madho Nath had the responsibility of worshiping this temple. The entire offering of this ancient temple goes to the family of the priest of the temple according to the dynasty tradition. Kathgarh, the ancient Shiva temple management committee, was formed in the year 1984 to uplift the temple’s management committee meeting. After the registration of this meeting in the year 1986, many development works were done in the temple for the convenience of the devotees. The assembly built the Sri Ram Darbar Temple on the right side of the ancient Shiva temple in the year 1995.