CHAKWAL, Nov 12: More than 200 Hindu pilgrims would visit their sacred site, Kattas Raj, on November 14 to perform rituals.

The district government and the local police have made special security arrangements for the ‘yatrees’ during their four-day stay at the site. A reception would also be given in their honour on November 15. Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Lt-Gen (retired) Zulfiqar Ali Khan would also attend the function.

The mention of Kattas Raj, located in the salt range 18 miles south of Chakwal, is found in “Maha Bharat” written in 300 BC. The etymology of this place as narrated in the old edition of “Tarikh-i-Jhelum” is that according to Brahaman belief, Shiv Devta wept so profusely on the death of his beloved wife Satti that two holy ponds — one at Pushkar of Ajmair and other at Katak Shell — came into being with his tears. In Sanskrit, the word ‘Katak Shell’ means chain of tears which later on was pronounced as “Katas”. According to Gen Cunningham, Katas was considered the second largest holy place in Punjab for Hindu pilgrims after Jawala Mukhi. It is said famous Pando brothers spent 12 years in Katas and built the temples of Satghara.

It is said Al-Baruni also spent some time at Katas to learn Sanskrit in a linguistic university which, at that time, was established here. During his stay at Katas and Nandana Fort, Al- Baruni wrote his famous book “Kitab-ul-Hind” which depicted the religion, scientific knowledge, and social customs of Hindus. Al- Baruni during his stay at Katas not only learned Sanskrit, but also performed various geographic experiments and eventually succeeded in discovering the radius of earth.

According to Hindu beliefs, taking bath in the holy pond at the site washes away all sins and makes man innocent.

SHEPHERD KILLED: A 35-years-old shepherd was murdered in mysterious circumstances near Dhoke Taalyan village in the area of Dhumman Police Station.