Alight here for "Pracheen Shiv Mandir Kathgarh", one of the very famous temple in Himachal Pardesh. It's situated approximately 4 Kilometers from Mirthal on the meeting point of the Beas and the Choch rivers. Auto-Rickshaw are available frequently from Mirthal LC (Exit from PF1 and walk approximately 400m towards Pathankot end). Fare is ₹10 per person and will take 10-15 minutes. Facilities like Free Langar, Toilets, Parking, Canteen, Library and Sarai for stay are available. Besides medium range lodges are also available nearby.
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History of Kathgarh Temple :
1)...
more... According to a story in “Shiv Purana” there was a war between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahama as who is supreme of the two. They were about to use “Pashupat” which would have brought destruction 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 know as to what this fire pillar is ? Lord Vishnu disguised as ‘Shukara’ went to ascertain the bottom and Lord Brahma 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 know as linga of Lord Shiva in Kathgarh Temple.
2) According to another story in 'Ramayana', King Bharat, brother of Lord Rama, used to pay obeisance to Lord Dhiva at this pillar on his way to his grandparents in Kashmir.
3) 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 demoralised on reaching Kathgarh and he returned back home from this place. Parveen Gupta in his book “Apna Shahar Pathankot” says the conquering campaign of Great Alexander stopped near Pathankot (River Beas) and he has to change his plans.
[Reference/Source :
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