The Tears of Shiva, Katas, Pakistan
The Shri Katas Raj Temple complex of several Hindu shrines connected to one another by walkways , is located in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The temple complex surrounds a pond named Katas fed by a natural spring which is regarded as sacred by Hindus. Hindu tradition holds that the temples date from the era of the great epic Mahabharata and is believed to be where the Pandava brothers spent a large portion of their exile.
The temples derive their holiness from the legend that following the death of his wife Sati, the Hindu god Shiva wandered inconsolably, while some of his tears collected in the pond around which the Katas Raj Temples are set. Some legends also state that the very first Shiva Linga was in Katas .
This temple complex of antiquity was also described by 4th century CE Chinese monk, Faxian. The Katas site houses the Satgraha, a group of seven ancient temples, remains of a Buddhist stupa and five other medieval temples. The seven temples were built in an architectural style similar to Kashmiri temples.
Once a revered site for Hindu pilgrims, much of the ancient Katas Raj Temple complex after the partition of India in 1947 was either destroyed or left neglected. Murals were destroyed and the pond filled with garbage. Some efforts to clean the pond were undertaken by authorities but the water levels are drastically low due to illegal water usage of the waters of the spring- fed pond by nearby cement factories
Prints : Available as Giclee print on finest quality paper or canvas. International shipment
Sizes available: 8 x 12″(203 x 305 mm); 12 x 16″(305 x 410mm); 18 x 24″(457 x 610 mm); 24 x 32″ (610 x 813mm)
For list of prices, details of paper or canvas and pigments used, please get in touch via contact form