More than 100 pilgrims gathered from Amritsar on Wednesday to celebrate Mahashivratri at the Katas Raj Mahadev Temple in Pakistan. The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi recently issued visas to 112 Indian Hindu pilgrims to visit the Shree Katas Raj Temple, also known as Qila Katas, in Punjab’s Chakwal district.
Pawan Gupta, one of the pilgrims, said that the number of visas is limited and at least 1,000 people are expected to participate in the Katarasaj pilgrimage, especially during Mahashivratri.
He noted that Muslim tourists are increasingly coming to India. Another pilgrim, Ribu Kant Goswami, said thousands of people need visas to visit Shri Katas Raj Dham and said the priest must stay there for the duration of the prayers. Goswami also emphasized the need for construction of the road leading to Shri Katas Raj Dham.
Ram Prakash Sharma from Mathura expressed happiness in finally getting the visa after four to five years of effort. He prayed for good relations between India and Pakistan and suggested that pilgrims could enter all Hindu temples without visas.
The tour group plans to visit Pakistan from March 6 to 12 and will first visit the Durjana Temple in Amritsar. Pakistan High Commission has confirmed that 112 visas will be issued to Hindu pilgrims from India between 6-12 March 2024.
