Religious/ Spiritual

Airwan temple

Location

The Airwan temple is a 4th century Shiva temple in the Airwan village. This ancient shrine is believed to have been built by King Vikramditya, a legendary emperor of Ujjain. The temple has numerous water tanks, where pilgrims take a bath before worshipping.

The local people consider this place as sacred as Haridwar and immerse ashes of the dead in Gupt Ganga. The temple authorities organise annual fairs during Mahashivratri and Baisakhi.

Mata Bala Sundri

Location

Mata Bala Sundri, also known as Bala Ji Sundri, is an ancient shrine located on the outskirts of the Parole village. According to legend, a Brahmin was cutting grass and his sickle hit a stone that started oozing blood.

After this incident, he saw the Goddess in his dream, who commanded him to install the stone under a banyan tree. Since then, this stone is considered as the reincarnation of the holy Goddess. The stone was later shifted to the main temple. An annual fair is organised at the temple during Navratras.

Mata Sundrikote

Location

Mata Sundrikote is an ancient shrine located amidst the Shivalik hills in the Kathua District. This temple is located at a height of around 1000 m, on the old Kathua-Billawar mule track.

The shrine can be reached by 107 steps. It is believed that the idol of Goddess Sundrikote enshrined in the temple was discovered in the nearby region.

Shaloora Shrine

Location

Shaloora Shrine is a tourist spot famous for its festival, organised on the 17th of Hard Bikrami. According to the Wirdul Mareedeen, a mosque was built by Sultanul Arifeen in Shaloora. Two huts towards the north of the mosque, dedicated to Sultanul Arifeen and Baba Abdullah Gazi can also be seen.