Nilakantheshwar Shiv Temple
The temple is situated in Airwan (15 Kms from Kathua). As legend goes, the ancient name of this place was Airavati. The temple is believed to have been erected by famous King Vikramaditya of historical fame. The Shiv-linga enshrined here is of light blue colour hence the name Nilakantheshwar given to the temple.
SHIV TEMPLE BILLAWAR (MAHABILVAKESHWAR TEMPLE)
This most famous Shiva Shrine dates back to antiquity. Formerly known as the Hari-Hara Temple, it has Shiv Trimurti. Located in the Heart of Billawar Town, the temple is called Mahabilvakeshwar in view of abundance of Bilva trees in the area. It is believed that God Shiva is highly pleased when Bilva leaves, known as Bil-patri in local parlance, are offered to him. The temple spire is about 60 Ft high over a square sanctum. The temple has a number of other images like that of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (5-headed), Ganesh and Bhairav. The temple edifice has been built with a chiselled and dressed stones which have been crumbling of late.
Also, this temple is very much related to the Maharaja Hari Singh’s (Dr Karan Singh’s father) family. There is an old saying that, if there is a mishappening/casuality in this royal family, A brick/stone having a spot of blood falls from the temple.
Mata BalaSundri
The Historic holy shrine of BalajiSundri is situated on the outskirts of Village Parole, 13 Kms from Kathua. The temple is situated amidst a grove of mango trees. According to legend, one Brahmin was cutting grass and his sickle struck with a stone which started oozing blood. A dream at night commanded him to place the stone under a Banyan tree for worship. The stone considered to be re-incarnation of holy goddess was lateron enshrined in the temple. A fair is also held during Navratras. Regular Bus/ Matador service is available from Kathua.
Hanuman Temple Billawar
(Ancient Lord Hanuman Temple since Pandav’s Time)
An ancient Hanuman Sculpture can be found carved on a rock boulder in the middle of the river Naz in Billawar Town in Kathua. District in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located at about 200 meters from Billawar Bus Stand, 58 Kms from Lakhanpur, 72 Kms from Pathankot, 73 Kms from Kathua, 88 Kms from Udhampur, 110 Kms from Katra, 114 Kms from Jammu Airport. Billawar is situated on Delhi – Jammu Route on NH – 1A. Billawar is connected to Jammu. Udhampur, Kathua by regular bus service.
Gurnal Temple Billawar
(Ancient Lord Hanuman Temple since Pandav’s Time)
According to locals the site goes back to the time of the Pandavs who used this spot as a resting place in the last year of their exile. While this could not be confirmed, there are material evidences within the site to support the historicity of the site and the temple complex. The site is archaeologically a very rich and unexplored resource.
Shiv Temple Panjtirthi
Shiv Temple Panjtirthiis a very famous temple. It is PanchMukhiLingha situated in the sangam of five tributaries of Ujh River. Actually there are only two PanchmukhiShivling in the world. One Lord Pashupatinath is seated in Nepal and the other is in Panjtirthi of Billawar.Itis in Billawar, Kathua, Jammu & Kashmir(U.T.) in India. Shiv Temple Panjtirthi nearby pin code areas are 184203 (Bhaddu), 184202 (Mahanpur).
