Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, The Kathgarh Mahadev Temple, situated in the Indora sub-division of Kangra district, is quite mysterious.

In most places, you may have seen complete idols of Lord Shiva being worshipped. However, there exists a unique location in the country where the worship is divided between two parts of a Shiva Lingam. 

This extraordinary place is the Kathgarh Mahadev Temple in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. 

It is the only temple in the world where the Shiva Lingam is divided into two parts.

It is believed that the difference between the two halves, representing Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, keeps changing according to the movements of celestial bodies and constellations. 

During summers, there is a significant difference between the two parts, while in winters, the distinction becomes less noticeable, and both aspects merge into one.

This Shiva Lingam is octagonal and has a dark brown color. The Shiva aspect, with a height of 7-8 feet, and the Parvati aspect, worshipped as a part of it, stands about 5-6 feet tall.

History of Kathgarh Temple

Legend has it that when Alexander the Great reached this region, he asked a local hermit, who was worshipping the Shiva Lingam, to accompany him to Greece. The hermit declined, leading to Alexander’s admiration for his devotion. Impressed by this, Alexander constructed the Kathgarh Mahadev Temple and built a fortified wall along with octagonal platforms near the banks of the Beas River, which still stands to this day.