Pracheen Shiv Mandir is situated at Kathgarh (32˚ 6′ North lat. and 75˚ 41′ East long), a small village on the Himachal Punjab border near the confluence of river Beas and Chaunch Khad a tributary of Beas; 6 kms from Indora Tehsil of Kangra District and 4 kms from Mirthal a small township of Pathankot District on Pathankot-Jalandhar Highway.

Pracheen Shiv Mandir is situated at Kathgarh (32˚ 6′ North lat. and 75˚ 41′ East long),  a small village on the Himachal Punjab border near the confluence of river Beas and Chaunch Khad a tributary of Beas; 6 kms from Indora  Tehsil of Kangra District and 4 kms from Mirthal a small township of Pathankot District on Pathankot-Jalandhar Highway.

             There are two Lingas of light grey Sandy stone of 6’ and 4’-7” in height having octagonal base with every side measuring 1’-3” and 1’-3” above the ground level personifying Lord Shiva and Parvati respectively. These Lingas which are in direction of North-West stand 3⅟2″apart at the bottom and inclining towards each other with just 2″ away from each other at the top.  The temple with its entry from the east is constructed in Roman architectural style.

HISTORY -

Reference to the temple is also found in “History and culture of Himalayan States” by Prof. Sukhdev Singh Charak. It is said that the army of world conqueror Alexander the Great of Macedonian got demoralised on reaching Kathgarh and he returned back home from this place. Parveen Gupta in his book “Apna Shahar Pathankot” says the conquering campaign of Great invader Alexander   stopped near Pathankot (River Beas) and he has to change his plans.

            It is believed that there was a fierce battle between the army of Alexander the Great on the one side and people of “KATH” caste from Kathgrarh - Mirthal and AUDUMBARS of Prasthal (Present Pathankot) on the other.  About 17,000 warriors of “KATHS” lost their lives and the army of Alexander also suffered heavy causalities and got demoralised.  Alexander thus ordered his army to retreat by saying ”Thus far and no further”  Alexander was very much impressed     by these strange Shivalingas and a saint sitting at the temple and he went back to Greece.  There is also strong evidence suggesting that Alexander was moved by the peaceful and serene atmosphere of the area and boundary wall was raised around the temple and rostrums constructed for the pilgrims, the remains of which could even be seen today.

                       There is another myth that Lord Rama’s younger brother Bharat used to worship and pay obeisance at this temple while going to Kakarya State of his maternal grandparents.  Maharaja Ranjit Singh is too said to be a devotee of these lingas.