Kathua

Kathua (kəˈθʊə) (Dogri/Pahari/Hindi: कठुआ) is a city and a Municipal Council in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The word "Kathua" is derived from the word "Thuan" in Dogri which means "Scorpions". Some believe that its name is derived from the name of Rishi Kashyap who disguised himself as a tortoise (kashua) for strong meditation. Kathua is also called 'the city of Sufis' owing to the presence of large number of Sufi Shrines of Peers.

Geography

Kathua is located at 32°22′N 75°31′E / 32.37°N 75.52°E / 32.37; 75.52. It has an average elevation of 307 metres (1,007 ft).The city is surrounded by three rivers. Ravi is just 7 km down Kathua while ujjh is about 11 km ahead on Jammu Highway. Kathua itself is situated along the banks of a khad (river) dividing it into two boroughs: Parliwand, meaning the other side; and Orliwand, meaning this side. Both parts are connected by three bridges. Many parts of the district and the city itself lie on plains while the tehsils of Basoli and Billawar are very hilly. The Kandi region - the barren lowlands at shiwalik foothills constitute it. A gateway to the northernmost state of Jammu and Kashmir, Kathua lies just 88 kilometres south of the state's winter capital of Jammu.