Kathua (Dogri/Pahari/Hindi: ) is a city and a Municipal Council in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.It is the largest city of the Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir. It is the third-largest city in the Duggardesh (Jammu) region and the sixth-largest in the state. The word "Kathua" is derived from the word "Thuan" in Dogri which means "Scorpios". The city was the land of Scorpios before the settling of the Dogras who arrived and made the city. 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 located at 3222N 7531E / 32.37N 75.52E / 32.37; 75.52. It has an average elevation of 307 metres (1,007ft). 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...
