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.