Billawar is a town and a notified area committee in Kathua district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Billawar is also a tehsil. It is also known as Balaur. Billawar was founded by Raja Bhog Pal in 7th century A.D and it remained the capital of Basohli Rajas. The descendants of the Royal family are known as “Billawaria, Baloria, Balouria or Billauria” all being the modern day spelling variants. The town has some ancient monuments. One of these is Mahabilvakeshwar Temple, one of the most revered Shiva temples of the area.