Bhaderwah

Bhaderwah Bhaderkashi
Tehsil/Sub District
32°58′48″N 75°42′49″E / 32.980033°N 75.713706°E / 32.980033; 75.713706
Country	India
Union Territory	Jammu & Kashmir
Division	Jammu
District	Doda
Area [1]
• Total	112.17 km2 (43.31 sq mi)
Elevation	1,613 m (5,292 ft)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	75,376
• Density	670/km2 (1,700/sq mi)
Demonym	Bhaderwahi
Languages
• Spoken languages	Bhaderwahi, Kashmiri, Dogri, Gaddi, Hindi, Gojri, Khașāli[2]
Time zone	UTC +05:30 (Indian Standard Time)
Additional District Commissioner Bhaderwah	Chowdhary Dil Mir (KAS)
BDC Chairperson[3]	Omi Chand[4]
Website	bhaderwah.com

Bhaderwah or Bhadarwah (also Bhaderwah Valley) is a town, tehsil, and sub-district in the Doda district of Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir, India.^[5][6]

Etymology and names

The name Bhaderwah derives from the Sanskrit word Bhadarwasa meaning "a place of living of supreme and intellect mankind".^[7] Alternatively, the name may derive from Bhadarkashi, a name given to the town for the ancient temple of Hindu goddess Bhadrakali located in the area.^[8][9] The area is called Bhadar Avkash (lit. 'a good resting place') and Bhadar Pura in the 12th century Sanskrit chronicle Rajatarangini, with the former likely a name given to the region by foreign Kashmiri rulers.^[10][11] The area is sometimes referred to as chota Kashmir or "little Kashmir" because of topographic similarities with the Kashmir valley,^[12] and is called Bhadarkashi by the Hindus of the region.^[9]

History, Culture & Heritage

In 1841, Bhadarwah, the "Chota Kashmir" became part of J&K state. When Maharaja Partap Singh was crowned as king of Jammu and Kashmir, he gifted Bhadarwah to his younger brother Raja Amar Singh as "Jagir". The Jagir comprised Bhadarwah, Bhalessa and the vast area left of river Chenab from Thathri up to Khellani (Doda).^[13]

Mela Patt

During the Paul Dynasty rule a noble king named Nag Pal impressed Moughal King with his spiritual powers and undaunted courage. It is since then that the farmous Mela Pat is celebrated in Khakhal mohalla of Bhadarwah every year to commemorate that historical event. Mela Patt traces its origins to the sixteenth century when Emperor Akbar was deeply impressed by the spiritual aura surrounding Raja Nagpal, the ruler of Bhaderwah Principality during the 16th century.^[14] This auspicious event is traditionally organized following the culmination of the Kailash Yatra in Bhaderwah and is held annually on the sacred occasion of Rishi Panchami, also recognized as Naga Panchami.^[15]

CULTURE AND HERITAGE

Bhaderwah is also a land of fairs and festivals like Mela Pat, Subar Dhar Mela, Kud dance, Pahari folk songs and music. It also has heritage sites like the Ratangarh Fort, hundered years old Jamia Masjid and an ancient Vasuki Nag Temple.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census of India, the Bhaderwah tehsil had a population of 75,376 while the population of the Bhaderwah town was 11,084. This gave the tehsil a population density of 670 persons per km² (1,700 per square mile). Out of the total population of the tehsil, 39,051 individuals were male and 36,325 were female, giving it a sex ratio of 930 females for every 1000 males. The tehsil had a literacy rate of 75.51%. Scheduled castes formed 19.3% of the population, while scheduled tribes were 6.2%.^[16]

Religion

Per the 2011 census, Hindus formed a majority of Bhaderwah tehsil's population, constituting 58.02% of the total.^[16][17] The remaining population is mainly Muslim (41.71%) with small numbers of Christians (0.13%) and Sikhs (0.11%). Hindus have historically formed a majority in the region, with the former Bhaderwah Jagir recording a 61.13% Hindu majority in the 1911 census.^[18]

Languages

A majority of the population of Bhaderwah tehsil are speakers of the Bhadarwahi language, with around 53% of the total population speaking the language as a mother tongue, according to the 2011 census.^[19] The tehsil also had a large Kashmiri-speaking minority (33.6% of the total), and significant numbers of speakers of Dogri (4.7%), Gaddi (3.35%), Hindi (1.6%) and Gojri (1.5%) languages.^[19]

Climate

Tourism

Bhaderwah is an emerging tourist destination. Local administration is working to set Bhaderwah on the world tourism spot. The administration is emphasising on creating Shopping Malls, luxury hotels, gaming facilities, food courts, and other amenities to attract international and domestic tourists along with promotion of religious and historical destinations.^[21] The Vibrant Bhaderwah Festival, a 5-day program, including performances by Singers, fireworks, cultural performances, Film Screenings and many more. The festival is organised in collaboration by Directorate of Tourism Jammu, the District Administration Doda, the Academy of Art, Culture and Language, and the Bhaderwah Development Authority (BDA). The last festival was organised from 27th December 2023 to 31st December 2023. It concluded on New Year 2024. It was attended by more than one lakh people. Bhaderwah is also emerging as a destination for Wedding tourism and MICE tourism.^[22]

|- |Udhampur - Batote |55 Kms - NH-1A |- |Batote - Pul Doda |50 Kms - NH-1B |- |Pul Doda – Bhaderwah |30 Kms |}

Adventure

Bhaderwah has exciting activities for adventure enthusiasts. Khani Top and Thuba are ideal for paragliding offering exhilarating descents into the Bhaderwah valley. The mountains overlooking the valley offer abundant camping and trekking opportunities. Hanga Noori to Seoj, Khellani to Seoj, Hanga- Devchatar- Chilli- Khellani. Chinta ,Thanala and Padri meadows have wonderful slopes for snowboarding and skiing.

Tourist Destination Of Bhaderwah Valley

• Padri Top
• Chinta valley
• Sonbain
• Jai Valley
• Padri Pass
• { Bhallara valley }
• (shanani valley)
• jantroon dhar

References

External links

• Bhaderwah Development Authority