Amazing places in India: Day 52

Poonch District is sometimes referred to as mini Kashmir and is a remote district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is bound by the Actual Line of Control (ALC) on three sides. The ALC is about 103 km from Tarkundi in Balakote to Sawjian in Mandi Block. Poonch is set amidst snow-capped mountains, meandering lakes and streams, with the fertile soil supporting abundant growth of fruits, flowers, forests and other natural vegetation. Poonch is a very historical area and has been ruled by both outsiders and local rulers at different junctures till it became a part of independent India. In the 6th century AD, Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang passed through Poonch. He wrote that Poonch was famous for graphics, fine tea (Musloom) and good horses. Around 850 AD, Poonch became a sovereign state when Mr. Nar, a horse trader declared himself the Raja of Poonch. In 1596 AD, the Mughal King Jehangir nominated Siraj-ud-din of village Kahuta as the Raja of Poonch. In 1798 AD, a Gujjar leader Rooh-ullah-Sangu became the ruler of this area.

How to reach here:

By Air: The closest airport is located at Jammu, which is around 250 km from the town.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is also located at Jammu and there are trains from different parts of the country to the station.

Best time to visit: Throughout the year.

Languages spoken: Kashmiri, Urdu and Hindi.

Famous Restaurants: Kasturi Dhaba.

Places you must visit:

Noori Chamb is associated with the name of Mughal queen Noor Jahan is famous for its scenic beauty & water fall at a height of 8,600 feet.The fall of the stream gives rise to dense clouds of water vapours which engulfs the area & spread all over. The Emperor Jahangir had developed so much fancy & liking for this fall that he named it Noori Chammb after the name of his beloved queen Noor Jahan. Mughal queen used to stay here for relaxation and bath while on way to Kashmir. She had got fixed a mirror besides the fall on the mountain wall where she used to have her make- up after the bath. The remnants of the mirror are still there.

Gurudwara Nangali Sahib is located on a hill and on the banks of Drungali Nallah. It is considered as one of the oldest Sikh shrines in northern India for Sikh community. The Gurudwara was built in 1803 by Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji, who was the fourth successor of Sant Bhai Feru Singh Ji. Maharaja Ranjit Singh visited this Gurudwara in 1814. He attached four villages with the Gurudwara in the year of 1823. The gurudwara was restored by Mahant Bachitar Singh Ji.

Swami Budha Amarnath Ji Mandir is situated in between the Pir Panchal Range on the confluence of two streams, Nallah Gagri and Pulsta Nadi. The temple of Swami Buddha Amarnath Ji is made of a big stone.The temple has four doors i.e. to the North, East, West and South, which defines that the shrine is open for all four castes. The temple houses a natural Shiva Lingam made of a white stone. Besides that, there are other idols placed by local people. The spring around the temple is considered as the holy spring, in which pilgrims take bath before entering the temple.

Poonch fort is a major attraction of Poonch city and its history dates back to 16th century A. D. The Poonch Qila was built by Raja Rustum Khan in 1713 AD. The construction of this fort took place many years with the effort of Raja Rustam Khan, who was a lover of architecture. The architecture of the fort is influenced by the Mughal architectural style. There were some changes made in the central block of the building, which were done in Sikh architectural style, during Sikh rule. The present structure of the front block of the fort was made by Raja Moti Singh, who hired a European architect.

Nandishool waterfall is located at a distance of 6 km from Sultan Pathri and 12 km from Loran. The height of this water fall is around 150 feet. The water fall originates from Pir Panchal and falls into a glacier.

Surankote Valley is situated between the mountain ranges, the Pir Panjal and Rattan Panjal, surrounded with peaks. The place is mentioned by the name of Sawernik in Rajatarangini. There was a big fort at the Surankote village, on the banks of River Suran in 1036 A.D, which was famous by the name of Kote. Combining the names of the river and the fort, the place is called Surankote.

Mandi is a village located on the confluence of two streams namely Gagri and Pulsta. The place is situated in a valley, which is narrow and surrounded with steep hills. The village is located at a distance of 20 km from Poonch town.