Tourist Places In Rajouri

Introduction

Rajouri district, which is part of the Jammu Province, is bordered to the north by Poonch, to the south by Jammu, to the east by Reasi, and to the west by POK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Mirpur).

The Rajouri region was very significant in antiquity. Panchal Desa was the name of a kingdom in the Mahabharata. Panchal Naresh, the ruler of this nation, had a daughter named Draupadi, who wed the Pandavas. The Panchal mountain range is what historians refer to as Panchal Desa. This Panchal Naresh empire also included Rajouri.

From a historical perspective, it is thought that Rajouri, which means "the land of kings," grew into the town we know today as Rajouri. Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese traveler, explored the town in 632 AD and wrote about it in his travelogues, describing it as being in Kashmir. Even earlier, Afghanistan, Gandhar, and Tashkent were all a part of the Gandhar realm during the Buddhist era. At the time, Rajouri and Loharakote in the Poonch district had become two significant states.

Mughal emperors continued to stop in Rajouri frequently on their journey to Kashmir. Rajouri joined Maharaja Gulab Singh's empire, which included Ladakh and the combined territory of Jammu and Kashmir, after 1846. The proud remnant of this town's rich historical past is the Rajouri Fort at Dhannidhar, which is close to Rajouri town.

Here is the list of famous tourist places in Rajouri;

1. Shahdara Sharief

The Ziyarat Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah (R.A.) Shahdara Sharief is located in the Rajouri district at a height of 5807 feet over mean ocean level and at 33.30 degree north latitude & 74.26 degrees east longitude.

The region has year-round typical temperatures of about 20 degrees Celsius as a result of its location in the centre of Mountains (Pir-Punjal) which comprise the Himalayas.

However, it can increase to 30 degrees whenever it's exceptionally hot in June and decreases by 1 degree when it snows. Typically, the region falls under the highland temperate climate zone.

The funny terrain and breathtaking beauty of Shahdara remind one of Kashmir's Kashmir Valley. Visitors come to Shahdara Sharief from Manu Naka in the east, the Bagla Kopra peak in the west, Dehragalli (5900ft) in the Neza peer, yet Chamrede Galli in the north because each season there is unmatched and seductive.

The air is filled with the scent of spring blossoms in the summer, rich foliage in the winter, with a white carpet near the foot of Dargah 100k. Shahdara is known by the moniker "SeinDara". Dara denotes a house or maskin, while Sein denotes a loin. This place was called Sein Dara before Baba (R.A.) came, and then it became Shahdara Sharief.

2. Dehra Ki Gali

One of the crossings connecting the Rajouri & Poonch districts, this lovely scenic area is located in the Pir Panjal Range at approximately 6600 feet from sea level. The winter months bring a lot of snowfall. The visitor is drawn to and charmed by the dense foliage cover.

Project Beacon built a one-room flat on top of the hill, providing a wonderful vantage point from which to view the entire region. The Executive Engineer, R&B, Rajouri, can rent out the two-room inspection hut that the State PWD Department recently built to guests without requiring a reservation. The administration should consider building more huts there to boost tourism in this state region. A well-known Rattan Pir temple is located nearby.

3. Dhanidhar Fort

Kashmir took Rajouri in 1819, and Maharaja Ranjit Singh replaced Raja Agar Khan as ruler of Rajouri by appointing Mirza ReheemUllah Khan.

Raja Raheem Ullah Khan continued to rule the Rajouri principality until 1846, under Khalsa Darbar Lahore's jurisdiction. Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu and Kashmir purchased Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh from the British on March 15, 1846. By doing this, Maharaja Gulab Singh also gained control over the Rajouri principality.

Raja Raheem Ullah Khan of Rajouri and Maharaja did not get along. Hence the Maharaja ordered him to resign. Raja Raheem Ullah Khan, however, resisted. Under these conditions, Maharaja Gulab Singh and his army arrived in Rajouri and removed Raja Raheem Ullah Khan and his government. On October 26, 1846, Raja Raheem Ullah Khan was forced to flee the principality with his family and rallies.

Maharaja Gulab Singh then appointed the governor for Rajouri to be Mian Hathu.

Rajouri was ruled by Mian Hathu from 1846 until 1856 AD. He began work on the Dhannidhar Fort precisely during this time. In erecting the Fort, he used the stones and materials from the Jaral Rajas' buildings destroyed during Maharaja Ranjit Singh's invasion of Kashmir. 1855 A.D. saw the completion of the Fort.

The primary goal of building the Fort was to retain Dogra Forces at this more secure location because it had a view of the Rajouri Valley. In addition, during the Dogra era, farmers were paid in the form of grains, which were then thrown in the Fort and sold. The defense has previously used this Fort.

4. Kotranka Budhal

At 40 kilometers away, Kotranka is a popular tourist destination on the Ans River's right bank. The naturalists and tourists visiting this location in the summer find it quite appealing. This is a beautiful, calming, and serene place to unwind during the summer heat.

Kotranka is the administrative center for Budhal, the largest Tehsil. Budhal comes from a wood found there and is renowned for its tough feel across PirPanjal. This represents the coldest location in Rajouri, where snow covers the ground for more than four to five months.

This village serves as the starting point for the grueling journey to ARNAS and SEDHUE for hikers, nomads, and their flocks. This location continues to be of particular interest to those who plan to go by this route to the Kashmir valley. Another gorgeous location close to Budhal is Klhad. It's a tiny, lovely plateau, and the water there stays cold in the summer & hot in the winter. Six km from Budhal lies Nambal, renowned for its natural beauty.

Although the district is not listed on the State's tourist map, district authorities have begun working hard to change that. To do so, efforts are being made to build tourist-friendly infrastructure in places like Chingus, Rajouri, Dera-ki-Gali, etc.

The Special Commissioner, Rajouri-Poonch, deserves praise for his efforts in the case, as he visited the highest levels of the Pir Panjal and made a video film about the lakes and meadows there. This movie is so stunning that Door-Darshan aired it twice.

Best Time To Visit Rajouri District

The months of April through October are ideal for visiting Rajouri district. Temperatures often range from 20 and 35 degrees Celsius throughout this period of the year, making for a nice and delightful climate. The region sees significant snowfall and rain during these months, making it the perfect time for outdoor recreation and tourism.

Food And Flavours Of Rajouri District

The Rajouri district is located in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The traditional cuisine is well-known and has been strongly inspired by Kashmiri cuisine. Rajma, Rajmah Chawal, Rogan Josh, Yakhni Pulao, Kashmiri Pulao, Gushtaba, Methi Chaman, Kebabs, & Kulchas are the most well-known foods in the region.

Red kidney beans and rice combine to make the popular meal rajma. A thick tomato mixed with onion gravy makes the fiery lamb curry known as rogan josh. A meat and rice dish called Yakhni Pulao is prepared with yogurt and spices.

Using saffron, cinnamon, and other spices enhances Kashmiri pulao's flavor. Traditional Kashmiri cuisine, known as gushtaba, features meatballs in rich yogurt sauce. Fenugreek leaves, spices, and cottage cheese cubes are combined to create the flavorful dish known as methi chaman.

Popular regional appetizers made from chopped meat or vegetables include kebabs and kulchas.

5. Dudhadhari Temple

Rajouri is home to Dudhadhari Temple, often called Dudhadhari Barfani Ashram. The temple was constructed in honor of Saint Dudhadhari Baba, who is said to have survived solely on milk. In the town of Rajouri, this temple is the tallest.

6. Thannamandi

This location has a significant historical significance dating back to the Mughals, who were known to rest there while traveling between Delhi to Kashmir & vice versa. There is still an antique Mughal Sarai that recalls its illustrious past. This location has a really pleasant climate and doubles as a health resort. It is renowned for producing beautiful wooden goods as well. Just 6-7 miles away is the renowned Shahdara Sharief Shrine.

7. Mangla Mata Temple

About 70 kilometres from Rajouri, in the village of Bhawani in Tehsil Nowshera, is the location of Mangla Mata Dev Asthan. As Mangal Mai, it was formerly situated in Hamirpur (now in Pakistan). It is said that when construction on the Mangla Dam in Hamirpur, Pakistan, got underway in 1965 A.D. and the divine as of Mangal Mai entered the dam. As per the tales, a Brahman from Bhawani village named Late Pandit Nihal Chand dreamed that Mangla Mata had offered him darshan and requested that she be moved from here than coming from Hamirpur to the forests of Bhawani.

After a few days, a Brahman visited this location and discovered Mangal Mai's indies (a shape of the Goddess carved out of natural rock) in the cave. Every year, a major gathering during the Navratras is conducted in which pilgrims can pay their respects.

8. Ziarat Sain Ganji Sahib

The shrine, known as Sain Ganji Sahib Qadri, lies 10 km from Rajauri and views Jammu and Kashmir's Darhal Nala. Sain Ganji Sahib, born in a Gujjar household at Fatehpur, is the subject of this shrine. Shifa Pani, known for treating skin conditions, is located beneath it.

The complex of ancient temples in Panjnara. Panjnara, a tiny community in the Tehsil of Kalakote (Rajouri), is well-known for the majestic temple known as "Pandu Kund" there. The temple in Jammu province is one of the best remaining specimens of Kashmiri architectural outside of the valley.

The temple, constructed on a magnificent scale and dates to the ninth or tenth century A.D., is remarkably comparable to Buniyar temple and Deltha Mandir in the Baramulla district. A rectangle peristyle containing 55 cells facing the courtyard, a double-chambered doorway in the center of the eastern wall, and the main shrine make up this structure.

Conclusion

Rajouri is a city which forms a part of the Rajouri, which district and is located in the Jammu province of the Indian Union state of Jammu and Kashmir. On the Poonch Highway, it is approximately 155 kilometers (96 miles) from Srinagar & 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Jammu City.

The city is the location of Sikh Rajput General Banda Singh Bahadur's birthplace. Additionally located in this neighborhood is Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University.