Summary
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] It is also known as Bhadrakashi. The ancient name of Bhaderwah is Bhadravakasa as mentioned in Kalhana's Rajatarangini.[7] For its high literacy rate it is known as Kerala of Jammu and Kashmir.[8]
Bhaderwah
Bhadarwah | |
|---|---|
from top, left to right: view of Bhadarwah town with Kailash Kund range in the background; Mela Patt, a folk celebration in Bhadarwah; Kailash Kund Lake or Kablas Dal | |
  Bhaderwah Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India  Bhaderwah Bhaderwah (India) | |
| Coordinates: 32°58′48″N 75°42′49″E / 32.980033°N 75.713706°E | |
| Country |  India |
| Union Territory |  Jammu & Kashmir |
| Division | Jammu |
| District | Doda |
| Area | |
| • 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 |
History, Culture & Heritage edit
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).[9]
Mela Patt edit
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.[10] 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.[11]
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 edit
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%.[12]
Religion edit
Per the 2011 census, Hindus formed a majority of Bhaderwah tehsil's population, constituting 58.02% of the total.[12][13] 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.[14]
Languages edit
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.[15] 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.[15]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1911 | 2,563 | — |
| 1921 | 2,603 | +0.15% |
| 1931 | 2,895 | +1.07% |
| 1941 | 2,989 | +0.32% |
| 1951 | 3,559 | +1.76% |
| 1961 | 4,129 | +1.50% |
| 1971 | 5,211 | +2.35% |
| 1981 | 6,075 | +1.55% |
| 2001 | 10,516 | +2.78% |
| 2011 | 11,084 | +0.53% |
| Source: [1] | ||
Climate edit
| Climate data for Bhaderwah (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1977–2012) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 21.8 (71.2) |
24.8 (76.6) |
29.7 (85.5) |
32.6 (90.7) |
38.4 (101.1) |
39.3 (102.7) |
39.4 (102.9) |
37.2 (99.0) |
35.1 (95.2) |
32.4 (90.3) |
28.7 (83.7) |
22.9 (73.2) |
39.4 (102.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 12.1 (53.8) |
13.1 (55.6) |
18.2 (64.8) |
23.4 (74.1) |
27.3 (81.1) |
30.5 (86.9) |
30.5 (86.9) |
29.8 (85.6) |
28.4 (83.1) |
24.6 (76.3) |
20.1 (68.2) |
14.8 (58.6) |
22.7 (72.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −1.0 (30.2) |
0.2 (32.4) |
3.5 (38.3) |
7.2 (45.0) |
10.1 (50.2) |
13.9 (57.0) |
16.9 (62.4) |
16.5 (61.7) |
12.4 (54.3) |
6.6 (43.9) |
3.0 (37.4) |
0.4 (32.7) |
7.5 (45.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −10.8 (12.6) |
−9.2 (15.4) |
−6.5 (20.3) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
0.2 (32.4) |
5.2 (41.4) |
7.0 (44.6) |
8.1 (46.6) |
2.5 (36.5) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
−6.5 (20.3) |
−10.8 (12.6) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 125.3 (4.93) |
170.9 (6.73) |
171.5 (6.75) |
123.8 (4.87) |
94.1 (3.70) |
74.8 (2.94) |
141.0 (5.55) |
121.0 (4.76) |
92.2 (3.63) |
38.8 (1.53) |
35.9 (1.41) |
72.5 (2.85) |
1,262.6 (49.71) |
| Average rainy days | 6.8 | 8.5 | 8.6 | 7.5 | 7.4 | 7.1 | 9.8 | 9.3 | 4.9 | 2.6 | 2.4 | 3.9 | 78.5 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) | 63 | 64 | 57 | 51 | 51 | 51 | 64 | 68 | 60 | 51 | 54 | 58 | 58 |
| Source: India Meteorological Department[16] | |||||||||||||
Tourism edit
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.[17] 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.[18]
The main hub to reach Bhadarwah is Jammu. Jammu is connected both by Air and Rail to all major Indian Metros. It is approximately 200 Kms form Jammu to Bhaderwah by road. The road can be divided in four main spots as:
| Jammu - Udhampur | 65 Kms. (by road) |
| NH-1A - {50 Kms (by Train)} | |
| Udhampur - Batote | 55 Kms - NH-1A |
| Batote - Pul Doda | 50 Kms - NH-1B |
| Pul Doda – Bhaderwah | 30 Kms |
Adventure edit
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 edit
References edit
- ^ a b c A-4 Towns And Urban Agglomerations Classified By Population Size Class In 2011 With Variation Since 1901. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (Report).
Class - IV Population of 10,000 and 19,999 (Report). - ^ Kaul, P.K. (2006). Pahari and Other Tribal Dialects of Jammu. Vol. I. Delhi: Eastern Book Linkers. p. 31.
- ^ Block Development Councillor
- ^ "Members of BDC - District Doda". India. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
- ^ "Explore Bhaderwah in Jammu Province". Department of Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Administrative Setup | District Doda | India". Retrieved 7 February 2022.
- ^ Charak, Dinker (22 January 2022). "The History of Kashmir - Reading Kalhana's Rajatarangini (The Waves of the Rulers) - Ranjit Sitaram Pandit's Translation". Dinker Charak. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ "Bhaderwah". Bhaderwah Heavens. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ Excelsior, Daily (6 February 2016). "Past, present of Doda". Daily Excelsior. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "Three-day historic Mela-Patt begins". Daily Excelsior. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "भद्रवाह में धूमधाम से संपन्न हुआ मेला पट्ट" [Mela Patt concluded with great pomp in Bhaderwah]. Punjab Kesari (in Hindi). 29 August 2017. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ a b Sharma, Neetika (2021), "Naag Deity Worship in Bhaderwah: A Case Study of Jaatra Ritual", in Chauhan, Abha (ed.), Understanding Culture and Society in India: A Study of Sufis, Saints and Deities in Jammu Region, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd., p. 218, ISBN 978-981-16-1597-9
- ^ a b C-1 Population By Religious Community – Jammu & Kashmir (Report). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ Kaul, P.K. (1993), Himalayan Pricipalities in Jammu, Kangra and Bhadarwah, Jay Kay Book House
- ^ a b c C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Jammu & Kashmir (Report). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ "Station: Badarwah Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 57–58. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- ^ "DC Doda discusses Bhaderwah Tourism Promotion Plan with private stakeholders". Universal News Timeline. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ "5-Day Vibrant Bhaderwah Winter Festival Concludes on a high note". Jammu Link News. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
External links edit
- Bhaderwah Development Authority