Khoi Ratta

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Khoi Ratta is a town in Kotli District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.

[edit] Location

Khoi Ratta lies 78 km southeast of Kotli. A vibrant town, at an elevation of 2570 meters above sea-level, it is most famous for the annual Baisakhi (festival). Thousands of people from the Kotli and other adjoining districts attend the festival in spring to watch sports, animal parades and horticultural displays. The nearby Banah is a beautiful area, full of natural springs and waterfalls. Several springs emerge from the mountains at Bahees Naraha. In ancient times this was an important Hindu place of worship. Close to Khoi Ratta are the Bagh Fatehpur and Bagh Sain Hazuri which are known for their natural beauty. Thousands of people flock to the Mai-ka-Makam Shrine, some 4 km from Khoi Ratta, to pay homage to Mai Toti Sahiba.

Khoi Ratta, lying close to the Cease-Fire-Line, has been the site of Indian army shelling in recent years. This has caused military and civilian casualties.

Khoiratta lies 38 kilometres from Kotli ahead, Khoiratta and surrounding areas are popular with tourists due to the historic remains of gardens and fountains. 4 kilometres away from Khoiratta is the famous shrine of "Mai Totti Sahiba" which is visited by hundreds of people daily. Khoiratta is also well known for its vasakhi mela. For the last 50 years this mela has been held in Dehari Bagh. Thousands of people gather from as far away as Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala. The mela lasts for 3 days, activities include bull racing, wrestling, football and fairground rides. Khoiratta has had some well known residents, they include: Ghazi Abdul Rahman Marhoom, Major Jan Marhoom, Headmaster Alf-Uddin Marhoom and Ch Mohammed Akbar Marhoom, of Dehari Bagh. Khoiratta is approximately 7 kilometres from the border area. It has other small towns, eg Serri, Brottgala and Karjai.

Khoiratta has good educational facilities, it has degree colleges for both boys and girls. A good number of private kindergartens. English medium schools also exist, a good example is the "Holy Public" school and college. Khoiratta is also renowned for pirs and faqirs and the most revered - "Mai Totti Sahiba".