Bhaderwah

Bhaderwah भदेरवाह
Hill station
Bhaderwah Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India
Coordinates: 32°59′N 75°43′E / 32.98°N 75.72°E / 32.98; 75.72Coordinates: 32°59′N 75°43′E / 32.98°N 75.72°E / 32.98; 75.72
Country	India
State	Jammu and Kashmir
District	Doda
Elevation	1,613 m (5,292 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	22,942
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Website	www.bhaderwah.com

Bhaderwah is a town and a notified area committee in Doda district in the Indian administered state of Jammu and Kashmir.^[1] Bhaderwah valley is predominantly a mountainous town situated 80 km from Batote

Bhadarwah is located at 32°59′N 75°43′E / 32.98°N 75.72°E / 32.98; 75.72.love an average elevation of 1,613 metres (5,295 feet). Bhadarwah is located on the foothills of middle Himalayas.The town is endowed with breath-taking natural beauty which is why it is popularly called "mini Kashmir".Apart from having picture perfect scenic beauty due to beautiful forests, there are many small streams flowing through various parts of the town.The Halyan river flows through the main market of the town.

History ^[2]

Bhaderwah also known as “Nagon ki bhoomi” means ‘land of Snakes'. The history is very little known to general masses. The Bhaderwah Town ( Nagar Bhaderwah ) was known as Hettary Nagar and prior to that, there were two other towns namely Donga nagar and Udho Nagar. Both the Nagar was situated around villages Mondha which is about 3 km. In the East of present Bhaderwah town.

History tells us that sometime back both the Nagars were flooded due to torrential floods from Himalayan Ranges, and the presence of the big boulders in abundance available in the present era reveal the story of disaster occurred then. Later on, the people of Bhaderwah selected a place for their rehabilitation in Seeri (from word ‘SEER' meaning a vast piece of land), now known as Seeri Bazar, a vast field belonging to a Zamindar (Farmer) and reconstructed their dwellings around it.

The revolutionaries followed him with great Zeal, and killed him in the cave itself. After two months from this incident, the Govt. of Chamba once again raided Bhaderwah. The forces under the command of Shagtu Kotwal fought with the forces of Chamba Raja at Padri Dhar for at least three days wherein the general Nathu Ram of Chamba was badly defeated.

A few days after repulsing the Chamba Force, he managed to present himself before Maharaja Gulab Singh at Jammu for accession of Bhaderwah with the J&K State. The Maharaja Gulab Singh gladly accepted the proposal and the brave General Shagtu Kotwal was awarded with a Jagir (Poperty) in Kailar named Droundi. It occurred during the year of 1902 Bikrami i.e. in about 1854, when the revenue of Rabi Crop was collected by the Chamba Rulers and that of Kharief Crop Revenue by the Jammu and Kashmir Rulers.

Culture ^[3]

DHAKKU and GHURAI, which is religious in inspiration and characteristically devotional in nature. The dance DHAKKU is not a dance of individual participation or of a small group, but a large number of men participate in the dance. Despite of the fact that large numbers of people participate in the dance, a complete synchronization in the hands and feet is seen with elaborate, rythmatic movements and planned steps, backward and forward. Dance is performed in three stages depending upon completion of a particular ‘ TAAL '. First stage is smooth and consistent in movement, which is called ‘DHAKKU'. The second stage called ‘DHORU DHAKKU' where in the movement gets accelerated and in the final stage called ‘LAASTI', climax of the dance is reached and spectators gets into ecstasy. Instruments used; In the course of dance are Dhols, Flute, Bells and historical important instrument ‘NARSINGHS'.

DHAKKU is performed on a special occasion called ‘KOOD' which signifies the annual religious festival of the people, some how similar to the ‘MEL' gathering of other places in JAMMU . KOOD is celebrated once but on different dates at different places. There is a central camp fire in the night, around which the DHAKKU is performed. Both cultural assets: DHAKKU and KOOD find its religious importance in vast areas from Lahul-Spiti, Pangi of Himachal Pardesh to Duddu, Basant Garh and Ramnagar area of Udhampur including Bhaderwah, Doda, Kelar, Padar and other.

The other major Dance is ‘GHURAI' in which only women participate. The name of the dance GHURAI is because of the fact that this particular dance is performed with the accompaniment of particular song ‘GHURAI' sung by the participants. Some view that the dance name is named after GORI MATA consort of SHIVA. Women observe a fast on GAURI TRITYA worship GORI MATA and seek blessing for their continued marital status. This is called KONCHOWTH Fast and the occasion is termed as KONCHOWTH. In the evening women assemble at a common place and GHURAI is performed. Widows are excluded from the fast and dance. No musical instrument is used in the course dance. They dance in a circle. At the end of each round they clap their hands gently, bend down and touch the ground and dance again.

It is a hidden fact for the general masses that these both dance which represent the Duggar dances, are basically the dances of culturally and religious rich place Bhaderwah. The matter of concern is that, this dance is wrongly pronounced as ‘KOOD' instead of ‘DHAKKU'. The original name of the dance must be conserved and Jammu & Kashmir Cultural Academy and other organizations of state culture should promote the DHAKKU as DHAKKU.

• Kanchoth ^[4]
• Dharamdees ^[5]
• Shakti Pooja ^[6]
• Piala ^[7]
• Naag Pooja ^[8]
• Marriages ^[9]

Tourism potential

Bhadarwah always had a great potential of a popular tourist destination but due to lack of infrastructure it could not convert potential into reality.But after the efforts of Mr Gulam Nabi Azad, Bhadarwah is being developed into a model tourist destination. Bhadarwah Development Authority set up by Govt of J & K is acting as a nodal agency to bring Bhadarwah into the tourist map of the country. Apart from the natural scenic beauty, Bhadarwah also has numerous historical and religious places. The Bhadarwah Fort which was used as a Distt. jail is being revamped and developed.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[10] Bhaderwah had a population of 22,942. Males constitute 58% of the population and females 42%. Bhaderwah has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national

Education

Bhaderwah has long been known for the large number of people who have done very well in academics, something that is attributed to the setting up of a degree college in the mid-fifties. Education has received another massive boost with the University of Jammu setting up its Bhaderwah Campus which was constructed at the nearby Sungli village which was inaugurated by the President of India Pratibha Patil.^[11] Earlier the Campus operated from rented premises at the Pasri Bazaar. Among the programmes offered are M.B.A., M.C.A., and a Masters programme in English.

Natural disasters

Bhaderwah was hit with a strong earthquake on May 1, 2013, measuring 5.8 on the Richter Scale. The earthquake killed two people and injured more than 100.^[12]

References

External links

"Bhaderwah Facebook Fan Page". Retrieved May 6, 2013.