Bir Ghaggar

Bir Ghaggar is a rural area in suburbs of Chandimandir Cantonment of the Indian Army located in Panchkula district, at the foot of the Shivalik Hills adjoining Panchkula city, in Haryana, India. The village houses Chandi Devi Temple from where Chandimandir as well as Chandigarh derive their respective names.

Details

Bir Ghaggar was established during 1947 partition riots when the refugees coming from Pakistan took shelter in this partially forest covered area. Soon after independence, Chandimandir was made a cantonment and since then Bir Ghaggar has been the abode of retired military personnel coming from all parts of India. The climate of Bir Ghaggar is influenced by the location of the village in the foothills of Shivaliks, near Kasauli, and the maritime effect of river Ghaggar. There is government run dispensary in the village. The village recently came into news due to a controversial land case between Indian Forestry Department and Radha Soami Satsang Board. The literacy level is relatively poor in Bir-Ghaggar. Army personnel send their children to schools in cantonment while other children have low enrollment rate in two government aided schools in the village.

Economy

The economy of Bir Ghaggar mainly depends upon the industrial belt of Chandigarh-Kalka. Availability of cheap unskilled labor from villages like Bir Ghaggar is one of the major reasons for the growth of industries in this belt. Apart from industrial labor, the villagers are also involved in activities like dairy, sheep husbandry, and shopkeeping. Villagers are also involved in minor economic activities in Chandimandir Cantonment Area. Most of the villagers are volunteers in the Radha Soami Satsang Sewa Program held on a weekly basis.