Pampore

Pampore Pampar Saffron town of Kashmir
city
Pampore Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India
Coordinates: 34°01′N 74°56′E / 34.02°N 74.93°E / 34.02; 74.93Coordinates: 34°01′N 74°56′E / 34.02°N 74.93°E / 34.02; 74.93
Country	India
State	Jammu and Kashmir
District	Pulwama
Elevation	1,574 m (5,164 ft)
Population (2001)
• Total	46,595
Languages
• Official	Urdu
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)

Pampore or Pampur is a town and a notified area committee in Pulwama district in Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.It is famous for it Saffron Cultivation, so known as saffron town of kashmir.

Geography

Pampore is located at 34°01′N 74°56′E / 34.02°N 74.93°E / 34.02; 74.93.^[1] It has an average elevation of 1,574 metres (5,164 feet). The town is situated on the eastern bank of Veth also known as Jehlum (in Urdu). It extends from Galandar in South to Frestbal in North, being in close proximity to Srinagar city with a distance of 14 km from Lal Chowk. Pampore is divided into many Mohallas namely Namblabal, Frestabal, Kadlabal, Laterbal, Tulbagh, Khanka Bagh, Baghandar. Pampore is the most urbanized area of its district, Pulwama. Nearby towns: Awantipora 15 km, Ratnipora 10 km, Athwajan 7km, Khrew 10km. Nearby cities: Srinagar14km.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[2] Pampore tehsil had a population of 46,595. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Pampore has an average literacy rate of 59%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 69%, and female literacy. As in 2011, Pampore town had a population of 21,680, males being 11007 (51%) and females 10673 (49%). ^[3]

It is more a suburban town with all the facilities like fire station, hospital and other amenities. In educational sector both government and private schools exist in the town. Newly constructed degree college is ready.ITI is also present for some years now.

Religion

Most population of this town follow Islam while as neighbouring town of Khrew is inhabited by a few Kashmiri Hindu families as well. Pre-Hindu migration due to insurgency in 1989, Pampore town was home to a good number of Kashmiri Pandits, a symbol of which is seen as a temple in main heart of Pampore. Pampore has one of the oldest mosques of Kashmir known as Khankah. It is primarily made of wood which is said to be brought by floods as per sayings but there is no written record for it. It is said that once heavy floods washed away the old mosque and then same floods brought about with them wood that rested at the place where mosque stood earlier and hence locals decided to built the Khahkah with this wood. Very close to Khankah is the joint Shrine of two great Sufi Saints Kwaja Massod-i-Wali and Hazrat Sheikh Shariff-u-Din.

Economy

Though in earlier times agriculture used to be the main occupation of the people in Pampore but due to wide spread of education there are all sorts of occupations. But business still remains the hot favourite choice amongst the people. The town is famous for its saffron fields, claimed to produce the world's best saffron. Most of the people have land in under the saffron cultivation, and can be seen picking flowers in the flower picking season. Pampore is also famous for its baked bread Girda (also called Shirmal) baked by famous bread maker, Hema Malini at Namlabal Pampore. This bread is often served in marriage functions and other religious functions.The economy of the town was badly hit by September floods that devasted almost everything. The town is now coming out of the destruction. Buisness is booming again in the main town.

Transport

National highway passes through the main town which makes it an important area.Railway is also passing through the town and nearest railway station is pampore railway station. Huge construction is taking place for the express-way which is believed to ease the traffic.

See also

• Srinagar railway station

References