Khag, Jammu and Kashmir

Khag (Urdu;Kashmiri;کھاگ Hindi;खग) is a tehsil headquarter in central Kashmir. It is a town, municipality and Block in Badgam district in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. Khag is located about 35 km West from State summer capital Srinagar and about 45 km from district headquarters in Budgam.^[1]

Khag is also known for its springs and according to locals as many as 35 springs are there in Khag. Ancient people have defined it as the "Garden of Paradise"

Initially it was one of the blocks of Beerwah Tehsil, after the Government of Jammu and Kashmir opened new administrative units in 2008 Khag was granted tehsil status.

Geography

Khag is located at an elevation of 8,000 to 14,000 ft above sea level, it is surrounded by mountains measuring 17,000 ft in height between 75° E longitude and 33° N latitude at the base of the Pir Panjal mountain range. The place is covered with greenery and during summers shepherds in large numbers bring their sheep here for grazing. The region contains forest areas with several mountain rivers and streams, including the Mala Kol, Kunze Kol, Nala Gogaldara. The Mala Kol is locally known as the "deaf and dumb stream" due to a legend that when saint Syed Taj-ud-Din arrived in Khag, the stream silently followed him from Sukhnag to Sikandarpora. Local elders continue to tell stories about other local streams.^[2]

Tourist Destinations

Tosamaidan

The Tosa Maidan pasture and tourist destination falls in Khag Tehsil. It is a large pasture with a historical background. Bounded by dense forests of deodars, it is situated about 10km from Khag in the Himalayas. Many countries' shepherds used to visit the area in ancient times, and it was a frequent route for Mughals travelling to Poonch district and Punjab in Pakistan. Today the area is frequently used by local shepherds and the Gujjar community.It was occupied by the Indian Army up to the year 2013. After its lease expired it was opened for the public by Government of Jammu and Kashmir with efforts initiated by Omar Abdullah and Saifuddin Soz. The Mughals used to go to Poonch using this route. It is said that they had constructed a seven-storeyed building – Dam-Dam - here. The Basmai Gali (13,000 ft) is the pass which leads into Tosa Maidan. Another pass - Poonch Gali - on its right side leads to the valley of Poonch. This pass was deemed to be the safest, easiest, and nearest to reach Punjab in ancient times. From here, a path also leads to Nilnag. Tosa Maidan is the largest pasture in its surrounding areas, 3 miles in length and 1.5 miles in width. Sky-touching deodars and pinus fence this pasture presenting a view of a green carpet in summer.

Pehjan

Pehjan is an alpine pasture situated about 25 km from Khag in the lap of the Himalayas. The route of the place is from Khag to Gogaldara via Anzwaer. The place is serene, picturesque and rich in deodars covered with various kinds of asters and several plants of saussuera lappa (Kuth).To reach this alpine pasture, one has to cross the green slopes of Gogaldara, Donwar, Brari Pather, Anzwaer and Yanga Pather. In local language it is called "Nueer". The place is covered with lush green forest on four sides and in the month of June shepherds from plains of tehsil Beerwah, Magam, Pattan bring their cattle and sheep for grazing.On the way to Pehjan there is a huge rock with Seven Pinus trees on its top (locally known as Satte Yaeer) which is considered to be the miracle of Sheikh ul Alam Sheikh Noor Din Noorani, besides this other Pinus tree erected on one of the big stone (locally known as Palle Yaeer) is also considered to be his miracle.

Nakwaer Pal (Nocturnal Rock)

On the way to alpine pasture Pehjan, there is the 14,000 ft-high Nakwaer Pal (the nostril rock) on the way. It is the highest peak of this range. About this rock it is said that when the Kashmir Valley was a lake (Sati Sar), boats used to be anchored with this rock. Today there is an iron hook within it. (Ded Bal), also known as (Lal Khanen Gher) the Place of Lal Khan falls on the way to pehjan. Here shepherds and Gujjars come from adjacent villages with their livestock.

Naranag

Naranag Khag

Naranag is a spring situated in Bus stand Khag. Naranag spring is also known as Narain Nag. The spring is known for its fishes and a fisheries farm has been built the by the fisheries department of Jammu and Kashmir. The water of the spring remains very cool during summer and warm during winter. Tosa Maidan Spring is considered to be the origin of the spring, which according to locals merges with Nara Nag only after flowing various kilometers below the soil. According to local legend, an ascetic passing through Tosa Maidan spring once dropped a bag full of sheep dung into the lake. When he reached naranag Khag several days later, he saw the dung floating on the surface of the Naranag. He returned to Tosa Maidan and sprinkled some turmeric powder into the lake, which appeared in the water in the Naranag.

Sita Haran (Sutharan)

Known for its spring, Sitaharan is located near Tosa Maidan and the Line of Actual Control. According to local legend, (Vanvas) Ram Chander stayed here during his 12-year-long exile with Lakshman and Sita. The spring's name comes from Sita who is said to have bathed in the spring.The name got later changed toSut Haran. Close to the spring is a rock which, according to the legend, was used by Sita to sit on. The spring is also said to be the origin of a small lake, Tosa maidan. The water of the spring is very sweet.

Other Places

Pushkar Nag is located to the east of Poshker village some 15 km from Khag between Khag and Ferozpora, and is named for the village of its origin. According to local history, during the month of Sawan, Kashmiri Pandits would offer prayers and take a ritual dip in the spring. Some devotees continue to perform the ritual today. Gandhak Nag is a sulfur spring in the Drung Khaipora village of Khag. The healing properties of the sulfur make the spring locally significant.

Demographics

Khag village has a population of 6,663 of which 3401 are males while 3,262 are females as per Population Census 2011.

In Khag village population of children with age 0-6 is 1479 which makes up 22.20 % of total population of village. Average Sex Ratio of Khag village is 959 which is higher than Jammu and Kashmir state average of 889. Child Sex Ratio for Khag as per census is 931, higher than Jammu and Kashmir average of 862. Khag has a lower literacy rate compared to Jammu and Kashmir. In 2011, literacy rate of Khag was 63.00 % compared to 67.16 % of Jammu and Kashmir. Male literacy stands at 71.35 % while female literacy rate was 54.37.

As of the 2011 census Khag had 856 families residing there.

Economy

Much of the local economy is agricultural. Crops grown include rice, mustard, vegetables, apples, walnuts, pears, apricots, cherries and almonds.The economy in Khag includes smaller businesses such as carpet design (Kaleen in the Kashmiri language), shawl design and knitwork, and embroidery. Kashmiri carpets and shawls are marketed internationally, but due to increasing prices, family pressure and low income, local textile makers have shifted to other businesses.

Education

The schools in the area include both government-run and private schools of varying levels.Khag is also one of the educational zone of Budgam district with Zonal Educational Officer.^[3]

Government Schools

• Government Middle School (Boys), Khag.
• Government Middle School (Girls), Khag.
• Government Higher Secondary Institute, Khag Budgam.

Private Schools

• Kohsar Public School Khag.
• Kastoorwan Public School, Khag.
• Royal Edge Public School, Khag.
• Nawrozbaba Public School, Khag.
• Elite Educational Institute, Khag.^[4]

Transportation

Khag is connected with State capital Srinagar Via Aripanthan and Magam. It is also connected to Budgam district headquarters via Beerwah Degree College road through Kangripora and Drung, and also through Aripanthan-Beerwah road.

The nearest Railway Station is Mazhama Railway Station about 19 km away.

The closest airport is Srinagar International Airport about 55 km away.

A number of private organisations also run transport companies and 24-hour taxi service.

References