| Voice of Poonch : Abdul
Hakim
Population in Punch (Census 2011)
Total Population
Total : 476820
Male : 252240
Female : 224580
Under 6 population
Total : 84112
Male : 44390
Female : 39722
Brief About Poonch District
Introduction
Poonch district is the smallest of the 14 districts of
J&K State.It falls between 33degree-25' to 34degree-01'north
latitude and 73degree-58' to 74degree-35' east longitude.Poonch
is bounded by the the districts of Baramulla and Pulwama of Kashmir
Valley in the north-east,illegally occupied areas of the State by
Pakistan in the north west and by the Rajouri district in the south.
Spread over an area of 1,674 Sq.Kms,Poonch district is totally hilly
and mountainous barring few-low lying vales.It has varied climate
depending upon altitude of the place.
The district comprises three tehsils of Haveli,Mendhar
and Surankote.It has 178 villages of which 168 are inhabited,51
Panchayats and a town.A small district with comparatively less population,Poonch
district has a rich cultrual heritage and distinct historical background
connected with the great Mughals. The caravans of Mughal emperors
for Kashmir passed through Poonch district in 17th Century and that
route is known as Mughal road. The district has an area of 1.14
Lakh hectares of which 23 percent is cultivable.There are 37,000
land holdings covering an area of 54,000 hectares as per 1980-81(Census).
About 3,0000 hectares are irrigated principal crops of the district
are maize,paddy and wheat while Maize is the staple food of the
people. Poonch district offers a representative of the State in
clime,culture and secular outlook. The people speak Gojari and Punchi
which according to Grieson, is a sister language of Punjabi dialect
Lendhi. Both the languages have rich folk lores Potari and folk
songs.
Historical Places and Monuments
Buddha Amarnath
Twent five Kms.in the north east of Poonch town
is situated an ancient temple of Lord Shiva on the left bank of
Pulsta stream. The area is known as Rajpura mandi two Kms.above
mandi village. This is a unique Shiva Temple which is located on
the foot hill and not on the hill top and secondly the Shivaling
of white stone is not self-made.The stream which flows near it,is
loran stream but it is belived by the locals the Ravan's grand father
Pulasta Rishi performed his tapasya and thus is known as Pulsta
stream. This shrine is said to be older than of Amarnathji of Kashmir.
Thousands of people visit on Rakhsa Bandhan.
Ramkund
Another well known shirne located about 68 Kms.from
Poonch town is that of Ram Kund. Believed to be of Mahabharat period,it
is just 11 Kms.away from Mendhar. The temple was said to be constructed
by Raja Lalitaditya while others believe that Raja renovated it,and
originally it was constructed by Lord Rama when he was on his way
to Kashmir. There are three springs. People take bath on first
of bright half of Chaitra.
Ziarat Sain
Situated in village Guntrian,10 Kms.from Poonch,the
Ziarat of saint Sain Mira Sahib is a popular pilgrim centre,Hundreds
of devotees visit this Ziarat.
Nangali Sahib
Nangali Sahib Gurudwara is situated on the left
bank of Drungli Nallah,which is four Kms.away from Poonch City.
This gurudwara was established by Sant Bhai Mela Singh who is said
to have visited this shrine in 1810 A.D.when he was on his way to
conquer Kashmir.
Ziarat Chhotay Sahib
Located 58 Kms.away from Poonch and 4 Kms.from
Mendhar this Ziarat is situated in the village Sakhimaidan. Hundreds
of piligrims come to this place every day.
Tourist Places
There are several beautiful spots on the foothill
of Pir Panchal mountain range.These are:
Behramgala
Situated at the foothill of 8,600 ft.high Rattan peak on the historic
Mughal Road about 45 Kms from Poonch Town. Behramgala is small
picturesque spot in a deep gorge.It is small plateau surrounded
by mountains and forests.Just near to it is the confluence of Thatta
pani and Parnai streams which further adds to its otherwise scenic
and natural beauty.
Noori Chamb
A famous water fall in the district also connected with the Mughal
Emperors is located in the north east of Behram Gala.This water
fall is yet another scenic spot which has tremendous tourist potential.The
fall of the stream gives rise to dense clouds of water vapours which
engulfs the area and spread all over.The emperor Jahangir had developed
so much fancy and liking for this fall that he named it Noori Chamb
after the name of his beloved queen Noorjahan.
Buffliaz
Another beautiful hilly spot situated on the foothill
of Peer Rattan range is Buffliaz,39 Kms.east of Poonch twon.The
village named after the horse of Alexander the great(Bunifales)who
is said to have died there,is situated on both the banks of Poonch
river.
Loran
A small town situated 34 Kms.north of Poonch town
was once the capital of Poonch State under Hindu ruler upto
1542. According to Rajatarangini,it was then known as Lohar Kote.There
are ruins of the Lohar Kote Fort which was called as Gateway of
Kashmir but now it is destroyed.At this fort,Raja Trilochan Pal
defeated Sultan Mahmood Gazanavi.This spot is surrounded by forests
and some snow clad peaks.
Surankote
In Rajatarangini,this town was described as Sawernik
in the past.Nealy in 1036 A.D.there was a big fort called kote.
Combining the name of the town with the fort,it become Sawernik
Kote which ultimately changed to its present name of Surankote.
It is very charming valley surrounded by snow clad peaks and is
known as Pahalgam of Poonch.
Krishna Ghati
This beautiful hilly and forest area is located
24 Kms.from Poonch town.The hill top,known as Krishna Ghati gives
a commanding view of natural scenic beauty.The area is connected
with a dependable road.
Girgen
It is bewitching valley of seven lakes.This valley
is located about 70 Kms. from Poonch town.This area is also important
from trekking point of view. Neel Sar,Nandan Sar,Katora Sar are
among the fascinating high altitude lakes.Several trekking expeditions
used to come in this valley and trek to these lakes.
Poonch Fort
The foundation of historic fort building in the capital truncated
Poonch district,was laid by Raja Abdul Razak Khan in 1713 A.D.
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