BOOK REVIEW
BHADERWAH ( The Unexplored Heaven)
by Dharam Kant Dogra (
Mobile 9419249940)
Published by Aastha
Prakashan, Jalandhar ( Mob.09814527152)
Price Rs100/=
(Sold by the author
directly )
Bhaderwah falls in the Jammu division of
J&K UT. A
beautiful valley with hills of Kishtwar in its north, Chamba ( HP ) in its
east, Basholi area of Jammu near River Ravi in its south and Chenani area of
Udhampur district in its west, one can safely call this place, ‘A Queen of
Hills’. Perched at a height of about 5300 feet from sea level and surrounded by
snow-clad hills with Deodar forests on all sides, this area has its unique
history and culture. The Ratangarh Fort is one of the most historical and
cultural constructions seen in Bhaderwah town. Located on a small hillock, this
fort gives a scenic backdrop of pine trees and a complete panoramic view of
Bhaderwah Valley. Built in the year 1733 by Raja Methni Pal, this fort changed
hands several times. 1n 1821 it was captured by Chamba rulers.
In Bhaderwah, one
finds Kashmiri Pandits, Kashmiri Muslims, Thakkars, Wazirs, Kotwals, Dogra
Rajputs, Punjabis, Mahajans and Bhaderwahi-speaking locals living in peace and
harmony. The place remained a melting pot of many cultures and civilizations.
It was an independent principality amongst the 22 Hill States of Jammu before
it was annexed by the Chamba Kingdom in 1821. It was subsequently transferred
to Dogras in 1846 under the Treaty of Amritsar.
The book under review
has 176 pages for its text with additional 8 pages for 16 coloured photographs
that depict the culture and scenic beauty of the place. The author has
dedicated this work to the memory of his parents. Set in three chapters,
Bhaderwah: The Ultimate Tourist Destination, Bhaderwah: The Cultural Hub and
Bhaderwah: A Heaven Ravaged, the book gives the reader truthful information
about the history, climate, landmarks, tourist spots, religious places,
festivals, serpent worship culture, annual Yatras, music, dance, literature,
folk songs and anything and everything that one wants to know about this town,
its inhabitants and their rich culture.
The author has
exclusively assigned 5 pages to describe the ancient Vasuki Nag temple of the
town that has been a place of pilgrimage not only for the people of Doda,
Kishtwar and Bhaderwah but also for the Hindus of the J&K UT. A similar
detailed description exists about the ancient Gupt- Ganga temple dedicated to
Shiva- Mahadeva. The Chandi Mata temple overlooking the town has also been
described in detail by the author. Designed on the pattern of the Mata Chandi
temple of Machail ( Paddar), the author informs that this grand temple was
built due to the foresight and tireless efforts of Thakur Kulbir Singh Jamwal.
The temple has a commanding location. One can have a panoramic view of
Bhaderwah town from the temple.
The festivals and
Yatras of Bhaderwah bear the influence of the festivals and culture of Chamba
and adjoining hills of Himachal Pradesh. From the book, a reader gets detailed
and adequate information about the well-known Kailas Kund Yatra. Hindus believe
the Kailas Kund is the abode of Nagraj Vasuki. The Vasuki Puran also upholds
this belief. The author has devoted about 9 pages to this important annual Yatra
to Lake Kailas situated at an altitude of 14000 feet and about 21 km from
Bhaderwah town. While the author has taken great pains to describe other three
popular Yatras known as Ashtapati or Shadu Yatra, Manimahesh Yatra and Machail
(Paddar) Yatra, his gripping narrative about Mela Patt keeps the reader glued
to the book. Mela Patt is the most famous and well-attended fair of Bhaderwah
held every year in August/ September on Tritya of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada
month as per the Bikrami calendar. The fair is held in honour of Vasuki Nag,
the presiding deity of Bhaderwah. It is believed that Emperor Akbar had sent
valuable gifts for Vasuki Nag temple through Raja Nag Pal of Bhaderwah. The
Rajas of Bhaderwah especially from the Pal dynasty were ardent devotees of Sri
Vasuki Nag.
The book gives its
reader detailed information about many trekking routes in the Bhaderwah area, a
place also known as ‘Trekker's Paradise'. Apart from this, the book gives
valuable information about various ancient temples of the area dedicated to
various gods and goddesses like Bhadrakali, Sharika, Durga, Mahakali, Hidamba,
Chandika, Shiva and Ganesha. A reader also gets enough details about prominent
mosques and Ziarats of Bhaderwah especially Jama Masjid, Ziarat Syed Sikander Ali
Shah, Ziarat Hazrat Syed Badshah Sahib, Ziarat Hazrat Saain Sadeeq Shah, Ziarat
Moochh Maror, and Ziarat Hazrat Khaki Shah. The author informs that the old
Gurudwara in the town was destroyed during the 1947 disturbances. However, a
new Gurudwara has come up in village Kotli. This village has an Arya Samaj
temple as well. Bhaderwah town had a small chapel affiliated with the Church of
North India. The Buddhist sculptures found in the town stand stolen now.
In chapter 2, the
author has also listed many religious festivals and fairs of Bhaderwah.
Prominent amongst these can be listed as Makkar Sankranti or Maaghi, Dhundu
Kundu, Gauri Tritiya, Sharari ( Nag culture), Nela Re Nouratan, Dharamdees,
Tihaar, Chaitra Chyodeh, Baisakhi, Akshay Tritiya, Nag Panchami, Jagroo (
torchlight festival), Dhajje Ru Kodd and Jattar.
The author also
introduces Bhaderwahi cuisine to the readers. Due to the presence of a sizeable
Kashmiri population in the area, Bhaderwahi cuisine has now become diversified.
It includes Roganjosh, Yakhni, and Dum-Alu, apart from the traditional Madra,
Kadu, Ambal, Khatta meat, Barha, Chitloyee, Tahari( yellow rice), Mehri, Babroo
etc. The author gives details about the development of Bhaderwahi literature
and language and the influence of Kashmiri, Pahadi, Dogri, and various dialects
of adjoining Himachal Pradesh on the Bhaderwahi language. We are informed about
Vasuki Puran believed to have been written in Bhaderwah in Sanskrit. We are
also informed about folk songs, dances, musicians, writers poets, and
educationists of Bhaderwah.
In chapter 3, the
author highlights the neglect and discrimination that was meted out to
Bhaderwah by successive rulers post-1947. According to the author, the area was
administratively truncated and amputated, discriminated in the matters of
development of infrastructure and tourist spots by successive governments with
the only exception being the rule of Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad. He attributes the
economic backwardness of the area primarily to neglect and discrimination.
However, he concludes on a positive note and remains optimistic about Bhaderwah
regaining its lost glory. The book ends with the slogan 'Jai Bhaderwah' or
'Victory to Bhaderwah'.
The author retired
from a senior managerial position that he held in a public sector bank. He is a
researcher, writer, and photographer as well. This book is certainly a great
effort to trace the history, culture and scenic beauty of the place popularly
known as ‘Chhota Kashmir’. A substantial part of the cost per book is being met
by the author from his resources. Priced at rupees one hundred, the author is
selling this highly informative book almost free to the readers. And I am sure
this labour of love will never be lost. I recommend this book to all. I
conclude this brief review with lines from Maya Angelou’s poem, ‘Still I Rise’:-
" You may write
me down in history
With your bitter,
twisted lies,
You may trod me in the
very dirt
But still, like dust,
I'll rise.
I rise up from a past
that’s rooted in pain
I rise leaving behind
nights of terror and fear
I rise into a daybreak
that’s wondrously clear
I rise, I rise , I
rise"
( Avtar Mota )
CHINAR SHADE by Autarmota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.
Based on a work at http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.
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