Tayab Waza
Kishtwar District is a beautiful district of the State of Jammu and Kashmir of India. As of 2011, it is the third least populous district of Jammu and Kashmir (out of 22), after Kargil and Leh. It has highest wattage production in the world for such a small area. It’s famous for world renowned sapphire and saffron. It’s situated on the banks of River Chenab.
Kishtwar District consists of nine blocks: Marwah, Warwan, Dachan, Kishtwar, Nagsani, Drabshalla, Inderwal, Chatroo, and Paddar. Each block consists of a number of Panchayats.
The Chenab River flows through the district and is joined by tributaries such as Marvisudar River of Marwah, Fambar Nallah, Chingam Nallah which meet at the confluence near Bhandarkoot. The rivers have given a unique look to the area with steep gorges and wide plains on the way. Padder Tehsil has breathtaking mountain landscape which are a treat to the eyes of travellers. Warwan and Marwah Valleys are unique in being located in the way of river Marusudhar giving a mesmerising look to the area. The area is also famous for its high mountain passes which have been the mountaineer’s delight since British era. The Kishtwar Anantnag National Highway passes through the famous Sinthan Pass and Daksum Nowpachi Road passes through the Margan Top a 13 km long and 5100-metre-high pass. The steep Brahma Mountain peak is situated at Dachhan which is documented by British mountaineers. The Warwan Valley has been rated among India’s top ten trekking destination with a wide range of landscape. Saffron of purest quality is produced in the iron rich soil at Pochhal, Matta and Hidyal. Kishtwar National Park, in the northeast region of the district, has a large number of peaks and glaciers. The town has a small Air Landing Ground under the control and management of Indian Army which caters to civil and military
helicopters.
The 33 hectare Chowgan is the largest natural ground located in the center of city and is used as a venue of recreation, religious and political gatherings. Mini Secretariat housing all the offices of Kishtwar District Administration besides world class Conference Hall is located 3 km from the main bus stand in Kuleed area. Kishtwar is endowed with dense forests of deodar, pine and fir.The world famous Chinar is also found here. There are high altitude mountains ranging between 20,000 feet to 21,000 feet like Nun Kun, Burmah and Barnag. Pilgrims and tourists visit shrines in the area including Shrine of Sufi Saint Shah Abdal Sahib located at village Dugga which is 5 km from the main Bus Stand. The Shrine of Sufi Saint Shah Muhammad Farid-ud-Din Sahib Baghdadi who arrived in Kishtwar during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Aalamgir from the Kingdom of Baghdad is revered as one of the holiest shrines in Jammu province, The sons of Shah Muhammad Farid-Ud-Din Baghdadi were also the Awliya-E-Kiram namely Shah Muhammad Akhyar-ud-Din, Shah and Muhammad Anwar-ud-Din who are laid to rest alongside their father and mother at Astan Bala Kishtwar just 1 km from Bus Stand Kishtwar. Another son Hazrat Shah Muhammad Asrar-ud-Din Sahib is laid to rest at Astan Payein on southern edge of Parade Ground or Chowgan Kishtwar. Every year on 9th November or 25 Kaartik of Bikrami era a grand Urs is celebrated at Astan Payein where more than 1,00,000 devotees from all faith and religion come to pay the obeisance at the grave of Shah Muhammad Asrar-ud-Din Baghadadi. Kishtwar is known for its saffron cultivation. Department of Tourism J and K Govt. and Auqaf make elaborate arrangements for pilgrims on this eve. At Bhandarkoot the Ziarat of Zain-ud-Din Wali of Kashmir is located at the confluence of River Chenab which sees a rush of devotees every day. At Rakna Palmar there is also a Ziarat of Zain Shah Sahab. Kishtwar has also the Holy Hindu pilgrimage sites of Athara Bhuja Devi Temple, Chandi Mata Temple and Asthadash Bhuja Sarthal Mata Temple. Every year the pilgrimage is arranged for Machail Yatra a mega event attended by more than hundred thousand people from all over the country. The annual Sarthal Yatra is also attended by thousands of devotees. Hatta Wali Mata Kishtwar is first referred to in the Rajatarangini by the ancient name Kashthavata, during the reign of Raja Kalsa of Kashmir (10631089), when “Uttamaraja”, the ruler of Kashthavata visited the court of the Kashmir King in company with several other hill chiefs to pay their respects to the Raja. The Mehta family was given the lands of Kishtwar by the King of Kashmir. Their family temple “Hatta Wali Mata” and their heritage can still be tracked back to Kishtwar. The founder of this family was the Commander-in-Chief of the Kashmir Army “Sip-E-Salar Sri Jiya Lal Mehta”. Known for his bravery and valour he fought the Mughals and northern raiders who invaded the land.Kishtwar merged with the State of Jammu and Kashmir in 1821, AD. With the passage of time Kishtwar became a Tehsil of District Udhampur and remained so until 1948, when it became part of the newly created District Doda in the wake of first re-organisation of the State during the post-independence period. As of 2011 India census Kishtwar had a population of 14,865.
The area of Kishtwar is 7737 km2, which is the largest district in Jammu region.
(The writer is student of Class 10th Kishtwar)