Rajouri District, Jammu and Kashmir :

Rajouri District is a district of Jammu region in Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir which had been part of Poonch district prior to 1967. It is famous for its ‘kalari’ (kind of cheese) and has six tehsils. The District has an area of 2630 square kilometres with peculiar physical features. Maize, wheat and rice are the main crops of the area and the main source of the irrigation is the river Tawi that originates from the mountains of Pir Panjal.

History :

Rajouri district has a great historical significance. In the Mahabharata, there was a kingdom known as Panchal Desa. Rajouri was a part of this kingdom of Panchal Naresh. Rajouri, then known as Rajapuri - 'the land of Kings' - finds its mention in the travelogue of Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang who visited the town in 632 A.D. and described it as a part of Kashmiri dominion. Still earlier in the Buddhist period it formed a part of Gandhar territory. At the time of Alexander's invasion, Rajouri was at the height of its glory. In Mauryan period, the town of Rajouri was a great trade centre. During the Mughal rule, the rulers of Rajouri have embraced Islam though they retained the title of Raja. On 22nd September 1967, Government divided district Poonch into two districts namely 'Rajouri' and 'Poonch', to facilitate the process of development and better supervision of economic activities in this area. By this way, Rajouri emerged as a District from 1st January 1968.

Geography :

The District has an area of 2630 square kilometres with peculiar physical features. District Rajouri is 154 kilometres away from Winter Capital Jammu. It is located in the foothills of Pir Panjal Range. The Districts Udhampur and Jammu surround the District in the East, Line of actual control passes on the Southern side, on the West it is bounded by Poonch District and Pulwama District is on the North. The climate of the region varies from semitropical in the Southern part comprising Nowshera, Sunderbani and Kalakote to temperate in the mountainous Northern part comprising the area of Rajouri, Thannamandi and Koteranka Tehsils of the District. The average rainfall recorded here is 500 mm and average temperature varies from 7.42 degree Celsius to 37.4 degree Celsius.

Demography :

According to the 2011 census, Rajouri district has a population of 642,415. The district has a population density of 235 inhabitants per square kilometre. Rajouri has a sex ratio of 863 females for every 1000 males and a literacy rate of 68.54 percent. The religious distribution, in accord with the 2011 census, was 402,879 Muslim (62.7154percent), 221,880 Hindu (34.5454percent), 2.4154percent Sikhs and others. Urdu and English are the main mediums of instruction and the main native languages are Pahari and Gujari. Pahari is mainly spoken by the Malik community that forms majority of Darhal Malkan. Gujari is primarily spoken by the Gujjar and Bakarwal which add much Muslim population of Rajouri.

Administration :

The district is divided into seven Tehsils and seven blocks. Rajouri District comprises of 379 villages (375 are inhabited villages) out of which Hindu population dominates 157 villages while Muslim dominates 228 villages and Sikh population dominates 2 villages. This district consists of nine blocks: Rajouri, Doonji, Nowshera, Darhal, Manjakote, Thanamandi, Sunderbani, Kalakote, and Budhal. Each block consists of a number of panchayats.

Culture :

Culture is an integral part of the people of Rajouri District. The people devote their time to handicraft activities, so as to supplement their small incomes. Due to the diversity of handicrafts, it can be said mini Kashmir. Embroidery, Chikri-wood carving, Tilla (Copper) work, Namda and Gabba making, basket making, Blanket making, etc. are the most important handicrafts of the districts. The life of the people of Rajouri is a mix of Dogri, Gujari, Poonchi, Pahari, and Kashmiri culture. Folk songs and folk dances of a particular region illustrate the living style of people, their tastes, rituals, traditions, costumes, and culture. Different cultural forms and styles of singing and dances are still widespread in the region. Folk forms have remained the favourites of the masses. Festivals, marriages, fairs, and other rituals, each have a style to suit the occasion.

Tourism in Rajouri District :

Tourism in Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir is an amusement for the visitors. Rajouri district has quite a good number of charming spots. There is a wide scope for pilgrimage, leisure, and nature and adventure tourism in this district. Places worth seeing near Rajouri district are Rajouri fort, Gurudwara Chhati Badshahi, Balidan Bhavan, Rama Temple Jama Masjid and Shiv Mandir among others.

Pilgrimage Tourism : Pilgrimage Tourism is very popular in Rajouri District. Ziarat Shahdara Sharief is about 30 Kms in the north of Rajauri. Thousands of people from all religions visit the shrine every year and offer their prayers. Apart from a number of Gurdwaras existing in the District, Gurdwara Chhati Badshahi Rajouri is a very significant religious place which has been constructed in the memory of 6th Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji (1595-1646 AD). Mangla Mata Dev Asthan is situated near village Bhawani in Nowshera Tehsil of District Rajouri. People from near and far visit this place for darshan every year. Temple at Peer Badesar is another religious site. All the four sides of the temple and both the sides of the passage to the temple are covered with a number of bells which on shaking produce harmonious sound. It is said that this temple belongs to the Lord Shiva and Goddess Sati. This temple was got constructed by Kanishka in the memory of Veer Vadweshavar, the son of Lord Shiva.

Nature Tourism : Nature Tourism of Rajouri District is indeed a delight for the travellers. Dehra Ki Gali is a beautiful picturesque spot is situated at a height of plus 6600 feet above sea level, in the Pir Panjal Range and is one of the passes connecting Rajouri and Poonch districts. It experiences profound snowfall during winter months. Thick vegetation cover attracts and charms the visitor. Kotranka at the distance of 40 kms is a gorgeous tourist spot located on the right bank of river Ans. During summer this spot affords a great attraction to the nature lovers and tourists. This is a picturesque charming and peaceful spot to retire to in the summer heat. 

The important lakes are Sukh Sar, Bhag Sar, Diya Sar, Chandan Sar, Katori Sar, Akal Dakshni, Nandan Sar, Raviwalli marg group of lakes, Chamar Sar, Padyaran Sar I and II, Katori Sar in Bela Marg and Smat Sar. A visit to these lakes gives ever lasting life long memories. Nature lovers shall certainly find their heaven in these lakes.

Leisure Tourism : Leisure tourism in Rajouri District promises its visitors with quite a few historical places. Thanna Mandi is an imperative historical place right from the time of Mughals, who used to stay there during their journey from Delhi to Kashmir and vice-versa. An old Mughal Sarai still exists there which speaks of its splendid time. The climate of this place is very delightful and in fact it is a health resort. It is also renowned for its artistic wooden products. The Mughal remains spread on either banks of the Tawi River comprise of forts cum palaces, sarais, mosques and gardens etc. 

Adventure Tourism : Rajouri district is a gifted place for adventure tourists. Trekking satisfies one of man's basic impulses, the urge to travel forth and seek adventure. Rajouri town is located at the foothills of Pir Panjal Range. The snow-clad Pir Panjal Range has its own magnetism. In fact it stands out more outstanding than the Himalayas as it is nearer to the plains and its imposing slopes are awe-inspiring. The crest of Pir Panjal is covered with snow and there are numerous climbed and virgin peaks between 15290 ft. to 16000 ft. like Dhakyar-15290 ft., Brahma-15400 ft., Kotoria-15000 ft., Budhal Pir-15170 feet, Tatakuti-15557 ft. Sun set-15510 ft., Kagha Alana and Handoo Peak near Chamcchi Sar Lake calling for the mountaineer's interest.