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 & Saffron. It’s Situated On The Banks Of River Chenab
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Machail Yatra: Every year thousands of devotees pay visit to the Holy Shrine with the faith undeterred and to receive the blessings of Mata machail waali situated around 30 kms away from Gulabgarh village, Paddar. The yatra was initially started by Thakur Kulbir Singh of Bhaderwah who was serving in J&K Police department and was posted in Machail. The yatra with Holymace, starts from Chinote(Bhaderwah) during the month of August with a lot of zeal and fervor amidst the chants of Maa Chandi. Devotees from Jammu start their journey from the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir (Pacca Danga) after taking the obeisance and join the yatra at Bhaderwah from where it takes off to Kishtwar and then to Atholi in Paddar. The Holymace is welcomed enroute by thousands of devotees at various villages with them offering free Langars at Gulabgarh, Massu, Kundhail, Chishoti, Hamori and Machail.
Sarthal Yatra: Shri Ashtdashbhuja Mata (Eighteen armed goddess), an incarnation of Durga has been the chief deity of the Hindus of Kishtwar and its adjoining area from the ancient times. A stone temple was got constructed at Agral Sarthal and some devotees along with their families settled there and this settlement was named Agral after the name of Raja Agar Dev. The surrounding patch of dense forest was declared as a property of the temple and a decree was issued that revenue from this forest called ‘Deviyun Van’ (Mata’s Forest) will be spent on the maintenance of the temple.
Hudh Mata & TRI-Sandhya Yatra: Shri Hudh Mata Shrine is located at a height of 8500 feet from sea level on the Northern side of District Headquarter (Kishtwar). Shri Hudh Mata in Dachhan exists besides other Dev Sathans. 2-3 Kms away from this shrine is seen another miracle where Mata Ganga in the form of Trisandhya waterfall flows thrice a day i.e., in morning, noon and evening from file top of a mountain very near to the famous Brahma peak which after flowing 1-2 hours starts receding from the downlevel level behind not a singledrop of water in nallah as compared to the other nallahs. There is no lake or even a pond on the top of the hill where from the water could spillout. The water comes out and stops naturally from the mountain. Besides this, there are otherworth seeing scenic spots i.e., Doodh Ganga wherewater comes out from the earth as if it is boilingand in that process it looks white milk and is therefore called DOOD Ganga (Milky) and Brahmsarovar in the foot of Brahma peak where pilgrims have a pivous bath in its cold icy water.
Jamia Masjid: The Jamia Masjid of Kishtwar is the oldest mosque in district Kishtwar. It has already been said that a mosque had been constructed in Kishtwar before 1650 A.D. Masjid-e-Faridiya and Jamia Masjid Kishtwar follow. The Jamia Masjid of Kishtwar was one of the biggest mosques in Jammu province. Its premises are vast. The Muslims of Kishtwar had constructed a grand Jamia Masjid with great diligence and sacrifices. The new Jamia Masjid shall be a three store yard complex with two minarets of 130 feet height. Muslims in each mohalla and village have constructed a mosque for worship. the devout among them perform ‘Namaz’ five times a day. The regular ‘Azaan’ from mosques reminds every believer of the existence of God and man’s duty to pay his obeisance to him. The Jamia Masjid Kishtwar is the biggest and the towering mosque in the heart of city. its construction was, first started in 1941 A.D. its two minarets were as tall as 60ft. each. unfortunately, the mosque got gutted in a mysterious fire on the night of 1st January 2001, putting every one under pall of gloom.
Ziarat Shah Farid-Ud-Din: A ziarat constructed over a tomb of shah Farid-ud-Din, a great Muslim saint and is situated in the heart of Kishtwar town. It is believed that shah Farid-ud-din came to Kishtwar during the reign of Raja Jai Singh to propogate Islam. He hailed from Baghdad and came to India in the times of Mughal emperor. He is stated to have done many miraculous deeds and big fair is held here on the 7th.ashad every year.
Tourist Places
Chowgan:Chowgan or parade ground is located in the heart of Kishtwar town. It has total area covered about 165 acres. It is surrounded by Chinar, Deodar and different kinds of trees. It is surrounded by temple called Gori Shanker Mandir in North and in its south their is a Shrine (Ziyarat) of Asrar-Ud-Din- Bagdadi.
Chingam:Chingam is midway between Sinthan Top and Kishtwar/Chatroo. Chingam is most beautiful small valley picturesque spot, with lush evergreen forest surrounding the corners from Top to bottom hills merging into crystal clear river flowing at the foot. Chingam valley has amazing array of Terraced Paddy fields, can well remind of you famous Bali (Ubud). This is a must visit place. A number of small villages surrounding Chingam are deep embedded into forests, just awesome. Chingam is connected to Jammu via Kishtwar all around the year but Srinagar route shuts down in winter due to heavy snowfall.
Paddar: Paddar is famous for sapphire/ruby mines located in this area. It has hot springs and a river which is ideal for canoeing. This place is also known for the largest producing of BLUE DIAMOND. Padder is also famous for the MACHAIL CHANDI MATA temple located in the Machail area. Every year lakhs of devotees pay obeisance at the Chandi mata temple during the month of August. Padder has a unique culture separating it from the rest of the state. The padderi folk songs are very enchanting and interesting.
Sinthan Top:Sinthan top is a spot 12000 ft above sea level in Kashmir which is midway on the Kishtwar-Srinagar road. It is about 83 kms from Kishtwar town and it is 132 km from Srinagar. The journey is in itself an experience and once you reach the top it is 360 degree view, and snow everywhere. For most time of the year, road is closed due to heavy snowfall in this area. Best time to visit this place in April-September.
Warwan:Warwan is one of the most scenic valleys, located near Dachhan Valley. It is linked with Kashmir Valley through Margan Pass, which leads to Inshan from a track that also goes to Pahalgam. This charming valley spreads from Hanzi and Inshan villages. Marwah River flows through the centre of the valley. The area is abundant with trout fish.Places of tourist interest are Tuiller, Nopachi, Marwah Valley, Dashbal and Nunkun. Tata Pani, nearby interesting place, has a hot water spring and is good to have bath in sulpher containing water for skin diseases and rheumatic pains.
