The area is known as Bhales (/bʱəˈles/) to outsiders, but inhabitants of the region use a variety of names, including Bhalessa (/bʱəˈlesɑ/), Bhalesh (/bʱəˈleʃ/, with variant /bʱəˈleiʃ/), and Bhal (/ˈbʱɑl/).[2]
The etymology of the name remains unknown. It has been suggested that it derives from the Sanskrit word for 'good' (bhalla-)[3] or from the name of the 16th-century queen, Queen Bhalla of Bhadarwah.[4][bettersourceneeded]
Geography
The Bhalessa region consists of two valleys: Bonjwah and Bhalessa. Bonjwah contains multiple streams, while Bhalessa contains the Kalgoni stream.[4] The two valleys unite near Donadi and the streams merge into the Chenab river.[5]
The area is easily accessible from Churaha Wazarat of Chamba through passes such as Padri Gali and Mehlwar. To the north, it is flanked by the mountains of Kishtwar.[6]
Bhalessa contains various geographical hamlets, such as Neeli, Jitota, Pingal, Chilli, Nanota, and Basnota. Some other areas include Bal Padri, Kanthi Dhar, Soin Bhagar, Naglotan,[7] Goha Dhar, Jawali meadows, Ghasheer Top, Makan and Chashool, Ghati Dhar, Mehal Dhar, Damote Dhar, Lakhan, Kehan Dhar, Mashood Dhar, Mihaad Dhar, Bach Dhar, Nagni Dhar, Talaie, Dhosa Meadows, Rohari Meadows, Lamhote Meadows, Kota Top, Pangas Top Gwalo, Dhanaso Dhar, and Dulchi Dhar.[citation needed]
Culture
Тhe official language in the Bhalessa region is Urdu, which is used for administrative purposes. The main spoken language of the sub-district is Bhalessi. Other spoken languages include Kashmiri and Gujari.[8]
During the winter, the nomadic people of the Gujjar and Bakarwals come down to the plain and barren areas of Punjab. During the summer, they go deep into the mountainous valley of Bhalessa with their cattle where they produce milk, cheese, and ghee. During marriage celebrations, the Gujjars perform their folk dances.[9]
Traditional industries such as beekeeping, sheep cattle rearing, handloom weaving, blanket making, and ghee production contribute to the cultural economy of Bhalessa.[citation needed]
Concerns are often raised about the state of the roads in the region,[11] particularly the Thathri–Kilhotran Road, which as of July 2020 was still incomplete even after decades of construction.[12]
Tourism
Bhalessa has been a source of attraction for trackers and tourists.[7]
The area consists of green uplands, like Bhal Padri, which can be a source of attraction for tourism. As of 2020, the inhabitants of the Bhalessa region are demanding a Hill District status and a Tourism Development Authority in order to exhibit tourism potential and for administrative convenience.[7] As of July 2020, two potential spots have been identified for the creation of tourism assets in Block Changa.[13] The people of Bhalessa are represented at various levels, in sports, education, politics, civil services, and other diverse fields. Bhalessa is known for interfaith harmony, and religious communities continue to live in peace during turmoil.[citation needed] -there is a tallest mountain, (2415sq. ft) that is "Gasher top" it shows a beautiful view of two states (J&K and Himachal Pradesh)
Politics and administration
Bhalessa has a Sub-Divisional Headquarter located at Gandoh that is controlled by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate.[14]
Bhalessa consists of three tehsils: Gandoh, Chilly Pingal and Kahara.[15] There have been demands for a Hill District Status for these tehsils,[16] as well as for the creation of a separate Tourism Development Authority[17] and the post of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC).[18]
According to political listings, Bhalessa is listed in the Bhaderwah constituency and Inderwal constituency. Notable politicians include:
Mohd Sharief Niaz, a congress leader from Changa village in Bhalessa. He contested the 2009 assembly elections from the Bhaderwah constituency.[22]
Daleep Singh Parihar, a BJP leader from Batara village in Bhalessa. He is the former MLA candidate from the Bhaderwah constituency.
Education
There is a college in Kilhotran under the name of Government Degree College Kilhotran. Schools in Bhalessa work to impart education in rural villages.[23]
Bhalessa also has a Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) to give technical training to young people.[24]
There is an unprecedented growth of madrasa education in the area. The madrasas in Bhalessa include Jamia Gani tul uloom and Asrar ul Uloom.[25] Jamia Gani tul uloom is the largest seminary madrasa in the Jammu province.[26] The Jamia was founded by Alhaj Ghulam Qadir Ganipuri.
Ghulam Nabi Azad is an Indian politician who served as Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha between 2014 and 2021. He also served as the Chief Minister of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir from 2005 to 2008. On 26 September 2022, Azad announced his own political party as Democratic Progressive Azad Party. He is the chief patron cum founder of Democratic Progressive Azad Party.
Doda district is an administrative district of the Jammu division of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region.
Bhaderwah or Bhadarwah or "Chota Kashmir" is a town, tehsil, sub-division and also additional district in the Doda district of the Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is also known as Bhadrakashi. The ancient name of Bhaderwah is Bhadravakasa as mentioned in Kalhana's Rajatarangini. For its high literacy rate it is known as Kerala of Jammu and Kashmir.
Kishtwar district is an administrative district of the Jammu division of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. As of 2011, it is the largest and the least populous district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chenab Valley is a river valley formed by the Chenab River. The term is also used collectively for Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts of Jammu Division in the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. These districts were formerly part of a single district, called Doda.
Thathri is a town and a notified area committee in Doda district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Thathri valley is located in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, about 85 km from Batote. Apart from having ample forests, the town contains many small streams flowing through its various parts. It is located on the banks of the Chenab River and the town area is spread over 1.50 sq. Km².
Jantroon Dhar or Jantroon Top is a location in the Doda district, in Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is a local hill station and a meadow in the Forest Block area, 15 kilometers away from Thathri. The place is surrounded by lush green meadows, snow in winters and covered with dense vegetation. Thousands of local tourists visit every year for spectating three days dangal-cum-wrestling match.
Ababeel (ابابیل), also known as Ababeel NGO, is a charitable trust that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, food kits, and blood donations for the needy, poor, orphans, widows, and also in emergencies in the Chenab Valley's Doda, Kishtwar, Thathri, Bhaderwah, Gandoh, and also in the Jammu area. The organization assists people irrespective of caste and religion. It is registered with the Sub Registrar Court Doda.
Jai Valley is an enchanting valley located 32 kilometres (20 mi) northeast of Bhaderwah town in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The Bhaderwah-Jai road, which passes through the corniferous deodar forests of Nakshri, Balote, Bhalara and Chinta Valley connects the valley with the Bhaderwah town. The valley has green meadows which act as the attraction for tourists in summers and the snow-covered landscape during winters. Jai valley has about 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) long meadows, bisected by a stream called Jai Nallah which merges with a tributary of river Chenab at Kahara in tehsil Thathri. It is also known by the names Jai Garh and Jai Top. The valley is also connected through a 37 kilometres (23 mi) long road with Gandoh. There is no Mobile Network in this valley.
Bhal Padri is a hill station situated above a group of small valleys covered with a dense forest located in the Changa, Bhalessa. area of Doda district. It borders Padri Pass, Bhaderwah at a distance of 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) northeast. Rivulets and streams flow through this valley.
Alhaj Ghulam Qadir Ganipuri was a Muslim scholar and spiritual leader. He was the founder of Madrasa Jamia Guni tul Uloom Akhyarpur (Bhatyas) in the Bhalessa, Doda district, of India, which was established in 1983 and named after Abdul Gani Sadiqui. Every year, seminars and literary programs are organized in his memory. During the 2014 Kashmir floods, Ganipuri and some NGOs of the Chenab valley helped flood-ravaged houses and families.
Kahara is a village and tehsil in Doda district, Jammu, India. It is situated between mountainous cliffs 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) from Thathri on the Thathri-Gandoh road.
Donadi is a village in Kahara tehsil of Doda district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is famous for a hydroelectric power project called Lower Kalnie Power Project Donadi.
Bunjwah is a region and tehsil located in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It comprises nine panchayat and two nayabats; it became a tehsil in 2014.
Mahri is a village in Tehsil Thathri of Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir. This village was one of the villages of Chenab Valley which was without electricity till 2022.
Thathri–Gandoh National Highway is a 30-kilometre (19 mi) road that connects Thathri to Gandoh, located in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The road serves as a lifeline for the people living in the Bhalessa region as it provides access to various link roads leading to rural and far-flung areas. In 2022, this road was declared a National Highway by Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha.
The Kalnai River is a tributary of the Chenab River in the Bhalessa region bordering Doda and Kishtwar districts in Jammu and Kashmir. An under construction 48MW Lower Kalnai hydroelectric project is located at Donadi on this river.
Halaran is a village and panchayat located in the Kahara tehsil of Doda district in the Indian administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The village is situated approximately 13 kilometers away from the sub-divisional headquarters, Thathri, and 43 kilometers away from the district headquarters, Doda.
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