Paddar

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Paddar
Sub-division
Gullabgarh Paddar.jpg
View of Gulabgarh Town and Paddar Valley
Jammu and Kashmir Paddar Sub-district.png
Location of Paddar Sub-District, J&K, India
Coordinates: 33°09′20″N76°05′34″E / 33.155671°N 76.092911°E / 33.155671; 76.092911
Country Flag of India.svg  India
Union Territory Government of Jammu and Kashmir.svg Jammu & Kashmir
Division Jammu
District Kishtwar
Named for Sapphire mine
Headquarters Gulabgarh, Paddar
Population
 (2011) [1]
  Total21,548 [2]
Society
  Languages Padri, Pangwali, Hindi, Ladakhi, Kishtwari, Urdu
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
182204
Website http://www.paddar.com

Paddar, also spelled Padar (Hindi : pāḍar), is a Sub-District and remote valley in the Kishtwar district of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It falls in the Jammu division. It consists of two tehsils namely Machail and Atholi Paddar [3] The valley covers the entire southeastern portion of the Kishtwar district. It borders Zanskar (Ladakh) in the north and east, Pangi (Himachal Pradesh) in the south and the rest of Jammu and Kashmir in the west. The valley is known for its Sapphire mines. Albeit Sapphires are located in the valley of Paddar in Jammu division , they are known as Kashmiri sapphires which is a misnomer. [3] [4] It lies along the Chandrabhaga river (Chenab) in the Great Himalayas. Paddar is one of the most remote regions of Jammu and Kashmir. There are a number of small valleys within Paddar, such as Machail, Gandhari, Kabban, Ongai, Bhuzunu, Barnaj, Bhuzas, Kijai Nallah, and Dharlang, among others.

Contents

History

Little concrete material is currently available about the early history of civilization in Paddar. However, it is said that there were no humans in Paddar until the 8th century. Eventually, people living in nearby areas such as Bhaderwah, Lahaul, and Ladakh were attracted to the ample grazing lands in the valley. [3] At first, the valley was used to graze cattle, but eventually people settled there permanently. [3] The area was inhabited mostly by the Thakur community. [3]

Paddar was under Guge rule from the 10th to 14th centuries. [3] After the 14th century, Guge rule in the area collapse and civilization in Paddar divided into smaller areas. [3] These areas were ruled by Rajput Ranas. Each Rana usually controlled one to three villages, often fighting with other Ranas for control of land. In middle of 17th Century the name of one strong man Rana Sheetal Singh emerged in the Padder History. He was a Rana of his Rajwara comprising few villages with his headquarters at Leondi Village. Later, the Raja of Chamba crossed the Sansari Jhullah with his soldiers and had a sudden attack on forces of Rana Sheetal Singh. The Valley fell into the hands of Chamba rulers. After Chatur Singh's reign the Rajas of Chamba exercised their sovereignty over Padder for six generations. The area enjoyed peace and prosperity thereafter. In the spring of 1836 A.D. Zorawar Singh Marched across the Valley. Chamba forces under Rattan Singh were defeated. The territory of Padder was thus annexed to Kishtwar. Padder has a magnificent relationship with Himachal Pradesh in terms of culture and history. Until late 18 century, Padder was under Chamba rule and later became a part of Jammu and Kashmir. [3]

Residents of ancient Paddar were primarily serpent worshipers. However, they observed other Hindu rites and rituals as well. Besides Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists also settled in the valley. The Buddhists were spread in the upper reaches of the Machail, Kaban, and Gandhari valleys and in the town of Gulabgarh. The first Muslims came to Paddar during the period of the Raja Shantar Kantar from Chamba. The descendants of those Muslims still live in Atholi and Kijai. [3] There were long military conflicts in Paddar starting in the middle of the 17th century.

Culture

Padder has an extensive cultural history. Residents of ancient Paddar were primarily serpent worshipers.

Dhol, Nagaras and flute Padderi musical instruments.png
Dhol, Nagaras and flute

Hindus use Dhoons (a traditional dhol or drum), nagaras and flutes in Temples to play various ragas of different devtas. Kharzath is a famous dance form of this region, performed in temples and on special occasions. Temples of different Nagdevtas or Serpent Gods are still visible and are adorned with wood carvings of snakes of all kinds. The majority of the population is Pahari Hindu. The culture is very similar to that of Pangi, Himachal Pradesh and Bhaderwah. There are numerous folk songs and lores from the region known as sugli. Kharzath is the region's most well-known dance form. Chadar (Pattu) and Joji for women, Kamri(Chola), Sutad(lower)and Toot (traditional Padderi topi) for men completes the traditional Padderi dress.

Traditional attire Padderi Pangwali traditional dress.png
Traditional attire
Padderi/Pangwali Dress Padderi Pangwali traditional attire.png
Padderi/Pangwali Dress

Demographics

Religion in Paddar (2011) [2]

   Hinduism (83.6%)
   Buddhism (9.5%)
   Islam (6.8%)
  Others (0.1%)

Religion

Hinduism is the largest religion in Paddar and is followed by around 83.63% of the population. Other significant religions are Buddhism (9.46%) and Islam (6.84%). [2]

Language

Languages of Paddar (2011) [5]

   Padri (79.6%)
   Ladakhi (8.9%)
   Kashmiri (5.9%)
  Other (5.6%)

The majority of the population (nearly 80%) speaks Padri as a first language. Pangwali (in Gandhari) and Kishtwari dialect (in Sazar) are also spoken the valley. The Hindus in the valley speak the languages listed above. The Buddhist community speaks Bhoti. The Buddhist population of the valley is ethically close to Lahoul, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. The Muslim population of the valley primarily speaks Kashmiri.

Villages

Gulabgarh Town Gulabgarh Padder.jpg
Gulabgarh Town

*Gulabgarh is the sub-divisional headquarter and commercial center of Paddar and a hub for the area's economic activities. It has a sizeable market area and a TRC (Tourist Reception Area). Transport services run from here to Kishtwar town and Pangi. It also hosts local cricket tournaments. Besides for its economy and recreational opportunities, Gulabgarh also hosts many government offices, J&K Bank, [6] a police station and rest houses. [7]

Atholi Atholi Padder.png
Atholi

*Atholi is the administrative capital. It contains many sub-district level offices including the Atholi Tehsildar's office, Munsiff Camp Atholi, the Paddar Forest Range Office, the Paddar ZEO office, the Atholi Tehsil Library, the Atholi fire station and post office, and the Paddar sub-district hospital. It is also known for a scenic spot called Pathaal and a water mill (known locally as Ghiraat) run by a waterfall in the village., [7] AEE office Jal Shakti Vibhaag, Higher Secondary School, Girl's High School and Degree college are other significant establishments in the town.

The Kabban village is located along the Sohal/Kabban Nala. Then Ungaie Village along the Ungaie Nala. The Chenab river runs through the villages of Tiyari, Chitto, and Ishtyari.

Gandhari Padder in Summer.jpg

*Gandhari is visited by mountaineers, hikers, and climbers, and is known for green pastures. Its first village, Bhatwas, is about 30 km from Gulabgarh, with 25 km accessible with motor vehicles. The rest can only be travelled by foot. The trek route from here continues to Machail in Paddar, Zanskar in Ladakh, and Pangi. [7] As per Sanskrit language, Gandhari means "girl from Gandhara", and is a prominent character in the Mahabharata, an Indian epic. Gandhari was a princess in Gandhara and the wife of Dhritrashtra, the blind king of Hastinapura. She was the mother of a hundred sons, the Kauravas.

Chandi Mata Temple Chandi Mata Temple Gandhari Padder.png
Chandi Mata Temple

Maa Chandi's holy shrine, Shiva temple, Nag temple, and Buddhist Gompa Monastery are also located in the village. It is a popular spot for picnicking, touring, and adventuring, and is located approximately 9000 feet above sea level. Gandhari valley comprises six villages, three of which are Hindu and three of which are Buddhist. At lower Chugg, Kaandang is a lush green field. Cricket matches are frequently played here. The valley's most beautiful spots are Sanyoth, Nagni, and Chandi Padhar. Chandi Mata is said to have appeared in the Chandi Pandhar meadow. The journey to Zanskar begins after this. Agriculture is the main source of income in this region. Here, potatoes, wheat, peas, and other traditional crops are grown. After crossing Sansari Nallah the state of Jammu and Kashmir comes to an end.

Buddhist village of Padder Buddhist villages Padder.png
Buddhist village of Padder

*Lossani is the second closest revenue village to Machail's Chandi Mata Mandir. The majority of the settlements here are part of the Buddhist community. They are known for yaks and horses, which are used for the same purposes as in Haloti and Hangoo. Lossani is the second largest village in Paddar.

Festivals

Some notable festivals celebrated in Paddar are : sazzar.caulter of Aatakh rakshabandhan mela sherzaath to all India caulter of sazzar and paddar

Cheti Festival Cheti Mela Gandhari Padder.png
Cheti Festival

*Cheti is celebrated in Gandhari, Pallali and Machail amidst heavy snowfall. It is celebrated with great pomp in Gandhari. People take greetings to each other's homes. This festival is an opportunity for the people who are locked in the snow to meet each other to celebrate the winters.

After cleaning the went to different houses for biksha,eat rangai and return back to chitto.

Transport

Air

The closest airports to Paddar are Jammu Airport and Srinagar International Airport, which are 280 and 270 km away, respectively. The nearest helipad is located in Gulabgarh.

Rail

There is no railway station in Paddar. The nearest railway station is the Udhampur railway station, which is 212 km away.

Road

Paddar Valley is connected to the rest of India by the Keylong-Tandi-Killar-Gulabgarh-Kishtwar road. [9]

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References

  1. Census of India 2011
  2. 1 2 3 "Paddar Population". Census India. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "History of Paddar". Lalit Singh Chauhan. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  4. Qazi, S. A. (2005). Systematic Geography Of Jammu And Kashmir. APH Publishing. p. 80. ISBN   978-81-7648-786-3.
  5. C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Jammu & Kashmir (Report). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  6. "J&K Bank Paddar".
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Villages of Paddar". Lalit Singh Chauhan. Lalit Singh Chauhan. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Festivals of Paddar". Lalit Singh Chauhan. Paddar.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  9. "Travelling from Jammu to Paddar. A complete guide". 26 December 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2021.