Natural springs of Jammu
The Jammu and Kashmir State finds its gateway at Lakhanpur, boundary being Ravi river adjoining Punjab and Himachal Pradesh states. Whole of Jammu region right from Lakhanpur to border town Poonch in the East West and Ranbirsinghpura to Banihal Kashmir valley to the last reach of Ladakh abounds in historical, archaeological and spiritual significance and enchanting beauty and grandeur.
The Jammu region as a whole encompasses the cynosure of vast sprawling and undulating terrain ranging from Kandi belt of Lakhanpur to Poonch with scruby and Pines forests. In its higher reaches are shivaliks and the Tawi valley in its back drop is having enchanting beautiful mountains ranges rising one behind the other with Lush green, Vibrant and slabrious scruby and Chir pines and then majestic deodar and blue pines.
The Trikuta hills crowned by three towering peaks are fantastic spiritual charms and sarictocity in whose lap is located world renowed sacred shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. With the early golden sun rise over the Tawi Valley offers a gorgeous glimpse of Mother Nature.
In Jammu and Kashmir, where the terrain and its tracks occupy their unique placement, such sources were abundant but have now lost their pristine grandeur and glory. However, still natural springs and water ponds (Talav) do exist but in so far as the quality, quantity and purity of water is concerned, these have been badly polluted expecting those which exist in the temperate, sub-alpine and alpine zones of Himalayas for which the details are briefed down below :-
Natural springs do exist in the low lying areas of Kandi belt from Lakhanpur to the last reach of Poonch in the upper reaches of Kandi belt as for example Basoli, Bani, Dhar road reaching Udhampur and its vicinity. Then from Udhampur to Reasi, Mahore in the northwest towards Thakarakote and enroute Baba Jitto (Agar), Bambla, Kalakote, Nowshera and Poonch on North-West of Jammu.
Springs at Kathua:- in the lower belt of the outskirts where temples of Gods and Goddesses exist and people from far away place come here for holy dip and annual festivals are as well held.
Springs of Nagri Parole :- There are many springs near this area falling in Kathua district just 3 to 4 kms down below Nagri Parole is natural spring adjoining an old pristhan and people suffering from skin ailments are being cured after having a dip in this spring. It is believed that this is due to shrine Shakti of Pir Baba. But Scientifically the water has been sen to have sulpher smell.
Springs at Airwan - Airwan or Aravati, either way we name is located some 9-10 Kms from Nagri Parole is the most prominent sacred place of Shakti Literally speaking, Airwan is a splited word – Air means air which enlivens the entire biolife and wan means gain or win means win over air. There are two big springs where pilgrims from far away places including Punjab Himachal Pradesh and Haryana come here for holy dip on ‘‘Chaitra Chaturaash’ (in March) every year pay obeisance to the sacred shrine of lord Shiva and a big festival is held here as elsewhere in Purmandal and Utterbehni in Jammu. The Airwan (a small hamlet) links National Highway stretching a short distance of 9-10 kms.
In the outskirts of Jammu city many springs existed which now stand depleted excepting at ‘‘Bhair Devasthan’’ around 15 kms from Jammu towards Udhampur. It is a Shakti Shrine where natual spring exists alongside the Tawi stream and big fish are in plenty and milk and kneaded balls of flour are offered. A miniscule number do exist at Udhampur Jhajarkotli & Udhampur (Devik) and while proceeding towards Billawar one finds many springs though now depleted/under depletion. These are Podu,Danga Ki Baoli, Bani, Banas, Gharat Jeetu, Thana Garni Ishri and lastly Panditain Wali Baoli and of all ‘‘Khoon spring’’ is most prominent.
Khoon Spring - Some 50 kms from Udhampur along Dhar road is existing this natual baoli with nectar clear water and a man temple of lord Shiva also exists there where people come to pay obeisance and obtain blessings.
Sukrala Springs : Though in miniscule number are fastly depleting and proceeding uphill towards Machadi which links Ramnagar through hilly terrain nestling amongst pines and deodar are having small natural springs with crystal clear water of ample importance.
Basholi Bani Springs : The entire track is having many natural springs linking Bhaderwah and the entire sub Himalayan region is plentiful of natural springs having crystal clear water and local populace subsist upon their day to day requirement of the lives.
Gauri Kund Baolies : There is a cluster of springs at Chenani town itself as well as Guari Kund which are centuries old. Mata Parvati Lord Shiva’s consort used to have holy bath where she meditated in the vicinity of Sudhmahadev area.
Sudmahadev’s Spring : This spring is also named as ‘‘papnashi Baoli’’ and is of high sanctityn as it is believed that a holy dip in this spring washes off one’s sins. An annual mela lasting for couple of days isbeing celebrated in the first week of March where pilgrims from far away places come here pay obeisance to Lord Shiva’s centuries old temple after having a holy dip in this spring. From Sudmahadev onwards to Man Talai, Bap, Sarar, Latti, Dhoona, Seri, Chari and finally one reaches Suezdhar (the origin of Tawi river). From the base of Suez uphill Dharside one gets trek down to Bhaderwah amongst nestling pines,herbs , shrubs and other multitudinal medicinal plants.
Kud Spring : This spring is having its own importance where nectar clear water gushes out and is also called ‘‘Swami Wala Spring’’. The tourists from India and abroad are having a short spell and have a sweet taste of this natural spring of hilly resort and a temple of lord Shiva also existhere where people from India and abroad throng for holy darshan.
Sanasar Spring : Patnitop is a prominent hill resort on the tourist map of India and the World and Sanasar take its route barely 18 kms from here. Over the remote past, Sanasar was a prominent lake, now stand almost dried. Here exists natural spring named as ‘‘Viran Spring’’ whose water is crystal clear and sweet and from centuries old a small temple of ‘‘Chancer nag Devta’’ exists where people from far flung areas throng here annually.
Batote Springs Two prominent springs are in existence in this picturesque spot of Batote Viz, Amirt and Lal Spring having nectar-clear elixir of life leasing water and tourists from India/abroad are having short spells to enjoy the taste of sweet fresh water.
Now on entering the charming Chinab Valley having a long stretch of around 185 kms from Batote to the last reach of motorable Padder National Highway-2 road, its prominence of Sub-Himalayan region with picturesque spots and lovely valleys, impregnable natural citadels of Assar, Baggar, Khaleni, Doda, Premnagar, Thathri, Kishtwar, Dul Hasti, Padder and Atholi. The entire terrain and their hill tops/uplands are snowcapped during winter nestling amongst broad leaved and pines and other herbs, shrubs, aromatical and medicinal plants. These are of unaccountable in number and of the few prominence are in village Saroor whose water bath is having the legend to help the barren couples, apart from other springs viz Humar Nag, Pootnag, Tila Machi, Harel, Arhai, Mahalnag, Kundall, Oarnar, Murpunyar, Gadarsh, Vadan, hot springs of Marwa-Dachan whose water care orthopaedic ailments such as gout and rhemutism. All these baolies are the treasure trove of mountainous region and are revered places for ablutions and worship in those areas of far flung villages and hamlets. And of all these natural springs, one by name Tattapani of Kishtwar is of utmost importance.
In addition, there are other springs in the area :
Tattapani Spring (Atholi-Kishtwar)
Marwa Springs (Kishtwar)
Kailash Kund
Gupt Ganga
Parnala Spring,
Chhabra Spring
Suraj Baoli
Khakhal spring,
Ghalha spring
Udrana spring
Fort Spring
Sona Bain
Now, as and when we move towards North-west of Jammu region torwards Poonch, we also come across a multitudinal natural springs and of the few of utmost importance are as below:-
Jajjhar Kotli springs
Baba Agar Jitto springs
Sulla Spring
Ram Kund
Tattapani Spring of Gool Gulabgarh (Mahore) and Mendhar (Poonch) are very efficacious for removal of skin diseases and are of sanitocity prominence.
These springs are the important heritage of the state and efforts should be made to maintain them for coming generations.
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