About Poonch | General Information | Places To See

Poonch district is the smallest of the 14 districts of J&K State.It falls between 33degree-25' to 34degree-01'north latitude and 73degree-58' to 74degree-35' east longitude.Poonch is bounded by the the districts of Baramulla and Pulwama of Kashmir Valley in the north-east,illegally occupied areas of the State by Pakistan in the north west and by the Rajouri district in the south. Spread over an area of 1,674 Sq.Kms,Poonch district is totally hilly and mountainous barring few-low lying vales.It has varied climate depending upon altitude of the place. 

The district comprises three tehsils of Haveli,Mendhar and Surankote.It has 178 villages of which 168 are inhabited,51 Panchayats and a town.A small district with comparatively less population,Poonch district has a rich cultrual heritage and distinct historical background connected with the great Mughals. The caravans of Mughal emperors for Kashmir passed through Poonch district in 17th Century and that route is known as Mughal road. The district has an area of 1.14 Lakh hectares of which 23 percent is cultivable.There are 37,000 land holdings covering an area of 54,000 hectares as per 1980-81(Census). About 3,0000 hectares are irrigated principal crops of the district are maize,paddy and wheat while Maize is the staple food of the people. Poonch district offers a representative of the State in clime,culture and secular outlook. The people speak Gojari and Punchi which according to Grieson, is a sister language of Punjabi dialect Lendhi. Both the languages have rich folk lores Potari and folk songs. 

Buddha Amarnath
Twent five Kms.in the north east of Poonch town is situated an ancient temple of Lord Shiva on the left bank of Pulsta stream. The area is known as Rajpura mandi two Kms.above mandi village. This is a unique Shiva Temple which is located on the foot hill and not on the hill top and secondly the Shivaling of white stone is not self-made.The stream which flows near it,is loran stream but it is belived by the locals the Ravan's grand father Pulasta Rishi performed his tapasya and thus is known as Pulsta stream. This shrine is said to be older than of Amarnathji of Kashmir. Thousands of people visit on Rakhsa Bandhan. 

Ramkund
Another well known shirne located about 68 Kms.from Poonch town is that of Ram Kund. Believed to be of Mahabharat period,it is just 11 Kms.away from Mendhar. The temple was said to be constructed by Raja Lalitaditya while others believe that Raja renovated it,and originally it was constructed by Lord Rama when he was on his way to Kashmir. There are three springs. People take bath on first of bright half of Chaitra. 

Ziarat Sain
Situated in village Guntrian,10 Kms.from Poonch,the Ziarat of saint Sain Mira Sahib is a popular pilgrim centre,Hundreds of devotees visit this Ziarat. 

Nangali Sahib
Nangali Sahib Gurudwara is situated on the left bank of Drungli Nallah,which is four Kms.away from Poonch City. This gurudwara was established by Sant Bhai Mela Singh who is said to have visited this shrine in 1810 A.D.when he was on his way to conquer Kashmir. 

Ziarat Chhotay Sahib
Located 58 Kms.away from Poonch and 4 Kms.from Mendhar this Ziarat is situated in the village Sakhimaidan. Hundreds of piligrims come to this place every day.