Doda is dotted with a number of tourist destinations that need attention of the Government for equitable development. These places have remained unexplored for a number of reasons. The such place is Dedani. It is a hidden heaven having no connectivity with rest of State. One can not only relish lush green meadows and snow-capped mountains but also satiate spiritual quest as there are many places where devotees throng in great numbers. Dedani is also a health resort. The cool, peaceful environs influse a new life to people who want to get rid of humdrum city life. To explore its beauty, this place should be developed as a tourist spot by creating requisite infrastructure in the area.Doda is a town and notified area committee in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir‘s Doda district.
The tourism potential places including Kailash and Machail Yatra in Kishtwar and Doda Districts are worth beautiful. TheShree Hudh Mata Trisandhiya Yatra of Dachhan Kishtwar, perhaps due to the reason that these Shrines are unknown to the devotees. No doubt some outsiders of the District and the Union Territory do participate in their Yatra, but still it is not so popular as other Shrines and Yatras are. As I understand, these shrines are worth mentioning and made known to the devotees. The holy shrine ofTraisandhiya Mata is also of the same religious significance, faith and devotion like that of Shrines of Shree Amar Nath Ji and Shree Machail Mata Ji where practical Darshans (Sakhshat Darshan), are performed. In Amar Nath Ji shrine, natural Shiv Lingam is formed, in Machail Mata shrine a few leaves (patis) of chhatter and half beads of Nath, Kangan, ear rings etc adorned on the Murtis swing/move automatically, thereby practical Darshan (Sakshat Darshan) are performed. Here in Trisandhaya shrine, which is in the form of a stream (Nadi), sometimes water flows and stops naturally from the top of a hill near famous Brahma Mountain. There is neither any lake nor any pond on the top of the hill where from the water could come down. More surprising is that water after flowing of 1-2 hours recedes flowing from the bottom of the stream. One can see the water coming from the upper reach but from the bottom it starts decreasing. Thereafter, not a drop of water is seen in the stream. This is a unique and rare darshan. Even the Shrine of Hudh Mata has religious background. It is linked to an unfortunate incident of Tritiya Yug. It is believed that Daksh Prajapati, father-in-law of Lord Shiva, arranged a Yagna but did not invite Mata Sati and Lord Shiva. On the refusal of Lord Shiva to attend the Yagna, Mata Sati went alone and on reaching the Yagna sathal, she was annoyed to see no sitting arrangement (Aasan) for Lord Shiva, as believed without whom the Yagna could not be completed. She was also not treated fairly. So, she jumped into the Hawan Kund and ended her life. When Lord Shiva came to know about this happening, He came to the Yajna Sathal, destroyed it and also beheaded Daksh Prajapati. He took the dead body of Mata Sati on his shoulders and started roaming in the universe in a raged mood. To console Him, Lord Vishnu, at the behest of other Devi Devtas, cut the dead body of Mata Sati into pieces with his Sudershan Chakkara. Wherever these parts fell they became Shakti Peeths. This is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva performed Her last rites. Besides Shiv Guffa, where white coloured water falls on naturally formed Shiv Lingams from the cow shaped teats of the roof, there is Garbhjoon like that of Vaishnoo Devi. A live snake is found here during Yatra days. Devotees have great faith in these deities. Their wises are fulfilled here also. An Annual Yatra is organized in the month of June/July. Adjacent to these shrines is ever snow clad famous Brahma Parvat, believed to be the abode of Lord Brahma and is source of attraction of innumerable mountaineers. About 2 Kms below the shrine is a two and half centuries old wooden constructed Ram Mandir. Its wood is said to be brought from a distance of about 30 Kms and is a heritage site. Due to remoteness, non connectivity and inadequate publicity the Shrines remained unknown and unexplored till now.
If a religious tourist circuit of the shrines of Shree Sarthal Devi, Shree Machail Mata and Shree Hudh Mata Trisandhiya Mata is created and road connectivity provided, lakhs of religious tourists shall visit the area which shall boost the rural economy and empower the youth and women of the area.I would like to express the concern for tourism sector in the Jammu and Kashmir State through the medium of your esteemed daily newspaper. Although our State is really a Heaven on Earth but on the other hand terrorism make it Hell on the planet Earth where gun never remain silent and blood oveflow in the street of Kashmir like water during rainy reasons. Recently J&K Tourism Deptt.has been enduring to extend its dream to boost tourism by participating promotional campaign at South Asian Travel and Tourism Exhibition in New Delhi.Tourism has now become a significant industry in J&K which on one hand providing employment to common people and on the other hand establishing international relations with people of all walks of the Globe.J&K State is one of the most popular tourist destination in South Asia. The State provide and offers array of places to see.This indicate that tourist are the life line of the State.It is sad to mention here that on one side some youth in Kashmir are indulge in stone pelting while on the other side labours are giving blood and sweat during day and night for the overall development of Kashmir Valley by cutting rocks,stones and mountains in order to open four line all weather road connectivity to Valley of Kashmir. It is pertinent to mention here that Chotta Kashmir, Bhaderwah Valley need special focus for the development of basic infrastructure to attract tourist in large numbers throughout the length and breath of the Globe.There are many places of tourists attraction like Padri,Sonu Bayi (Golden Spring),Jai Chinta,Gulli Danda, Chattergala, Beouli Doda,Padri Dedani Doda and other places that are very famous for their natural beauty.It is once again sad to mention that these places of tourist attraction lacks accommodation facilities in the form of hotels and some places lacks road facilities like Padri Dedani Doda.These places are unexplored and hidden Heaven on the planet Earth.There is dire need to open Chenab Vellay University at Bhaderwah instead of Bhaderwah Campus,University of Jammu.Last but not least it is requested to Honble Governor of the J&K State to paid special focus for the development of basic infrastructure to attract huge number of tourists at these places of immense important so that the tourist inflow and visit these places from across the Globe that helps in the development of the Bhaderwah Valley and provide job opportunities to the common people.Doda is dotted by numerous scenic places where one can feel peace of mind. Among the tourist attractions are Kalhota, Dhara Top, Dedani Padri, Lal Draman, Gala Dhar, Padi Dhar Bhaderwah, Jayi Valley, Chinta, Guli Danda, San Bai (Golden Well), Sabzi Dhar, Subar Dhar, and many other places. It is pertinent to mention here that the Govt of Union Territory of Jammu-Kashmir is not developing these places of immense beauty which are regarded as Unexplored Heaven on the planet Earth. All these places lie in the sub-Himalayan mountain range from Batote to Bhaderwah which is famous for natural beauty. The beauty of these places is no less than of meadows of Sonamarg or Gulmarg. Bhaderwah is often called Chotta Kashmir and can be compared to Switzerland in its beautiful hills, dense evergreen deaodar and sal forest,blue and snow caped mountains and valley.Dedani is a paradise for tourists where Padri’s scenic beauty attracts thousands of people across length and breadth of Jammu-Kashmir Union Territory. On the day of Bisakhi and August 25 every year there held a festival at Galan Durga Mandir in Dedani since times immemorial. People from all walk of life religions, belief,fairh and regions visited at Durga Mata Mandir Dedani.A road from Hambal to Dedani village is in progress on war foot and it is near its completion due to die hard efforts of Ex-MLA Sh.Shakti Raj Parihar and Ex-MLC Sh Sham Lal Bhagat .The road work reached at village Satula .I requested to Govt of Union Territory of Jammu-Kashmir to complete the road connectivity from Satula village to Durga Mata Temple immediately so that the people from Jammu-Kashmir reached on these two days in a year well in time to perform Darshan of Maa Durga. I also requested to Govt of Union Territory of Jammu-Kashmir to declared holiday on August 25 when people from all walks of life come to the temple from the length and breadth of district Doda and abroad. The 25 August festival is attended by Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Budhists not only from Doda but also from Jammu. The day is important for creating oneness, brotherhood and harmony among all castes and creeds of people. The demand for declaring a holiday on August 25 by the people is pending since a long time but we hope that the government will fulfil it on merit of basis as early as possible. Padri is a Hidden Heaven on planet Earth which is unexplored tourist attractions site that need immediate intention of Govt for promoting tourism, besides need of the hour is to include this lush green beautiful landscape on tourist map of Jammu-Kashmir.Last but not least I once again appeal Lt Governor of Jammu-Kashmir to do needful in this connection so that the economy of the this area can be boosted due to its natural beauty, Bisakhi and 25 August festival.
(The author is EVS Lecturer at Govt Higher Secondary School Kheelani Doda.The views, opinions, facts, assumptions, presumptions and conclusions expressed in this article are author’s own and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
[email protected]