Dharwas
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (August 2020) |
Dharwas | |
|---|---|
Village of Pangi valley of Chamba district | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| District | Chamba |
| Government | |
| • Type | State Government |
| • Body | Government of Himachal Pradesh |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 718 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 176323 |
| Telephone code | 01897 |
| Vehicle registration | HP 45 |
Dharwas is the northernmost town in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located in the Chamba district, around 17 km (11 mi) from Ishriari village in the Paddar valley of Jammu and Kashmir. Dharwas is the largest and most populated hamlet in the Pangi Valley on the Dalhousie-Kishtwar trekking route. The village is located at an elevation of 8,000 ft (2,400 m) above sea level. Trekking base camps are available.
Dharwas is famous for the natural mineral-water spring known as Tilmili.[2] It is believed that water from this spring was sent regularly to the Raja of Chamba.[citation needed] The trek trail leading to Sural Valley of Pangi starts from Dharwas and spans to Zanskar. The Pangi Valley is the most remote valley of the Chamba district, and was described by Dr. J Hutchison (in 1904) as follows:
- "Pangi is unique in its grandeur and beauty: in this respect far surpassing any other portion of Chamba District. The scenery is sublime and imposing, and nature appears in her wildest and grandest moods. Everything is on a stupendous scale. The great river rolls along in a deep and narrow gorge, lashing itself into fury against the adamantine cliffs that confine it. Precipices spring from the brink, in places almost perpendicular, to a height of one or two thousand feet. On the lower ranges are grassy slopes of rich pasture with dense forests of pine and cedar, while high over all, the stern and majestic mountains, piled on one another, attain in altitude of 18,000 to 21,000 feet [5,500 to 6,400 m] rising far beyond the line of eternal snow.
But all is not sublimity and grandeur. Every few miles the traveller reaches fairly open nooks of surpassing beauties, which may have been small lakes in some bygone age, while the river was cutting its way through a rocky barrier in front. There the villages are chiefly to be found. These are few in number, and of small size, for the region is sparsely inhabited."[3]
Transport
 |
The nearest railhead is at Pathankot in the state of Punjab, the nearest airport is the Gaggal airport, and the nearest town is Killar. To reach Dharwas, one needs to turn north-west from Killar, and cross the Sural Nala (also called Luj Nala). A level walking trek of 8 km (5.0 mi) leads to Dharwas. There are buses and taxis available from Killar.
The road connectivity in Pangi Valley is the 170 km (110 mi) road link from Chamba to Killar via Saach Pass. This is known as Always-Killar road and it is part of Ahju Khara Mukh - Chamba - Tissa- Always- Killar road. Travelling to Kilar from Chamba, via Tissa Bairagarh and Saturn, is traversable by motor vehicle, but only suitable for a jeep or rugged vehicle.
One can also take the route via the famous Leh–Manali Highway up to Tandi. From Tandi, Udaipur is 40 km (25 mi) away, with Pangi a further 80 km (50 mi) away - although the road's condition is poor, and occasionally closed to traffic.[4] The Killar is the head office of the valley, and from there, government buses run on every route in the valley. (One route via Jammu, Patni Top, Doda & Kishtwar District (J&K) State)
Other attractions
- Killar: Killar is the headquarters of Pangi valley. It is located in the deep and narrow gorge of the Chenab River.[5] Mahlu Nallah is said to be the gateway to this village. Killar is also a base for a trekking expedition to Kishtwar, through Umasi la into the Zanskar Valley, and to Keylong and Manali. Dharwad is located 9 km (5.6 mi) from Killar, and 137 km (85 mi) northeast of Chamba. Other villages in Killar are Thamoh, Karhoti, Parmas, Kuffa, Kufa, Mahaliyat, Karel, Kawas, Bhat was, Karyas, Punto, Changili, Parghwal. Killar is known for its dances and natural environment. [citation needed]
- Luj: Luj is located at an elevation of 7,000 ft (2,100 m) above sea level. Luj primarily consists of four villages: Udaini, Bishthow, Banwas, and Mangalwas. Udaini houses the Sheetla Devi temple. Luj is the last village and boundary of the Chamba district and Himachal state.
References
- ^ "Dharwas Population - Chamba, Himachal Pradesh", census2011.co.in [This is a derivative website that uses data from the Indian Census, but is not part of the Government of India] www.census2011.co.in/data/village/6675-dharwas-himachal-pradesh.html
- ^ "Dharwas". www.himachaltouristguide.com. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
- ^ Quoted in: Bharnager, Surender Moha (3 December 1964). Singh, Ram Chandra Pal (ed.). Census of India 1961 (PDF) (Report). Vol. XX Part VI Himachal Pradesh. p. 1.
Appendix III (pages 83-6) is Extract from the Punjab States Gazetteer, Vol XXII A, Chamba State, 1904 (pps. 261–266) by Dr. Hutchinson
Appendix IV (pages 87-8) is Extract taken from Guide to Dalhousie, The Chamba state and the neighbouring Hills compiled by Captain J. B. Hutchinson. Revised by B. A. Rose, C.S., Assistant Commissioner, Dalhousie, 1890, and J. Hutchinson, L.R.C.P. & S.E., Chamba Mission - ^ "BRO opens Tandi-Udaipur road". The Tribune (Chandigarh). 28 March 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
- ^ "The route to this hidden valley will test your strength". India Today. 13 November 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2020.