Kishtwar is a town, municipality, and administrative headquarters of the Kishtwar District in the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The district was carved out of the Doda district in 2007 and is in the Jammu division. The town of Kishtwar is situated at a distance of 211.5 km from the winter capital of Jammu. A significant ground locally called the Chowgan ground is located in the heart of the town. Kishtwar is bordered by the Anantnag and Doda districts in the west and northwest, the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh in the south, and the Kargil district of Ladakh in the east and northeast.
District Kishtwar comprises 3 Subdivisions, 11 Tehsils, and 13 Blocks.
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Subdivisions
- Chatroo
- Marwah
- Paddar
Kishtwar district consists of 11 Tehsils (Kishtwar, Chattroo, Marwah, Paddar, Warwan, Nagseni, Drabshalla, Bounjwah, Mughalmaidan, Dachhan, and Machail) and 13 Community Development blocks (Drabshalla, Kishtwar, Nagseni, Padder, Chatroo, Dachhan, Marwah, Warwan, Thakrie, Bunjwah, Mughalmaidan, Palmar, and Trigam).
Famous Religious Places
There are many holy places for both communities. For Muslims, there is a Jamia Masjid located in the middle of the city, and for Hindus, there is Gori Shankar Mandir located in Sarkoot, Kishtwar. Kishtwar has the blessings of Shah Farid ud Din wali [ra] and Shah Asrar ud din wali(ra).
Jamia Masjid Kishtwar
The Jamia Masjid of Kishtwar is the oldest mosque in the district. It is the biggest and towering mosque in the heart of the city.
Durbar-E-Faridia Kishtwar (Har Astan -Badi Ziarat):
It lies at the top near the Qilla side near the main Bazaar Kishtwar.
Durbaar-E-Asraria (Bun Astan)
On the southeastern corner of Chowgan stands the sacred and famous shrine of Shah Asrar-ud-Din, son of Shah Farid-ud-Din.
Gauri Shankar Mandir
It is the most ancient Hindu temple in the Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir. Located very close to the heart of Kishtwar town, the temple holds a central place in the region’s history. This temple is also known as Sarkoot-Mandir.
Major Attractions: Culture, Language, Crops, Famous spots, National Park
A place of attraction for tourists is the saffron fields of Kishtwar located mainly in Pochhal, Hatta, Bera-Bhatta, Matta, and Berwar villages near Kishtwar town. Saffron flowers are in full blossom in October and November every year, making it the best time to visit Saffron Safari.
Kishtwar has diversity in taste, language, and religion, but people in Kishtwar often like to talk in Kashtawari, keeping intact the rich cultural heritage of Kishtwar. Kishtwar is surrounded by high-altitude mountain peaks, and many people want to trek these mountains. Some famous peaks of Kishtwar are Nagin Sheeru, Kalm Shatir, Kumran Top, and Sinthan Maidan, etc.
Recently, under the dynamic leadership of Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, a festival was organized, which paves the way for the exploration of the tourist potential in this atmospherically rich district. Kishtwar is famous all over the nation for its high-quality Saffron (Kung), blue sapphire, walnuts, groundnuts, and pulses like rajma Marwah and Keshwan Rajma. These special delicacies have enriching tastes and aromas as they are highly organic. These crops are cash crops that boost the economic condition of growers as special endeavours are required to be done for their preservation and securing their sustainable presence.
According to the 2011 census, the population of Kishtwar was 230,896. With an increasing population, there is a need for employment opportunities for the youth of Kishtwar. Kishtwar has to its credit the Dul Hasti Hydro Power Project, which generates 390 MW of power for the whole district. Besides this, Kishtwar has produced eminent scholars, historians, academicians, politicians, and officers of repute. These scholars have made every possible endeavour to recollect the past and describe the beauty and sanctity of this scenic hilly district.
Moreover, Kishtwar National Park is located in the district, established on 4th Feb 1981. It has various species of mammals and birds, including Snow leopards, Markhoor, Brown Bears, Kashmiri stacks, Bulbul, Maina, Vultures, and Himalayan Snow Cock, etc.
The district also boasts various flora, especially in the national park, such as Deodar and Pine. There is a need for explorers to discover Kishtwar’s scenic beauty. Kishtwar, a beautiful tourist attraction, is not fully explored by people, and only a few people know about the high-altitude peaks of the district. Let’s together explore our Kishtwar and also the scenic beauty of our Kishtwar district.
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Ayaan Saroori, a dynamic school student and celebrated author, contributes thought-provoking pieces to The Chenab Times. Recognized for his impactful book “Drug: A Risk For Teens,” Ayaan is a passionate advocate for addressing youth issues. His insightful perspectives and dedication have earned him acclaim at various events, making him a promising voice in the realm of teenage literature.
