Billawar
Encyclopedia
Billawar is a town and a notified area committee in Kathua
district in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India
.Billawar is Tehsil HQ. It is also known as BALAUR. Billawar was founded by Raja Bhopat Pal in 1598-1614 and it remained capital of Basohli Rajas. The descendants of the Royal family are known as “BILLAWARIAS, BALORIAS, BALOURIAS, BILLAURIAS” all being the spelling variants. The town has some ancient monuments. One of these is Mahabilvakeshwar Temple, one of the most revered Shiva temples of the area. It was known as Hari Hara Temple. The Billawar Town is situated on the Bank of NAAZ and BHINNI Nallahs.
This small town is located approximately 70 km from Dayala Chak on Delhi Jammu National Highway No. 1 -A.BILLAWAR is on the bank of river Naj on one side and river Bhini on the other side. Its the tehsil headquarter of District Kathua. It is surrounded by hills and located on the bank of a river. It has tourist spots like Sukrala Devi and ancient Shiv temple. This place is of ancient importance as it was the then headquarter of the BILLAWARIA kings. Consisting of many small villages andBhaddu with 100% literacy.
, Billawar had a population of 4905. Males constitute 57% of the population and females 43%. Billawar has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 78% and female literacy of 58%. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.the old name of billwar is vilawaraThe major religions of this area are Hinduism and Islam. While some Sikh and christian localities are in this area.
, Barel,Phinter, Barota,Pallan, Banhore, Dambra, Plail, kishanpur lornoo, Parnalla and Dharaltta, Nagrota Gujroo among many others.
Billawer is a place of worshipers
The Mahabilvakehwar temple of Billawar is most enchanting and magnificent edifice survived the ravage time. The Shiva temple is the landmark in the development of art and architecture of the region, which provide an insight into the da Linga that is a rare image in the whole region Bala sundri mata is a holy place here. And also its famous for the Sukrala Mata temple which is situated just 8 km from Billawer. Known for its spiritual powers every year lakhs of Yatris come to the shrine from all over india espicially from the northern india. It is also known for its beautiful landmarks around the temple.
The Peer Baba Also known as Varun Devata At the bank of Ujh river is also known for its diversity where every year many devoties hindu or muslim both come together to offer their offerings. A huge crowd gatherings will be found on every thursdays. Once a Year a langar is offerd where people come from every part of state.
MACHHEDI
It is situated at a height of 5000 ft. It is a beautiful Hill Station. It is a ridge blanked with thick CHIR, DEODHAR and SHRUBS. It experiences temperate type of climate. It receives winter rainfall from wetern disturbances and summer rainfall from mansoons. Cold winter and pleasant summer are the main attractinns of this place The water of this place can be compared with that of Cheshma Sahi (Kashmir). It is 30 km from Billawar (Tehsil HQ). Regular bus service plies from Billawar.
BHADDU
A prominent town of Billawar Tehsil, was also once the seat of Imperial Power. It was very small state comprising 36 villages. Bhaddu town is situated on Bhinni Naalah, a tributary of Ujh river. The descendants of the Royal family are called BHADWAL RAJPUTS.
MANKOTE (PRESENTLY CALLED RAMKOTE)
It is an importat town in Billawar tehsil. It is situated on a hillock on the bank of BASANTER STREAM on Dhar-Udhampur Road. It used to be a small state spread over an area of 24 km in length and 15 km in breadth. Mankote was founded by Raja Manak Dev, a contemporary of Raja Narsingh Dev of Jammu (1272-1314 AD). It was renamed by Raja Suchet Singh (1822-43 AD) as RAMKOTE.
There is a lot of competition for matadors as it is a private transportation to increase travellers they decorate their vehicles in a very beautiful manner and a loud local music is played everytime.
Kathua
Kathua is the largest city of the Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir. It is the third largest city in the Jammu region and the sixth largest in the state. The word "Kathua" is derived from the word "Thuan" in Dogri which means "Scorpios". The city was the land of Scorpios before the settling of...
district in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.Billawar is Tehsil HQ. It is also known as BALAUR. Billawar was founded by Raja Bhopat Pal in 1598-1614 and it remained capital of Basohli Rajas. The descendants of the Royal family are known as “BILLAWARIAS, BALORIAS, BALOURIAS, BILLAURIAS” all being the spelling variants. The town has some ancient monuments. One of these is Mahabilvakeshwar Temple, one of the most revered Shiva temples of the area. It was known as Hari Hara Temple. The Billawar Town is situated on the Bank of NAAZ and BHINNI Nallahs.
Geography
Billawar is located at 32.62°N 75.62°E. It has an average elevation of 844 metres (2,772 feet).Billawar Town is situated on the Bank of NAAZ and BHINNI Nallahs in the lap of Shiwalik mountains.This small town is located approximately 70 km from Dayala Chak on Delhi Jammu National Highway No. 1 -A.BILLAWAR is on the bank of river Naj on one side and river Bhini on the other side. Its the tehsil headquarter of District Kathua. It is surrounded by hills and located on the bank of a river. It has tourist spots like Sukrala Devi and ancient Shiv temple. This place is of ancient importance as it was the then headquarter of the BILLAWARIA kings. Consisting of many small villages andBhaddu with 100% literacy.
History
According to one belief, Pandavas visited Billawar in the last year of their exile and were attracted by “BILL” trees in which Billawar abounds. The Temple MAHABILVAKESHWAR was built where Pandavas had worshipped. The Name BILL lateron turned into BILLAWAR. In Billawar there is a an ancient Hanuman's statue built on a rock in the river Naaz.According to Dr Sukhdev Singh Charak, Billawar-Bashli was one of the three parent/ original states of the DUGGAR Group alongwith Jammu and Poonch.Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Billawar had a population of 4905. Males constitute 57% of the population and females 43%. Billawar has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 78% and female literacy of 58%. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.the old name of billwar is vilawaraThe major religions of this area are Hinduism and Islam. While some Sikh and christian localities are in this area.
Billawar Block (Tehsil) details
The Billawar tehsil (1 of 8 tehsils) of Kathua district includes the villages of Bhaddu, Dewal,Tilla (Ward No-7) DudwaraDudwara
Dudwara is a primarily farming community in the Billawar tehsil of Kathua district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Dudwara is south of the village of Bhaddu and located uphill from the Bhini bridge on the river Bhini....
, Barel,Phinter, Barota,Pallan, Banhore, Dambra, Plail, kishanpur lornoo, Parnalla and Dharaltta, Nagrota Gujroo among many others.
Billawer is a place of worshipers
Tourism
Billawar is locatenected through daily bus service to Jammu, Udhampur, kathua, Basoli, Delhi, Pathankot, Lakhanpur Lornoo etc.The Mahabilvakehwar temple of Billawar is most enchanting and magnificent edifice survived the ravage time. The Shiva temple is the landmark in the development of art and architecture of the region, which provide an insight into the da Linga that is a rare image in the whole region Bala sundri mata is a holy place here. And also its famous for the Sukrala Mata temple which is situated just 8 km from Billawer. Known for its spiritual powers every year lakhs of Yatris come to the shrine from all over india espicially from the northern india. It is also known for its beautiful landmarks around the temple.
The Peer Baba Also known as Varun Devata At the bank of Ujh river is also known for its diversity where every year many devoties hindu or muslim both come together to offer their offerings. A huge crowd gatherings will be found on every thursdays. Once a Year a langar is offerd where people come from every part of state.
MACHHEDI
It is situated at a height of 5000 ft. It is a beautiful Hill Station. It is a ridge blanked with thick CHIR, DEODHAR and SHRUBS. It experiences temperate type of climate. It receives winter rainfall from wetern disturbances and summer rainfall from mansoons. Cold winter and pleasant summer are the main attractinns of this place The water of this place can be compared with that of Cheshma Sahi (Kashmir). It is 30 km from Billawar (Tehsil HQ). Regular bus service plies from Billawar.
BHADDU
A prominent town of Billawar Tehsil, was also once the seat of Imperial Power. It was very small state comprising 36 villages. Bhaddu town is situated on Bhinni Naalah, a tributary of Ujh river. The descendants of the Royal family are called BHADWAL RAJPUTS.
MANKOTE (PRESENTLY CALLED RAMKOTE)
It is an importat town in Billawar tehsil. It is situated on a hillock on the bank of BASANTER STREAM on Dhar-Udhampur Road. It used to be a small state spread over an area of 24 km in length and 15 km in breadth. Mankote was founded by Raja Manak Dev, a contemporary of Raja Narsingh Dev of Jammu (1272-1314 AD). It was renamed by Raja Suchet Singh (1822-43 AD) as RAMKOTE.
Sukrala Mata
The Most famous shrine dedicated to mother goddess is Sukrala Devi Shrine at a distance of 9.60 km from Billawar and about 75 km from Kathua. The Shrine is located at a height of 3500 ft on a hillock amidst sylevan surroundings. The white line coated imposing edifice of the temple stands erect majestically. The pilgrims have to scale flights of many steps to reach venerated temple. The holy shrine is the abode of goddess Mal Devi, the re-incarnation of Sharda Devi. The goddess has manifested herself here in the shape of a Shilla (Stone Slab) seated on a Brass Lion with a silver mounted head. Behind it is also an image of Mahishasur Murdini (re-incarnation of Maha-Luxmi) standing on the body of Mahishasur, the Demon King. The Goddess is four Armed with a sword in one of her hands. Many legends are associated with the Shrine. The Holy Shrine is believed to have been built by Madho Singh and exiled Prince of Chamba (Himachal Pardesh). The Pilgrimage to the Shrine is increasing every year. During the Navratras the Number goes upto over 50 thousand.Transportion
Buses for Jammu, Kathua, Basoli, Delhi, Pathankot for long distance and for short distance Matadors.There is a lot of competition for matadors as it is a private transportation to increase travellers they decorate their vehicles in a very beautiful manner and a loud local music is played everytime.