Ashok Sharma
Krimachi is a small town located at about 10 Kms to the north of Udhampur on the Udhampur -Lander road at an elevation of 730 m above the mean sea level.
The latitude 32.9 and longitude 75.1 are the geo coordinates of village Krimachi.Two streams Birunallah(Birma) and Bhuteshwari Ganga drain the fertile area of Krimachi.The history of Krimachi is a matter of conjecture and is covered under the thick mist of time. However,The local tradition says that in the olden days,it used to be the halting place on the Jammu -Kashmir route through Banihal.It is also believed that Krimachi was founded by King Kichak, a contemporary of Pandavas.While Pandavas were wandering in exile from place to place, they happened to come here and stayed here for a considerable time.It so happened that King Kichak cast an amorous look at Draupadi and gesticulated with malice intentions.His behaviour angered Bhima who killed the king and Krimachi remained without a king for a very long time.Another tradition says that Bhupal Singh of village Landhar came to Krimachi and constructed his palace within the walls of the fort at Garh Top.As he had no offspring , Krimachi became kingless again after his death.Still another tradition says that Kirmachi was the capital of Bhuti whch had been one of the principalities of Jammu region under the successors of Daya Karan who was sent to rule over Jammu by his father,Puran Karan,the ruler of Kashmir at that time.According to Dewan Narsingh Dass Nargis,the writer of ‘Tareekh Dogra Desh’, the descendents of King Daya Karan ruled Krimachi for a pretty long time and their dynasty was known as Bhutial Dynasty.King Som Dutt of the same clan also came to Krimachi and established his principality named Bhuti which included the area upto Landhar with its capital at Krimachi.King Bhadur Singh is also believed to have ruled Bhuti during the period of Raja Ranjit Dev of Jammu.The last ruler of this dynasty Himmat Singh was defeated by Maharaj Ranjit Singh and ultimately the Bhuti was given to Maharaja Gulab Singh.This Bhuti was annexed to the Jammu kingdom in 1834 and the successors of Maharaja Gulab Singh ruled it till its accession to India after independence.
Krimachi is famous for world famous Krimachi temples also called Pandava temples which have been declared as protected monument by Archaeological Survey of India.These group of temples are believed to have been built in the 8th-9th century though the local folklore says they were built by the Pandavas during the period of their exile when they stayed here for a long time.These temples marked as No1 to 7 by ASI for easy reference and dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Ganesha, Shiva and Mata Parvati can undoubtedly,be called the wonderful piece of craftsmanship. Temple No 1,2,3,6 & 7 are built on a common raised platform whereas temple no 4 is built on a much higher platform.Temple no 1 is most developed and ornamented.These temples attract a large number of tourists, research scholars, historians and all those interested in studying their archaelogical and historical importance.There are beautiful flower beds and grassy parks maintained by ASI, which is trying its best to maintain the pristine glory of this priceless heritage. It is a beautiful picnic spot and local people believe that if more excavations are carried out, there is possibility of some more structures being unearthed.
Besides the internationally famous temples, Krimachi is famous for a historical fort located on the top of a hillock called Garh Top, about 200 m from the road,commanding a beautiful, enchanting and panaromic view of all the sides of surrounding areas as far as Narore-Banjala on one side, Garnai on other side, Gandala-Tirchi on eastern side and Charakwalan and Orah on the northern western side.Inside the fort, there is a land of about six kanals.From each of the four corners of the plateau, one can have a breathtaking view of the beautiful mountains, meadows and lush green fields, meandering rivers and Pandava temples. This historical fort, also called ‘Bhutial ka Kila’, the old people recall,had a strong boundary wall to defend it from the aggressors,now has only the threshold having beautifully chiselled stones and only a part of the boundary wall facing the western side gate standing as remnants of the old Fort, which bear testimony to the magnificence of the fort in the times gone by.This fort is believed to have been constructed by Bhutial dynasty, which expanded its empire as far as Galiote and Lander now in tehsil Panchari. A large number of people of Bhutial clan still reside in Sorap, Pangara, Mansar, Galiote but many others have migrated to Udhampur and Jammu due to under development in this region and in search of better educational,medical and other facilities. Raghuveer Singh, a native of village Mansar says that a Bhutial named Veer Singh, who was appointed as Kiledar (caretaker of fort), was alloted land at Bhangara Khalsa. Impressed by his devotion and dedication, he was later alloted a village now called Bhangara Jagir.In the fort, there is an ancient temple of Mahakali and a newly built temple dedicated to Mahakali,which attracts a large number of devotees from across Udhampur. The fort has now been adopted by the Patnitop Development Authority which has initiated a slew of measures since 2013 to develop it into a prominent historical,archaelogical and tourist site. Many viewpoints enroute and at the site have been constructed to promote tourism. A park has also been developed enroute and on the site where benches have been provided to enable the visitors to take rest and enjoy the enchanting view of nature all around.Plants of various types of medicinal and ornamental plants such as bel, peepal, banyan, rose, bananas etc have been planted.An amphitheatre having a capacity to accomodate about 500 people, has been constructed by Patnitop Development Authority.The parks have been covered by fencing and pathways with hedge.There are other captivating attractions for the children such as merry-go-rounds and other equipments for their fun and enjoyment.A cafe offering cold drinks and tea/coffee has also been opened.So, this site can serve as an excellent picnic spot for the school children due its proximity to the road and in view of breathtaking view and pollution free environs.There is also the need of opening a restaurant to provide food and eatables to the visitors.A road connecting Krimachi with Pandava temples through a a foot bridge has also been constructed but it needs macdemization.A visitor to the Fort and Pandava temples is sure to carry with him unforgettable experience.
To the western side of Krimachi is a village named Dabrah where there is an ancient Bowli called Rani ki Bowli, which has a spring having gushing water and people from far and wide come to see this bowli.Dabrah used to be a ‘Jagir’ bestowed on Shamsher Singh who was related to Maharaja Hari Singh through the latter’s mother’s side.The old people recall that Maharaja Hari Singh used to visit a thick forest near Dabrah for hunting.One of the sisters of Shamsher Singh was married in the royal family of Nepal.Close to Krimachi, there is the Sthan or abode of Baba Bataal, where people offer new produce of crops and milk of buffaloes and cows before themselves consuming these things.There are a large number of fish living in natural environment at this spot but it is considered a sin to kill these fishes.People consider it as a pious act to feed the fish.There is need to connect this spot by a road.At Sorap, there is a spring of cold water called Budhi Sudhi originating from underneath a big stone.There is also a famous ancient Shiva temple and Radha Krishan temple located on the banks of Bhuteshwari Ganga.Krimachi is a fertile land which has produced sons and daughters who have excelled as civil servants, doctors, educationists and in other fields and brought laurels to their motherland.There is the need of a big playground to provide adequate opportunities to its students and youth of Krimachi and adjoining villages for playing games and thus, ensure their all round development and keep them away from drugs and other vices.Krimachi can also be developed as tourist circuit and the devotees and tourists visiting Katra Vaishno Devi, Patnitop and Kashmir can be diverted to visit Krimachi temples and the historical Fort by constructing a road from Udhampur via Jakhar, the shortest route to this historic spot.
Close to Krimachi,there is a village named on the other side of the Bhuteshwari stream, named Mansar, probably after Raja Man Singh.This village has the glorious distinction of giving birth to Major Narain Singh, the hero of Indo-Pak war in 1971.The legend goes that Major Narain Singh of 4, Jat Regiment and Maj Shabbir Sharif-the elder brother of former Pak Army Chief, Gen Rahil Sharief entered in one to one combat famously called ‘Battle of Majors’ to have a control of a key bridge caled Beriwala bridge in Fazilka sector.Major Sharief was killed and Major Narain Singh also attained martyrdom while trying to capture the bridge.For this act of exceptional bravery and courage, he was conferred with the Vir Chakra by the Government of India.His sacrifice is still recalled by the residents of Fazilka who call him as ‘Saviour of Fazilka’ and they pay respect to the memorial built in memory of the heros including Maj Narain Singh, at Asafwala village in Fazilka sector, especially on eve of Baisakhi and Vijay Diwas on 16 December every year.A memorial in recognition of his supreme sacrifice has also been built at the entrance of Udhampur town and his statue(bust) gives a message of sacrifice and valour to one and all.
Thus, Krimachi is a town having huge historical and archaelogical importance.Therefore, it has great potential for attracting tourists, historians, archaelogists etc from within and ouside the state.What is required is promoting this historic spot as a tourist spot.For this purpose, it is imperative that it is developed as a tourist circuit by attracting tourists and devotees visiting Vaishnodevi, Patnitop and Kashmir.It can be done by putting hoardings displaying pictures of Krimachi temples and the Fort on the important tourist and other spots across the state and outside thus,awaring people about their historical and archaelogical importance.Moreover, a road needs to be constructed from Udhampur to Krimachi temples via Jakhar in order to boost tourism to this region.The information Department, Archaelogical Survey of India, the Ministry of Culture etc. should also conduct programmes and seminars at such spots on the history, culture and heritage of various regions of the state to highlight their importance and attract tourists.
(The writer is serving as lecturer in English, Govt.Hr.Sec.School (B) Udhampur)
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