Swatantra Dev Kotwal
In J&K State the district Udhampur’s Moungri area beautifully stretched upto ever flowing river Chenab is brimful with matchless pilgrim-heritage- tourism potential. But the plentiful potential tangible-intangible having multifaceted aspects and significance ironically is still lying neglected by one and all at the helm of affairs. Besides numerable sites, monuments, bowalies, Dev Asthans etc there is one more exquisite and wonderful heritage site of paramount historic importance in village Parand-Khalaar viz 20-25 km a head of Lord Shiva’s naturally formed two cave’s Shrine. The priceless heritage treasure, 4-5 km away from vehicular road, in the shape of an ancient times big bowali constructed by beautifully carved and inscribed stones and many other small and big sized stone made images/statues of horses with riders, old temple shaped wooden/stone made Dev Asthan etc, is there at Parand-Khalaar. Much more could be discovered here through excavation.
The charming site surrounded by green lush mountains has a mesmeric view of river Chenab also at a short distance of 1 or 2 Kms. The splendid heritage has been created by the Dogra Maharaja Ghulab Singh. The Maharaja when lost his Jammu throne to Sikh invaders from Punjab about 200 or more years ago he had to flee from Jammu. He came over here in village Parand-Khalaar and hid himself for quite long time in an old woman’s kucha house. One day the old innocent woman irritated by his long stay in her home asked him ferociously to leave her home immediately as she does not like a coward king. But the king had lost each and every thing. He was all alone. He had not even a single soldier with him. By seeing the hapless and pitiable condition of the shattered king she gave her own youth son to the king as a first soldier to form an army to defeat the enemy and recounquer the lost throne of Jammu for Dogra’s. Encouraged by the valiant old woman’s sermonized advice and sacrificing gesture Maharaja Ghulab Singh took along the old woman’s son as his first soldier and thereafter never looked behind. He assembled a big army and ultimately accomplished the cherished dream of reconquering the Jammu throne. Afterwards the Maharaja conferred Namberdari upon the old woman’s family. He also constructed the aforestated monuments and Bowli etc. in the village where he used to drink water in his exile days. The house/room where he passed his distressed time still exists with the old woman’s younger generations.
The historic episode has now become an inseparable part of the Dogra history. In fact the village Parand-Khalaar has played a most pivotal role in those times. The far-flung and ever neglected hilly area has virtually changed the history and destiny of not only J&K state but India and sub-continent as a whole. Otherwise, the map would have been in other shape. But unfortunately no body at the helm of affairs ever cared for the area and its people who have rewritten the Dogra History.
In fact, the hidden site of such an important historical background needs to be brought to the light, conserved and promoted as a Heritage Tourism spot of the J&K State by making a master plan. In the way at hamlet Khourgali there is an other ancient times stone carved Dev Asthan in the middle of the dense Devdar forest stretch with breath-taking view of river Chenab. It also needs to be tapped and developed in the similar way. All the agencies especially like (ASI) Arch. Survey of India Museums and Archives, Tourism and Culture etc should come forward to do the needful for the hidden heritage.
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