Ashok Sharma
Nature has endowed Duggar with rich natural resources. There are snowcapped mountains, lush green meadows, captivating slopes, alpine hills etc.Besides, we have murmuring rivers and streams most of which have been revered across Duggar region since times immemorial.
These are lifelines of Duggar region providing water for drinking and irrigation.Rivers in Duggar have cultural significance too.Last funeral rites of Hindus are also performed on the banks of streams and rivers and ashes immersed in them. Not only this, many big cities and towns have been established on their banks.Moreover, rivers have vast potential for generation of electricity and many dams have been built on them for this purpose. In Duggar region,rivers sustain our life and are often worshipped with reverence. Here are some of the major rivers flowing across Duggar.
CHENAB
The common name of Chenab during the period of Mahabharata was Chanderbhaga.It finds mention as ‘Askini’ in the Rigveda,meaning ‘ it was seen to have dark coloured waters.Later it was also called Iskamat.The river Chenab (or Chandra Bhaga) is formed after the two streams the Chandra and the Bhaga merge with each other. The Chandra and the Bhaga originate from the south-west and north-west faces of Barelacha pass respectively in the Himalayan region of Lahul and Spiti valley in Himachal Pradesh. The Chandra initially flowing southeast for about 88 kms. sweeps round the base of the mid-Himalayas and joins the Bhaga at Tandi, after traversing a total distance of about 125 kms. At the confluence of Chandera and Bhaga, there are remains of ancient Budhism Monastery. After the confluence,Chenab or Chandra Bhaga, flows in a north-westerly course for about 46 kms where it receives its the Miyar Nalla as its first tributary on the right bank. Then it flows for another 90 kms generally in a northerly direction in Himachal Pradesh when it crosses the Pangi valley before entering to Padder area of Doda district of Jammu province in Jammu & Kashmir . On the way many nallahs such as Kanthuri, Tarpol, Hansvar, Jumble, Duwad etc join it and it reaches Gulhar near Dul where Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Project has been constructed. The river flows in the northwest direction for 56 kms. when it receives its biggest tributary, the Marusudar at Bhandarkot which is a religious spot. Further downstream, the river flows in a southerly direction for a distance of 34 km. upto Thathri (Jangalwad) and then follows a west ward course. In this reach about 17 kms downstream of Thathri, Niru Nallah joins the Chenab on its left bank. After it, Chenab, flows in its ferocious form and a Hydroelectric project named Baghliar project has been constructed near Chanderkot. From Chanderkot, it flows towards Ramban amidst rocks.A wooden bridge at Ramban was got constructed by Maharaja Pratap Singh, which finds expression in the folklores:
‘Ramban Pul Banya , banyan bijan garararia’
Chenab continues its course after Akhnoor and many densely populated villages and towns have been located on its bank.Maharaja Ranbir Singh constructed a Canal at the spot where it enters the plain region, which ushered in green revolution in the region. Maharaja Pratap Singh too got constructed a Canal which irrigates Jyorian, Khour, Chammb etc. At Pargwal, it divides into two parts and finally enters the Sialkot district of Pakistan where Tawiriver joins it.Total length of river Chenab from Baralacha and confluence of Chandra and Bhaga to Akhnoor is about 570 kms and 504 respectively.
TAWI
The Tawi river is also called ‘ Surya Putri’ or ‘Toshi’ in the ancient text.It is an important river in Jammu region and is called the lifeline of Jammu. The Tawi rises from Kalpas Kund of Seoj Dhar in Bhaderwah in Doda district, then descends to Sudh Mahadev and finally merges with the Chenab River in Sialkot in Pakistan as its largest tributary on its left bank. In Duggar region,it approximately covers 112 Kms. It traverses through rocky mountains and its water level rises as a result of merging of various nallahs in it.It is joined by a number of tributaries on the way till it merges with Chenab. After covering a distance of about 45 Kms, it reaches the pictursque place of Dudu Kirchi. Passing through Jakhed, Pattangarh, Dhanas etc., it reaches Sudhmahdev, where the streams of Devak and Bhagirath join it at Venisangh which is revered as a religious place.Passing through Chenani and Udhampur, it reaches Kishanpur Manwal, Dansal, Jindrah etc and reaches Jammu District. On the way, many tributaries such as Bhuteshwari ( Birma), Duddhar, Jajjhar etc join this river as tributaries. Bridges at Laddan, Roun, Jaganoo, Kishanpur etc have been built on it.
There is a legend associated with Tawi River. Once a saintly person meditated deeply to the Sun God and was blessed with a female child who was so beautiful that her parents named her Toshi Bhaskara meaning ‘the daughter of the Sun’. Therefore, Toshi came to be called Surya Putri. In Nilmat Purana Tawi is also referred as Toshi.
The Tawi river has has great religious significance. A large number of Hindus of Jammu city perform ‘Mundan’ ceremony of their children near the river. People offer food to fish in form of wheat balls and pray for their wellbeing and prosperity. It is believed by the Dogras that Raja Bhaid Devta, brought this river to Jammu as Jammu faced acute shortage of water before that point of time. He also brought Tawi to provide water to his ailing father, Raja Basuki who expressed a desire to drink the water of Tawi. As Baba Bhaid moved ahead towards Jammu, Tawi followed him.
People believed that Raja Pehar Devta had blessings of ‘Bawe Wali Mata’, a deity located on river Tawi.’
Aggein Aggein Bhaid Devta Chalda,Pishe Tau namani
Upper Jammua Tau Bage, pilyai pita gi dena Pani’.
Thus, Bhaid Devta has done a great task to bring the river Tawi to Jammu city. There are many sacred spots in honour of Baba Bhaid in river Tawi such as Dibbar Bhaid at Udhampur, Baba Bhaid at Kishenpur, Chhara Bhaid near Kattal Battal and many more. People take holy dip in Tawi on important days such as Sankranti, Solar and Lunar Eclipse, Malmaas & other religious occasions etc. Almost every Dhakki in Jammu from river Tawi has a temple along its route.Samadhis of some great Dogra Kings and Queens have also been constructed on its banks.Many People in some parts of Udhampur cremate their dead on its bank.
Many temples and forts have also been constructed on its bank. Bahu Fort and Mubarak Mandi are on the opposite banks of river Tawi. In Udhampur Laddan Fort and Jaganoo Fort too have been constructed by Raja Suchet Singh in 1822 near the bank of river Tawi, overlooking Tawi.Many folk songs are sung pertaining to this river.
‘Chann mada chadeya te chadeya upper Bawe
Milnegi kinghan aanwan, Tawi Thathan Maare
Milna Zaroor meri Jaan hoooo….
IRAVATI ( RAVI)
Iravati is such a river which finds mention in Puranas and historical treatises. In Vedic times, it was called ‘ Purashiki’ and in Sanskrit literature, its name was Eravati or Iravati. It was during the Muslim rule that it came to be called ‘ Ravi’ – a name which is still in vogue. Ravi originates from the icy glacier of Mani Mahesh in Himachal Pradesh. It enters J& K in Basohli. This river divides the boundary between Himachal Pradesh & J& K. On its bank is located the town of Basohli which remained under the rule of Pal Dynasty for around 800 years. It runs its course majestically and at Thein, a strong barrage has been built, which has resulted in the formation of an artificial lake named Ranjeet Sagar which has submerged many adjoining villages. An hydroelectric project has also been constructed to generate electricity which has revolutionised the agriculture and technology in the adjoining states. Ravi-Tawi Irrigation Project irrigates vast agricultural land in J&K. Passing through various villages, it reaches Lakhanpur which was once a small town known for historical buildings which got damaged due to terrible floods and only their ruins are visible now. Flowing onward, it reaches Madhopur where a barrage has been built on it and water put into canals, which irrigates vast tract of land in Punjab. This river has historical importance too. Many battles have been fought on its banks including those between Gods and Asuras, Dogras and Greeks besides those fought between local rulers. Its main tributaries include Sewa Stream which originates from Bihali in Kaplas peak and Khad stream which too originates from Bihali which in Kaplas region which extends for ten square kilometer. Some main nallahs which merge in Ravi are Parnol Nallah, Vyani Nallah, Bharkula Nallah, Ghor Nallah, Daali Nallah etc.
BASANTER
Basanter originates from Kadhai Dhar near near Ramkot/Khoon from Naaj and Gambhir rivulets. Its catchment area consists of small villages such as Samotha, Soren, Jattah, Thalote and many others. It flows in Samba upto International border with Pakistan. At Narhari Mandir, Devak merges with it. Its tributaries are Sankhai, Kali Nallah, Mansar Nallah, Ruhi and other rainy seasonal nallahs.
Rishi Vishwamitra is said to have worshipped at the origin of this river, Therefore, it was known as Vishwantar or Basanter. It passes through the hills of Ramkot and reaches Bharatgarh.It flows near Bharatgarh fort which is believed to have been constructed by a local ‘Rana’ named Jameje.From here, it traverses through Jakk Jaleri village.From the point of defence, this region is considered to be safe.
Many forts viz Mahorgarh,Bhavnergarh,Thergarh and Malkot etc have been constructed on the hills located on the banks of this river.The love lore between Kesar- the son of the Wazir of Bandral clan and Sukhmo – the niece of the king of Mankot is very popular in this region and is usually sung by the shepherds.This river marches ahead towards Samba with many rivulets joining it.On its western bank, there is a temple of Cheechi Mata and on a hillock is Samba ,the land of warriors. This river has been a witness to many battles and upheavels.It provides water for irrigation for the purpose of drinking and irrigation.
Other major rivers and streams which are tributries to the rivers mentioned above include Anjasi or Anji ( has origin in Bhomag),Neeli Tawi or Neeli Khad (in Pouni),Poonch-Toshi (originates from Ratan Peer in snow capped mountain peaks in Poonch) Sundervani Tawi (has its origin near Shiv Khori), Bhidayi or Beyi (originates from Koota near Billawar), Uddh or Uddhika or Ujjh (originates from Kaplas Peak in Bhaderwah). Then, there are some streams which have been considered holy and revered since olden times. One such stream is Devika which appears at some places but goes underground at other places. Devika is considered as the elder sister of holy Ganges and it manifests itself at Venisang, Udhampur, Jindrah, Sakaun near Surinsar, Purmandal and Sunderbani and flows underground in other places.Gupt Ganga in Bhaderwah, Trisandhya in Kishtwar, Gumphi in Akhnoor and Ban Ganga in Katra are other streams which are considered holy and are widely revered across Duggar & outside.
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