Drangyari

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Drangyari is near Chowkibal, Kupwara

Drangyari (द्रंगयारी) is the major hill destination in Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir region. It is a matter of research to find its link of Dranga kingdom mentioned in Rajatarangini.

Variants

• Drangyari Valley (द्रंगयारी घाटी)

Location

Drangyari is located in Chowkibal region of Kupwara District in Jammu and Kashmir. Drangyari Valley can be approached via Kralpora- Keran Road.

Drangyari iss attractive, worth seeing place located in the west of Chowkibal on the way to Karnah. There is rest house facility provided by District Administration.

Drangyari is Situated near the town of Chowkibal, one hour from Kupwara lies the nature’s wonder “Drangyari”. As you continue snaking your way along the Chowkibal-Tangdhar Road, after about 6 kms you will enter Drangyari Valley.

History

Dranga (द्रंग) was a kingdom mentioned in Rajatarangini .

In Rajatarangini

Dranga (द्रंग) was a kingdom mentioned in Rajatarangini .

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Rajatarangini tells us ... At this time, in the mouth of Shravana, the grateful king (Simhadeva) went to Vijayeshvara to welcome the victorious lord of Kampana. In the meantime Utpala who was coming from Pinchadeva at Shurapura was murdered by the lord of Dranga in a mountain cavern. He was returning from Pushpananada in order to serve Pinchadeva, when he was found out by the lord of Dranga who was secretly looking out for him. But the lord of Dranga was thrown on the ground and was on the point of death. His knee was pierced with arrow. He killed a soldier of the enemy's party whom he found by him. The king, after he had bestowed favors on the lord of Kampana, was on his return. He stopped at the gate of Avantipura when Sura of Dranga bowed to him.[VIII (i), p.136]

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Rajatarangini tells that....Koshtaka imprisoned the chiefs of the several departments of government, and, like a king,- collected rent from the subjects in Dranga, in his own name, and left no money in Sindhu. (VIII (i), p.178)

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Rajatarangini mentions....Rajavadana Balhara was born of Ojas, a leader in the army and in the womb of a chaste woman. This Ojas beamed with prowess, and during the civil war, adorned Sussala's army which was, as it were, a test stone of heroism for the principal warriors. Rajavadana was, during his childhood, called the long-blanket-clad. Owing to the faithfulness of his father, he was retained by the king in his service, and the possession of the estates of Ebenaka &c. was gradually given to him. But Nāga, born in the hermitage of Khuya, turned the king against Rajavadana, whereupon the latter, with a view to fight, held him in subjection. All feared that being a servant, he would not act cruelly towards the king, and not being a Lavanya, would not stand against the sovereign.

Then Alankara who had reached Dranga and had taken possession of the estates was sent by the king with money, to subdue Bhoja. Bhoja said to the Damara [Alankara], " I am ready to go to you, but should yon depart leaving me, I will kill myself." The other promised to see him on the next morning. When thus promised, [Bhoja] without saying any thing to any body left Kotta at the fourth watch of night And when he [Alankarachakra] inquired after him who, though then rained, was looking after the road, he heard that [Bhoja] had gone out of the fort at the latter end

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[p.246]: of the night. The irrepressible Bhoja, with a limited number of followers, journied on by day and went to the shrine of the goddess Shāradā. But out of pity and feeling ashamed to appear before the females of his kinsmen, without the two kinsmen who accompanied him, he, though advanced in years, like a young man, five times tried [to leave the place]. He believed that he would be blamed by men, and felt no desire to go to Durāṅḍa. He went by the road along the banks of the Madhumati with the intention to fight with the help of the people of Darad. He spent five or six days in the way, and the days were very dreadful. Sometimes he passed over rough and broken stones, sometimes the clouds hid the light and darkened all sides, spreading themselves like the net of death. At times masses of snow, like elephants, slided down making the day dreadful. At times the rush of the water fall, like arrows, pierced his body. Sometimes the wind, hurtful to the body, penetrated him into the skin. And at times his eyes, distressed by the sun, were fixed on the moon. The days became fearful on account of the fall of snow. He then descended down a plain not quite level but extended. The descent was difficult, and though he walked down, yet he frequently thought as if he was ascending. At last he reached a village in the skirts of Darad.

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Rajatarangini tells that....Pinjadeva, lord of Dranga, attended by a handful of warriors, such as were not sufficient even to count the soldiers of Lothaka, sent the latter in the direction of death or in the river. A multitude of blazing pyres were reflected in the river, and it seemed, as if the last rites of those who were drowned were being performed. Thus one day, Lothaka, forgetful of death, and taking with him his faithful men, fought an arduous battle and on the next day, he was beaten back with a broken force. He had thought that it would be easy to take within two or three days that lonely town in which he had collected an army from all sides. [VIII (ii),p.255]

Geography

Drangyari is set against the towering Shamsabari hills. Drangyari Valley is one of the out-of-the-way destinations in Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir that are only now coming on the tourist trail. It is the north-westernmost valley accessible to tourists in the larger Kashmir Valley.

Attractions

Drangyari is surrounded by the places like Badi Behak, Aincha and Tilipatra, which is famous for their wildlife. Drangyari is surrounded by numerous lakes and natural water bodies. In this region, there are many historical spots like Farkan, Meelyal, Raja Ram Mountains, Rum Kund, Sita Kund, Laxaman Kund and Hamuman Kund. These are the series of springs situated in Melyal Harie Region and are considered sacred by the Hindu people. There is a famous temple of Hindus named as the Kheerbhawani Temple at Tikker Kupwara in Kupwara District of Jammu and Kashmir. On the way to Drangyari valley of Kashmir Valley one can also enjoy the scenic beauty of Rawathpora wadder.

Drangyari Valley

Drangyari is Situated near the town of Chowkibal, one hour from Kupwara lies the nature’s wonder “Drangyari”. Drangyari in local parlance means a place where there is a confluence of Nalas. The valley has a major nala which flows along the roadside named Drangyari Nar. Three other small nalas also merge into this and this flows towards the town Chokibal. The place is loaded with beautiful meadows, springs and snowmelt streams. As we travel from Kupwara on the Chowkibal Road towards Drangyari Valley, you will encounter Trehgam village. As the road spins out, past vast tracts of cultivated fields dotted with families working the land, apple orchards whizz past and ahead of Kralpora, you can see the forest west toward the Shamsabari Hills. The view is mesmerising and is no lesser than you can find in Switzerland. The areas are lush green during the time of summers and fully immersed in snow spell during winters. As you continue snaking your way along the Chowkibal-Tangdhar Road, after about 6 kms you will enter Drangyari Valley. The valley is rich in natural wealth but infrastructure for overnight stays is still being put in place. The valley has the calmness and soothing view giving you the digital detox which is required by today’s fast paced lives. The place is yet to be developed as a tourist centre, as of now no resorts are present in the area and that is the reason you cannot stay in the valley during the night. The valley provides a classical view will long trees, high range mountains in the background and a small river flowing along the road. People travelling to Tangdhar or Bangus Valley often take a break along the river side during the summers to catch a bite and enjoy the scenery. As of now there is no network coverage in the area which is a bliss else you would be caught up in your work. A small village named Rangwar Village is situated in the valley having a scarce population of roughly 500. One will be able to experience the actual culture and traditional style homes in the village. The valley is an optimum spot to enjoy a cosy stay in the woods, the temperature drops down to as low as 10 degrees in the summers. One can imagine a ideal stay here far from the hustle and bustle of city life, enjoying the sound of nature, no involvement from anyone, sitting quietly and enjoying the beauty of the place. There are not many places to see in Drangyari Valley but in my opinion the valley itself is a gem. One can sit there all day having a cup of warm tea and enjoy bonfire with your loved ones in the night. The place looks heaven in all kinds of weather and has its own charm. The flowers bloom naturally in the area and is a treat to the eyes. The Rangwar Village is yet to receive power supply and the area is mostly pitch dark at night. The tourist out flow is very less during the summers and none during the winters as the road gets closed due to heavy snowfall. The area looks like a wonderland fully covered in the snow. Drangyari Valley has not got its due importance as tourist hardly visit or know about the place. The area needs infrastructure development to handle the tourists and certainly lot of publicity to let people know about this magical place. Where one drive on the road towards Tangdhar, one will reach the famous Sadhna Pass (named after yesteryear actress Sadhna!) and into the remote Karnah Valley, with the towering Shamsabari peaks as the backdrop, before returning to stay over night. You can also visit the Bangus Valley and while you do that, one can encounter a 45 Mins trek between the meadows before you hit acres of flat lush green lands of Bungus valley. Drangyari valley holds potential in terms of a tourist spot and if developed vehemently can turn out to be one of the famous tourist places in Kashmir combined with the Bangus Valley and a trip to the Sadhna Pass.

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