Khag Budgam
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Khag Budgam (खाग, बडगाम) is a tahsil town in Badgam district in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Before 2008, Khag was one of the blocks of Beerwah tehsil. After the government of Jammu and Kashmir created new administrative units in 2008, Khag was granted tehsil status.
Variants
Location
It is 8.8 km away from sub-district headquarter Beerwah and 35 km away from Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
Jat Gotras
- Khag (खाग)
Origin
- Khagendra was a Mauryan King of Kashmir, who, as the sixth predecessor of Asoka, must have reigned about 400 B.C.[1]
History
In Rajatarangini
Rajatarangini[2] tells us that Lava was succeeded by his son Kusheshaya, who was a powerful prince. He bestowed the village of Kuruhara on Brahmanas. His son Khagendra, who succeeded him, was a valorous and patient king. He destroyed many of the Nagas, who were his enemies. He founded the villages of Khagikhuna and Musa.
खाग, बडगाम
खाग (Khag) भारत के जम्मू और कश्मीर राज्य के बडगाम ज़िले में स्थित एक गाँव है। यही नाम तहसील का भी है।[
Villages in Khag Tehsil
Tourism
Wistierwaan: Wistierwaan is a large pasture at Nowrooz baba khag that is surrounded by dense forest having Pinus. It is very beautiful place and in summer attracts various visitors from the state and also from local peoples.
Shrine of Baba Nowrooz Reshi: The shrine of Baba Nowrooz reshi is in Nowrooz Baba Village and is about 3 km away from Khag. It is very famous shrine and attracts large numbers of visitors in winter season as well as in summer.
Tosa Maidan: The Tosa Maidan pasture is a large pasture that is surrounded by dense forests of deodars and pinus, giving it the appearance of a green carpet in summer. It is situated about 15 km from Khag in the Himalayas. In ancient times, shepherds from many countries used to visit the area and it was on the regular route for Mughals travelling to Poonch district and Punjab in Pakistan. Today the area is frequently used by local shepherds and the Gujjar community. Tosa Maida was leased to the Indian Army in 1964 for 50 years. After the army lease expired in April 2014, it was opened to the public by the government of Jammu and Kashmir.
The pasture can be accessed via the Basmai Gali pass at 3,962 m (13,000 ft). Another pass on its right side, Poonch Gali, leads to the Poonch valley. This pass was believed to be the safest, easiest, and nearest way to reach Punjab in ancient times. From here, a path also leads to Nilnag. Tosa Maidan is the largest pasture in the area at 11.7 km2 .
Pehjan: Pehjan is an alpine pasture situated about 25 km from Khag in the Himalayas. In the local language, it is called Nueer. The pasture is reached via a route from Khag to Gogaldara via Donwar, Brari Pather, Anzwaer, and Yanga Pather. It is serene, picturesque and rich in deodars, covered with various kinds of asters and several plants of saussurea lappa (Kuth), surrounded by lush green forests on four sides. In June, shepherds from nearby plains bring their cattle and sheep for grazing. On the way to Pehjan, there is a huge rock with seven pinus trees on its top (locally known as Satte Yaeer) which is considered to be the site of the miracle of Sheikh ul Alam Sheikh Noor Din Noorani. Beside this, another pinus tree standing on one of the big stones (locally known as "Palle Yaeer") is also considered to be part of his miracle. Wular Lake can be seen from the pasture.
Nakwaer Pal (Nocturnal Rock): Nakwaer Pal (the "nostril rock") is on the way to Pehjan. It is the highest peak in this range at 4,267 m (14,000 ft) high. It is believed that when the Kashmir Valley was a lake called Sati Sar, boats used to be tied up to this rock. It has an iron hook anchored within it. Ded Bal, also known as Lal Khanen Gher (the place of Lal Khan) also falls on the way to Pehjan. Shepherds and Gujjars come to Ded Bal from adjacent villages with their livestock.
Naranag: Naranag, also known as Narain Nag, is a spring situated at the Khag bus stand. The spring is known for its fish, and a fish farm has been built by the fishery department of Jammu, and Kashmir. The water of the spring remains very cool during summer and warm during winter. The Tosa Maidan spring is considered to be the origin of this spring. According to locals the Tosa Maidan spring merges with Nara Nag several kilometers below the soil. According to local legend, an ascetic passing through Tosa Maidan once dropped a bag full of sheep dung into the lake. When he reached Naranag Khag several days later, he saw the dung floating on the surface of the Naranag. He returned to Tosa Maidan and sprinkled some turmeric powder into the lake, which also appeared in the water in the Naranag.
Sitaharan (Sutharan): Known for its spring, Sitaharan is located near Tosa Maidan and the Line of Actual Control. According to a local legend, Rama stayed here during his twelve-year exile with Lakshman and Sita. The spring's name comes from Sita who is said to have bathed in the spring. The name was later changed to Sut Haran or Sutharan. Close to the spring is a rock where Sita sat, according to the legend. The spring is also said to be the origin of a small lake in Tosa Maidan.
Other places: Poshker is a village 4 km from Khag, known for its scenic beauty. Pushkar Nag is a spring located to the east of Poshker, approximately 15 km from Khag, between Khag and Ferozpora. Gandhak Nag is a sulfur spring in the Drung Khaipora village of Khag. The healing properties of the sulfur make the spring locally significant.