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Devine trinquality and splender in seegalaa Gaganpur Jindrah Jammu

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 Sadaket A Malik Nestled amidst the lofty heights of Jindhra in Tehsil Dansal, Jammu, the Gaganpur Kali Mata Temple emerges as a sanctuary of divine tranquility and natural splendor. This sacred edifice, perched like a sentinel overlooking the adjoining districts of Jammu and Udhampur, unfolds as a testimony to the confluence of spirituality, culture, and the sublime beauty of the Himalayan landscape. The temple complex, a microcosm of diverse religious and cultural elements, is more than a destination for pilgrimage—it is a holistic experience. The main shrine dedicated to Kali Mata serves as the epicenter of devotion, drawing worshippers seeking solace and spiritual rejuvenation. Adjacent to the main temple, a hallowed graveyard and the presence of a revered peer baba add layers of reverence and cultural significance. Pilgrims, in their quest for spiritual elevation, often find themselves immersed not only in prayer but also in the collective cultural heritage enshrined in the temple

Saraz and Sarazi : language and People

Sadaket Malik  Saraz, also known as Siraj, unfolds as a captivating hilly region in the eastern expanse of the Jammu division, situated within the northern realms of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Steeped in historical significance, it once served as a pargana within the former state of Kishtwar. Presently, Saraz encompasses the northern segment of Doda district and stretches into parts of the neighboring Ramban and Kishtwar districts, offering a sanctuary of natural beauty and cultural richness. With a population reaching 180,000 in 2011, Saraz stands as a rural haven, embracing the right bank of the majestic Chenab River. The district headquarters, Doda, serves as a testament to the region's administrative core. To the left bank lies the Bhaderwah area, creating a geographical boundary that enhances Saraz's unique identity. The northern fringes of Doda district share their borders with the erstwhile Anantnag district in the Kashmir region, adding layers to Saraz's historic

Situating Bhalessa : language and People

  By Sadaket Ali Malik Bhalessa is an area off shooting high lying in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district and has a mosaic cultural heritage. Bhalessa lies 32° 57′ 50.50″ N 75° 58′ 48.88″ E. There are most famous mountain peaks/Dhars in Bhalessa like Mehlwar Pass, which rise to a height of 7705 ft. above sea level. The area is endowed with vast wealth of natural beauty and resources. Full with natural endowments, scenic splendor, places of tourist interest, Worship, round the year snow clad mountain peaks and challenging tracks allure the adventurers and trekkers. The area has good potential for tourism including pilgrim and adventure tourism, The Kalgoni Temple, Durga Maa shrine at Tipri khaljugasar deserve special mention here. owing to its captivating scenic splendor, pilgrim centres and lofty mountain peaks. Unfortunately, there area is in shambles due to un exploration. The area need to be explored. In these areas there is lot of snow fall during the winter season and the summer is

Pahari identify of Doda Kishtwar and Ramban : A tale of forgotten people

  Sadaket Ali Malik The Pahari’s are by no means the people living in the mountainous regions, but the people whose language is mountainous, their unique culture, way of life. The Pahari is an umbrella term and under it there is a hierarchy of dialects. Pahari was also listed in the 6th schedule of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir. Whenever a Pahari is mentioned, most of the people argue that it means everyone who is living in a mountainous area, but this is not the case at all. Pahari is an ethnolinguistics way of folklore. Linguists have divided the Pahari language into three major categories : This branch of the Eastern Pahari language is spoken in a vast region as far as Nepal. The locals call it “Khashura”. This branch of the Central Pahari Language is spoken in the Garhwal area of Uttarakhand. The locals call it “Gurwali and Komoni”. This branch of the western Pahari language is spoken in the upper parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu Division’s Bhalessa, Bhaderwah, Paddar, Sara

Paddar and Padri : Preserving endangered language

Sadaket Malik Paddar Valley, located in the extreme north of Pangi in the Kishtwar District of Jammu & Kashmir, is characterized by its mountainous terrain and unique linguistic and cultural features. The Paddari language, belonging to the Indo-Aryan language family, serves as the mother tongue for the residents of Paddar Tehsil. The linguistic landscape of Paddar is diverse, with pure Paddari spoken in rural areas, where residents have limited contact with other languages. However, in urban areas, the language has been influenced by various linguistic elements, including Urdu, Hindi, Pahari, Kashmiri, Bhaderwahi, Lahauli, and Ladakhi. The Paddari language, spoken in over 30 sparsely located villages, faces challenges in terms of connectivity to city centers. These villages often have minimal or no connectivity, contributing to the preservation of pure Paddari in rural settings. Unfortunately, the number of Paddari speakers is dwindling, with fewer than 3000 individuals consi

Discovering Siram Language in Ramban J&K

 Sadaket Malik In the heart of Ramban district in Jammu and Kashmir, there lies a village about 80 kilometers away from the bustling main town. This quaint village, home to the Siram community, holds a unique treasure - the Siram language. Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Ramban, the village is surrounded by the enchanting Assar to the east and embraces the southern beauty of the Patni Top hill station. The district's boundaries extend to Gool in the west and Banihal in the north. The village itself is perched on a sloping terrain, creating a natural division with Muslims residing on the upper side and Hindus on the lower side. Connecting the village with neighboring communities and the main town is a rugged road, linking places like Kabbi, Gandri, and Bathili. Harmony is the essence of life in the Siram community. With a population of around 3000, the people coexist peacefully. Despite being a part of an endangered language group, Siram community members

A Day at Malhori : Exploring Khashali Dialect in Doda

  Sadaket Malik Malhori – a village the linguistic stronghold of khashali language is nestled in the scenic landscapes of District Doda, providing a backdrop that intertwines nature with cultural diversity and linguistic paradise. It is located in Assar Tehsil of the Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir, a medium-sized village boasting a population of 1631 residents distributed across 314 families, as recorded by the Population Census of 2011. Among these, 816 are males, and 815 are females, reflecting a nearly equal gender distribution. The village exhibits a child population (ages 0-6) of 238, constituting 14.59% of the total residents. The area is having rich linguistic and ethnic relevance. There is a kind of western pahari of.indo arayan family spoken called Khashali or Meshabi. The language is now spoken in other areas of the Tehsil Assar too. The demographic landscape of Malhori reveals an encouraging sex ratio, with 999 females for every 1000 males, surpassing the Jammu and Kashm