Rajouri District

Rajouri district is located between 70 degree and 74 degree-4'East longitudeand 32 degree-58'and 33 degree-35'north latitude.It is approx.at a distance of 160 Kms.from Jammu district. It is bounded by Poonch district in the north, Jammu district in the south, Udhampur district in the east Azid Kashmir (Mirpur area) in the west.Carved out of the district of Poonch in 1968 to facilitate process of development and better supervision Rajouri district has an area of 2630 Sq.Kms. with six tehsils,seven blocks,77 Panchayats and 381 villages. The district with an area of 2,630 Sq.Kms. has peculiar features.The Dhaula Dhar range runs across the north eastern part of the district and topography of Rajouri,Budhal and part of Kalakote tehsils consists of numerous hills and small valleys of meandering brooks. District Rajouri offers a representative of the State in clime,culture and secular outlook.The district presents a composite culture-Pahari,Gojri,Dogra and Kashmiri.Irrespective of ethnic groups all speak the pahari language with ease. The climate varies from semi-tropical in the sourthen part to temperate in the mountanious northen part.The sub-tropical region receives regular monsoons whereas the northen part prone to hailstorms experiences excessive rains.The district is drainded by small rivers.Rajouri has witnessed both the patronage as well as carnage of the time.The remnants of fortified Mughal inns are a pleasant reflection of the glorious days of the place when it used to be a camping site for the Royal Mughal entourage proceeding towards Kashmir Valley.
Historical Places and Monuments
Thanamandi:- This is an important historical place from the time of Mughals who used to stay there during journey from Delhi to Kashmir and vice versa.The climate of this place is very charming and infact a health resort.It is also famous for its artistic wooden products.The famous shirne of Shahdara Shariaf is 6 Kms from this place.
Dhandidhar Fort:- It is a historical monument located on a hill in the vicinity of Rajouri town.This fort was probably constructed by Mughal King during the reign of Emperor Jahangir nearly 400 years back.It is just 2 Kms.away from Rajouri presenting panoramic and impressive view of the entire area.
Shahdara Sharief:- It is the shrine of Baba Ghulam Shah in the lap of montains which is well connected with 30 Km. black topped road from Rajouri Town. The shrine commonly known as Shahdara Sharief is a popular tourist spot in Rajouri district. Thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine daily. There was a pir named Ghulam Shah who was born in Syed Family at village Saidian Rawalpindi. Ghulam Shah made Shadara his abode for the rest of his life.
Chandan Sar:- Chandan Sar,a bean shaped lake and full of iceberg till end of July, is situated at an altitude of 3,800 meters.Two kms.in circumference, it is a source of Chamar Nala which joins Bafliaz nala near Behram Gala. It is day's trekking from Ravi Walli marg.
Gum Sar:- This is an another small lake at the foot of Dhakyar peak at an elevation of 3,600 meters. Dhakyar peak is the highest peak in this range. It is a pyramidical mountain with height of about 4,660 meters.