The district comprises three tehsils of Haveli,Mendhar
and Surankote.It has 178 villages of which 168 are inhabited,51
Panchayats and a town.A small district with comparatively less
population,Poonch district has a rich cultrual heritage and distinct
historical background connected with the great Mughals. The caravans
of Mughal emperors for Kashmir passed through Poonch district
in 17th Century and that route is known as Mughal road. The district
has an area of 1.14 Lakh hectares of which 23 percent is cultivable.There
are 37,000 land holdings covering an area of 54,000 hectares as
per 1980-81(Census). About 3,0000 hectares are irrigated principal
crops of the district are maize,paddy and wheat while Maize is
the staple food of the people. Poonch district offers a representative
of the State in clime,culture and secular outlook. The people
speak Gojari and Punchi which according to Grieson, is a sister
language of Punjabi dialect Lendhi. Both the languages have rich
folk lores Potari and folk songs.
Historical Places and Monuments
Buddha Amarnath
Twent five Kms.in the north east of Poonch town
is situated an ancient temple of Lord Shiva on the left bank of
Pulsta stream. The area is known as Rajpura mandi two Kms.above
mandi village. This is a unique Shiva Temple which is located
on the foot hill and not on the hill top and secondly the Shivaling
of white stone is not self-made.The stream which flows near it,is
loran stream but it is belived by the locals the Ravan's grand
father Pulasta Rishi performed his tapasya and thus is known as
Pulsta stream. This shrine is said to be older than of Amarnathji
of Kashmir. Thousands of people visit on Rakhsa Bandhan.
Ramkund
Another well known shirne located about 68 Kms.from
Poonch town is that of Ram Kund. Believed to be of Mahabharat
period,it is just 11 Kms.away from Mendhar. The temple was said
to be constructed by Raja Lalitaditya while others believe that
Raja renovated it,and originally it was constructed by Lord Rama
when he was on his way to Kashmir. There are three springs.
People take bath on first of bright half of Chaitra.
Ziarat Sain
Situated in village Guntrian,10 Kms.from Poonch,the
Ziarat of saint Sain Mira Sahib is a popular pilgrim centre,Hundreds
of devotees visit this Ziarat.
Nangali Sahib
Nangali Sahib Gurudwara is situated on the left
bank of Drungli Nallah,which is four Kms.away from Poonch City.
This gurudwara was established by Sant Bhai Mela Singh who is
said to have visited this shrine in 1810 A.D.when he was on his
way to conquer Kashmir.
Ziarat Chhotay Sahib
Located 58 Kms.away from Poonch and 4 Kms.from
Mendhar this Ziarat is situated in the village Sakhimaidan. Hundreds
of piligrims come to this place every day.
Tourist Places
There are several beautiful spots on the foothill
of Pir Panchal mountain range.These are:
Behramgala
Situated at the foothill of 8,600 ft.high Rattan peak on the historic
Mughal Road about 45 Kms from Poonch Town. Behramgala is
small picturesque spot in a deep gorge.It is small plateau surrounded
by mountains and forests.Just near to it is the confluence of
Thatta pani and Parnai streams which further adds to its otherwise
scenic and natural beauty.
Noori Chamb
A famous water fall in the district also connected with the Mughal
Emperors is located in the north east of Behram Gala.This water
fall is yet another scenic spot which has tremendous tourist potential.The
fall of the stream gives rise to dense clouds of water vapours
which engulfs the area and spread all over.The emperor Jahangir
had developed so much fancy and liking for this fall that he named
it Noori Chamb after the name of his beloved queen Noorjahan.
Buffliaz
Another beautiful hilly spot situated on the
foothill of Peer Rattan range is Buffliaz,39 Kms.east of Poonch
twon.The village named after the horse of Alexander the great(Bunifales)who
is said to have died there,is situated on both the banks of Poonch
river.
Loran
A small town situated 34 Kms.north of Poonch
town was once the capital of Poonch State under Hindu ruler upto
1542. According to Rajatarangini,it was then known as Lohar Kote.There
are ruins of the Lohar Kote Fort which was called as Gateway of
Kashmir but now it is destroyed.At this fort,Raja Trilochan Pal
defeated Sultan Mahmood Gazanavi.This spot is surrounded by forests
and some snow clad peaks.
Surankote
In Rajatarangini,this town was described as Sawernik
in the past.Nealy in 1036 A.D.there was a big fort called kote.
Combining the name of the town with the fort,it become Sawernik
Kote which ultimately changed to its present name of Surankote.
It is very charming valley surrounded by snow clad peaks and is
known as Pahalgam of Poonch.
Krishna Ghati
This beautiful hilly and forest area is located
24 Kms.from Poonch town.The hill top,known as Krishna Ghati gives
a commanding view of natural scenic beauty.The area is connected
with a dependable road.
Girgen
It is bewitching valley of seven lakes.This valley
is located about 70 Kms. from Poonch town.This area is also important
from trekking point of view. Neel Sar,Nandan Sar,Katora Sar are
among the fascinating high altitude lakes.Several trekking expeditions
used to come in this valley and trek to these lakes.
Poonch Fort
The foundation of historic fort building in the capital truncated
Poonch district,was laid by Raja Abdul Razak Khan in 1713 A.D.
