Bimal Nag
Bimal Nag | |
|---|---|
Hill Station | |
  Bimal Nag Bimal Nag in Saroor, Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, India | |
| Coordinates: 33°11′19″N 75°53′23″E / 33.188615°N 75.889679°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Jammu and Kashmir |
| District | Kishtwar |
| Tehsil | Drabshalla |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Urdu and English |
| Languages | |
| • Spoken | Kashmiri, Kishtwari, Gojri |
Bimal Nag is a hill station situated on a large meadow in the Saroor region of Drabshalla tehsil in Kishtwar district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The area is covered in pine (Pinus roxburghii). Water has collected from a nearby natural spring to form a small pond in front of the Bimal Nag Temple, an ancient Hindu temple on the west side of the meadows[1][2] called Bimal Nag.[3] In 2013, roads were constructed in the area in an effort to increase connectivity in the rural areas of India by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.[4]
Etymology
[edit]
Bimal Nag is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The idol of Lord Vishnu seated on Sheshnag, having 'Shankh' in one hand and 'Chakra' in the other hand made of rare black stone, is a source of attraction for devotees from time immemorial. A spring flows underneath the idol of Lord Vishnu and forms a small pond in front of the temple.[5] It is also believed that in ancient times two saints came to Bimal Nag to take Lord Vishnu away from his home here, but unfortunately Lord Bishnu or Bimal Nag told them that he would come only if they would not stop reciting until he got completely folded (because it is believed that he was a very giant snake). They accepted, but when they were almost done Bimal Nag asked them that how much they had recited. Just a little bit, and he (as the snake) kicked them with his tail and they turned into stones. They are still there in the lake in front of the temple. One can easily see their statues. It is also believed that the whole area of the Bimal Nag, from the temple to the end of this place, has water under it. And it is a fact that if one jumps on the ground one will bounce back.
Tourism
[edit]Bimal Nag attracts tourists with its natural vistas and Hindu temples. As of 2020, there is no infrastructure for tourism, such as hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants, but there is a village on the northern border of the meadows. The other side of the meadows are covered with forests.[6] Like other areas of the Kishtwar district, Bimal Nag has potential for pilgrimage due to its annual yatra.[7] Visitors also come to enjoy Bimalnag Premier League, a cricket tournament, every year.[8]
Route
[edit]The route to Bimal Nag from its nearest airport in Jammu goes through Batote via the National Highway 144, the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel and the National Highway 244 which is known as Batote — Kishtwar National Highway, the latter leads to Drabshalla which is just 25 kilometres (16 mi) away from Kishtwar. To reach Bimal Nag, it is necessary to leave the National Highway by a link road known as Drabshalla-Bimal Nag road.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Explore Jammu Province". Directorate Of Tourism Jammu. Retrieved 7 Jul 2020.
- ^ Naik, Asif Iqbal. "Successive regimes neglected Jammu region on tourism. front". Early Times. Retrieved 9 Jul 2020.
- ^ Aryan, J. R. (13 Mar 2020). "Kishtwar Ignored Beauty". Daily Excelsior. Retrieved 9 Jul 2020.
- ^ Suri, Anubhav (12 Oct 2013). "Wani, G.A Mir, Saroori Visits Behota, Lal Draman, Bimal Nag in Doda, Kishtwar". Doda: 5 Dariya News. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
- ^ https://jandktourism.jk.gov.in/Destinations.html
- ^ Singh, Hakim (22 July 2019). "The unchecked deforestation may prove dangerous to Kishtwar hills". Kashmir Times. Retrieved 10 Jul 2020.
- ^ "District at a glance" (PDF). Directorate of Economics & Statistics. 2016. p. 9. Retrieved 13 Jul 2020.
- ^ "Bonjwah Young Star lifts BPL trophy". Daily Excelsior. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 13 Jul 2020.
- ^ "REACH HERE". mykishtwar.com. Retrieved 15 Jul 2020.