Dr. Bharat Bhushan
The picturesque Bani Valley of Kathua is nowdays catching the attention of tourists and adventure lovers because of its beauty , strategic location and pleasant atmosphere all through the year . However, during summers, the beautiful Bani valley of District Kathua in J&K experiences flow of tourists,adventure lovers & others who like to beat the heat & enjoy the natural environs of Bani-Sarthal area. Situated at a distance of 165kms from Lakhanpur, Bani is a four & a half hours journey via Mahanpur, Basohli & Sheetal Nagar.
The glaciated valley of Bani can be accessed from Himachal Pradesh also via Banikhet-Kheri Dam, (Hut Maska). It is one & a half hour journey from Dalhousie,Himachal Pradesh.
Once at Bani, the tourists are moved by the beauty of the spot. The lush green meadows of Dhagger, Roulka, Doulka, Sarthal, Chattergala, Banjal & Duggan, not far-off from Bani, are captivating & invigorating also. The visitors visit these places & find themselves in the midst of Mother Nature, in pollution free surroundings.
The murmuring streams & gushing ice-cold waters of Kharkal Nallah, Sarthal, Lowang Nallah at Lowang-Kharwah & river Sewa in Bani add to the beauty & Charm of the area. The soothing sounds which emanate from seven falls at Kharkal near Lowang (enroute Sarthal) & the panoramic view of the valley below catches fancy of the visitors who love to stop for a while, appreciate beauty of Kharwah, Lowang, Nakhnoli Mata Shrine, Sarthal & Chattergala. Chattergala is the link point between Sarthal & Bhaderwah.The famous Kailash Kund Yatra from Bani & Duggan passes from Chatter-gala.
Bani has a rich culture & heritage.The people celebrate festivals collectively. Every year a three day extravanza is organized in Bani from 25th June to 27th June . Called as Bani Mela, it attracts large number of visitors. Wrestling Competition (Shinj) is the main attraction of 3-day Bani festival in which wrestlers from Punjab, Haryana, J&K & Delhi participate with enthusiasm. One may be young, the other may be old -all make beeline to Bani Mela Ground to see Shinj Mela & enjoy the joy rides there. The children love to shop & eat at make- shift shops in the Mela. Several other festivals and fairs are also celebrated in Bani- Sarthal area-“The land of folk lore and festivals.”
Getting There- Regular buses ply from Jammu & Kathua to Bani & back. Early morning journeys are preferred.One can hire taxi also.
Where to Eat – Enroute Lakhanpur-Sarthal Development Authority has Way-side Amenity at Thein village. It has a Tourist Reception Centre “Holiday Home” at Satwain, equipped with ten Air conditioned rooms.The tourists can stay here for night & enjoy the view of majestic Ranjit Sagar Lake.There are also private eat- points enroute from Lakhanpur to Bani. People make it a point to stop at Mahnu Village and relish Burfi & Khoya.
Where to Stay- PWD Rest House Bani, Forest Rest House Bani, National Hydro-electric Power Corporation Rest House at Sarthali near Bani are available.Private Hotels are also available. A Yatrika Niwas of Lakhanpur Sarthal Development Authority in Shakti Mata Shrine,Bani has two halls where tourists/pilgrims can stay.
Shrines in & around Bani- Shakti Mata Shrine in Bani,Jodian Wali Mata near Banjal,Dolay Wali Mata near Dhagger ,Dhajji Mata Shrine on Bani-Sarthal road near Chandel are held in high esteem & pilgrims throng these shrines throughout the year. However massive rush is seen during Navratras in these Shrines.
Other Places of tourist interest – Khajjar, Duggan, Challa, Siarra, Gatti & Bhandar are other places near Bani which are worth experiencing.
(The writer, a KAS Officer is presently Chief Executive Officer,Lakhanpur Sarthal Development Authority)
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