4 Jammu Redefining
I
By Parul Mahajan
F you love being in the company of majestic hills, want to roam free
aimlessly under the clear sky and breathe fresh air standing in the
middle of mustard fields communicating with the nature, listening to
the chirping of birds in chorus with gushing waters of running stream.You
need not do much. Simply fill your rucksack with your basic essentials
and embark on a hour long train journey from Jammu to reach Manwal,
India's first green railway station powered by solar panels.
Coming out of the Manwal railway station you will be greeted by the calm, green environs and dash of fresh air. As
you will look around your eyes will be set on hordes of
livestock grazing the fields and majestic mountain
peaks at the back. The surroundings resemble
humble settings of just any other hill station. So
what is so different about Manwal, a small village situated at Dhar road roughly 28 Kms
from Udhampur.
Riding on an auto rickshaw, the only mode
of cheap local transport, as you
will approach the main
bazaar passing through the
link road dotted with neat
and clean village houses,
you will start experiencing
the earthy charm of a
relaxed life. Laziness
would soon
engulf
y o u
and you would be longing for a cozy bed to catch all the lost sleep, far
away from the hum drum of hectic life.
The still landscape and picturesque mountain ranges, filled with white
snow blanket looks enticing on a bright sunny day.
As you hit the main road connecting Manwal and Kishenpur, the nearest power station, you will not find any rush hour. A handful of minibuses,
auto rickshaws and few odd cars can be seen parked along the main
road.
Though all kinds of businesses
Dera Babour Temple
were on yet the number of people
present on the main road was even
far less than those huddled inside
one compartment of metro rail in
urban centres across India.
The life moved on at its slow
pace. Elderly can be seen playing
cards and sitting in small groups
outside tea shops and temporary
eating points. The school going
children were returning home after
appearing in their annual exam.
The women were busy in daily
house hold chores.
After soaking yourself in the local
environs as you start moving forward a small board on the main
road catches your attention.
Painted in white and black
colours the board displayed by the
CMYK
Jammu Redefining
| February 9--February 22, 2014
Archeological Survey of India guides you to the Ancient Bhagwati temple
inside the narrow street.
As you step inside the protected monument you come face to face with
the golden history of Manwal village and instantly travel back in to the
time machine with every forward step in the right direction.
Devi Bhagwati temple was originally dedicated to Vishnu and is dated
back to 10-11 century A.D, a local priest Satpal Gupta informs you.
Along with four other ancient temples Bhagwati temple has been
taken over by the