Jogindernagar

Template:Infobox Indian jurisdiction Jogindarnagar or Jogindar Nagar is a city and a nagar panchayat in Mandi district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Named after Raja Joginder Sen this is terminal point of 163 km long Kangra Valley Narrow gauge railhead.

History & Overview

In 1925, Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi created an elaborate hydel power scheme near the village of Sukrahatti-which was then renamed Joginder nagar (1,220 m) after him. After tunneling and piping the water over several kilometres from the river Uhl to Joginder nagar, the Shanan Power House was built by a team of engineers headed by Col. Battye. Later, the HP State Electricity Board added another set of turbines at nearby Bassi. The vision of the hydel project scheme was to construct five power stations using the same water that is drawn from the Ulh river. The third stage, Shanan and Bassi being the first and second stages respectively, is under construction at Tullah near the Machhyal Lake.

The town came into prominence in 1932 when the first hydroelectric project was constructed here. It was the only hydroelectric project in northern India which fed undivided Punjab and Delhi. The economy of the town got a fillip in 1970 when the Bassi Power House was built utilizing the tail water of the Shanan Power House. The generation cost at this project is the cheapest in the country. Soon after the completion of the project the business received a setback with the migration of thousands of workers engaged in the construction. Jogindernagar is one of the few towns of Himachal Pradesh connected by rail. Jogindernagar is well connected with road and railway line. Once it was the biggest potato market of northern India. At that time the potato growing valleys were not linked by roads. Over 2,000 mules from the Lahaul and Spiti valleys transported potatoes from far-flung areas to Jogindernagar which was the only railhead in this part of the state. Potatoes from Mandi, Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts were brought here for further transportation to West Bengal.

Jogindernagar has the Ayurvedic Research Institute and other infrastructure.

Jogindernagar is the only city in Asia having three power houses simultaneously – Shanan Power House (110 MW), Bassi Power House (60 MW) and Uhl Stage III (100 MW). These three power houses adds up their potential to 110+60+100=270 Megawatt (MW). One very special thing about it is that these all Power houses is that these are being run by using the water of single river ‘Uhl’, which originates from a high peak having altitude 14,500 feet in Kangra district.

Geography

Jogindarnagar is located at 31.98°N 76.77°E / 31.98; 76.77. It has an average elevation of 1,010 metres (3,314 feet). In winters the temperature drops low and summers are pleasant and mild.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Jogindarnagar had a population of 5,046. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Jogindarnagar has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 74%. In Jogindarnagar, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Access

• Distance from Mandi:- 56 km.
• Distance from Chandigarh:- 259 km.
• Distance from Shimla:- 210 km.
• Distance from Pathankot:- 163 km.
• Distance from nearest broad gauge train:- 163 km. (Pathankot)
• Distance from nearest airport:- 60 km. (Kangra Airport)

Places of interest

Haulage way system (4 km)

Haulage

Here is a haulage way system in Jogindernagar which is perhaps its only kind of track in the world. There are different haulage way stations in this particular transportation system starting from Buffer stop (4,150 feet). Next is Adit Junction set at an altitude of 6,000 feet is locally called as 18 number as it is imprinted over there. The water rushes down from the reservoir at Barot in the Uhl river through penstock pipes going down nearly a thousand meters (3,280 feet). The loading capacity of haulage way cars are 15, 10, 5 tons. Higher the capacity, lower the speed. Haulage Way System or Trolley at Jogindernagar is one of its own kind in the world.

Winch Camp (7 km)

The next is Winch Camp situated at an altitude of 8,000 feet. The height of the peak is near about 8,800 feet. On the way to Winch camp there are thick forests of Rhododendron (Burans or locally known as Brah ka fool) from which people prepare delicious sauce having a great medicinal use. From this place one is able to see kilometres of distance including Beas River, Mandi Hills, Kangra district and Hamirpur boundaries etc. In winter season there is heavy snowfall over these mountains which sometimes even scales up to 4 feet or above. At this time local people, tourists, students from schools and colleges step onto these marvelous mountains for having the gorgeous pleasure of snowfall on their feet. On the other side of the mountain is Headgear, the next haulage way station at an altitude of 8,300 feet. This spot packs outstanding scenery of Himalayan ranges, including Dhauladhar, which are about 14,050 feet or above from the sea level. From Headgear haulage way car descends the steep hill having a large gradient. This steep hill is known as ‘Khooni Ghati’ means ‘Valley of death’ as it is locally said that there had been any accident over here but nobody is sure in this regard. Further coming station is Katheru set up at an altitude of 7,000 feet above sea level. The next short journey track is called as Zero Point at 6,050 feet.

Barot

Main article: Barot

Two reservoirs of the power project are located in Barot. It has a trout breeding centre. Across the river Uhl is the Nargu Wild Life Sanctuary home to the ghoral, Himalayan black bear, leopard, Monal, kite, monkey, kasturi deer, wild cat, nilgai, kakkar and a variety of pheasants. Every year, hundreds of tourists from nearby places and states like Punjab, Haryana visit it. There is also a high altitude panoramic lake at an height of 14,000 (4,150 m) feet known as Dianasur lake where holy journeys are started in the month of August and September. Lord Hanuman is believed to have stopped over this place while killing an evil witch. There are many varieties of herbs and flowers over these mountains having great importance and medicinal use. There are many temples of local Devtas (Gods) in this valley known as Chauhar Valley. Proper arrangements of staying are available in rest houses being run by government and hotels being run by local bodies. One government school, computer and music centre as well is located here. Population of Barot is a thousand approximately. This is a very beautiful place.

Bir-Billing (16 km) — Paragliding Pre-World Cup Spot

Paragliding Pre-World Cup is held every year at Bir-Billing (16 km from Jogindernagar) in the month of October or November. Billing (8,600 feet) is the hang gliding spot from where paragliders take off for landing at Chaugan, where this competition is held. Every year hundreds of participants from all over the world take part in this particular competition. Thousands of tourist and viewers from distant places come to join this Cup. Billing is well connected with road where competitors land off to win this great Cup. They fly over the mountains of Baijnath and Jogindernagar for selected distance. This Cup is started by Hon’ able Chief Minister of the State. Some important world records have been made by foreigner Para gliders here.

Shanan Power House (3 km)

Jogindernagar is the only city in Asia continent having three Power houses simultaneously. The vision of the hydel project scheme was to construct five power stations using the same water that is drawn from the Uhl River. Shanan Power House of Jogindernagar is the oldest Hydro-electric power house of India and one of the oldest powerhouses of the world. This power house was built by Col. Batty, an English engineer and his team. Most of the credit of creation of Jogindernagar and to make it a popular town goes to him. Afterwards more high capacity turbines were built here but unfortunately, being this power house in HP it is still under Punjab State Govt. HP Govt. is still not paying their attention towards this matter.

Shanan Power House at Jogindernagar is the first Hydro-electric Powerhouse of India and perhaps one of the oldest in the world.And it is very beautiful. Lots of people use to come here to see this Power House.

Railway Track (0 km)

Joginder Nagar is well connected with a narrow gauge railway line. This railway track was built during 1926–1929 and was opened for transporting raw material for construction of Shanan Power House on April 1st, 1929. This railway line has been nominated for inclusion in UNESCO's cultural heritage list. Proposals for extending this railway track up to Leh have been made. The proposed 460 km long railway line will pass from Joginder Nagar, Manali, Keylong, Pang and will go up to Leh. There was a steam engine which has been replaced by diesel engine. Jogindernagar-Pathankot is the longest railway line track of Himachal Pradesh.

High Peaks (5–20km)

The highest peaks of Jogindernagar are Billing peak (9,510 feet), Winch Camp (8,820 feet), Jhatingari (6,725 feet), Siqander Dhar (6,010 feet), Banderi (5,225 feet). However Winch Camp is the nearest (8 km from Jogindernagar). In Siqandar Dhar peak as well as Banderi some ancient forts are constructed by Rajas of that period. There is heavy snowfall over these mountains during winter.

Baba Balakrupi Temple (2km)

This temple is situated in Balakrupi village which was renamed after this temple. An annual fair is held here at nearby temple ground at every Saturday of the Ashaadh (starting 15th June) month. Balakrupi is 2 kms from Jogindernagar. In Balakrupi temple a special tradition of cutting down the hair of two and one-half year old child known as ‘Mundan Sanskar’is done.

Jhalwan (2 km)

This village is situated beside national highway 19. It has only Govt. revenue training centre of the state near Jhlawan (3 km from Jogindernagar). At nearby Bhatta a residential colony for Uhl Stage III employees is situated. The temple of Chamunda Mata, the Goddess of war is situated here. Devotees from distant villages come here. Here one temple of Lord Shiva is situated at Bagh. The residential colony near Bhatta is made in modern style.

Lakshminarayana Temple (5 km)

In a nearby village known as Ner (6 km from Jogindernagar) is a hundreds of year old temple of Lord Lakshminarayana. Lord Vishnu is said to have meditated here for 300 years and is built by Pandavas. This temple came into the minds of people when an industrialist from other state dreamt of meeting God and God said him to take care of the temple. Industrialist donated thousand of rupees for the repair of this temple. It is said that the idol of God on that night moved inches from its original place and bells started ringing automatically.

Bassi Power House (6 km)

The generation cost of Bassi Power Project at Jogindernagar is the cheapest in the country. Its capacity is 60 MW.

Chauntra (10km)

It’s a beautiful town situated at an altitude of 4,250 feet above sea level. There are many beautiful Buddhist monasteries and a large Institution of Tibetans. This town is also showered with tea orchards. An annual fair is held here at nearby ground.

Banderi Temple (4km)

Banderi Mata Hills

This temple at Banderi peak (5,225 ft) is held sacred to Goddess Banderi. People from distant villages come for the completion of their prayers. A big public lunch locally called as Bhandara or Jag is held in Navaratra period. Half a kilometre from this temple is Kila Karanpur Fort made by Raja Joginder Sen.During Bhandara or Jag people from different place comes in morning from their homes and first they stay in Temple and then they go to Kila . All the people sit in groups and talk a lot and enjoy their full day.But some bad elements who have no spiritual mind (like majnoo) has cruppt this holly place may Banderi Mata punish like these bad element as Koddhi. Bol Bande Jai Mata Di

Banar Baba Temple (12 km)

A temple at an altitude of 5,500 feet above sea level is held sacred to Banar Baba or Baba Balaknath and situated in Banar village at a steep rocky mountain. It is said that various kind of skin diseases can be cured by taking a bath near a waterfall in Banar village.

Brajeshwari Temple (13 km)

This temple is popularly called as Gada wali mata Temple situated at an altitude of 4,776 feet is held sacred to Goddess Brajeshwari. Thousand of people every year come to pray Goddess. Ancient time forts are also there and a small fair is held in Navratra Period. From this place one can see over the areas of Mandi, Kangra and Hamirpur district.

Baijnath Temple (20 km)

20 km from Joginder Nagar is this exquisite temple where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Vaidyanath - ‘The Lord of Physicians’. The original temple was built in 804 AD. Here King Ravana is said to have supplicated Lord Shiva for this boon of immortality. More information available at www.baijnathtemple.com

Machchiyal Lake (6 km)

6 km from the Hotel Uhl is this small lake held sacred to Machendru Devta means the God of Fish. Fish are fed and worshipped here especially on Saturday and Tuesday. Fishing is strictly prohibited here. A fair in the month of April is held here every year. A bridge over Gugli Khadd, a small river, is situated here. Out flowing water of Uhl river from Bassi Power house meets into Gugli Khadd. Some beautiful temples of Machendru Devta are lying beside the lake with very old idols of God of Fish. A comparatively large lake is 1.5 km away from sacred lake which is 200 m lengthy and 20–50 m broad. There are thousands of Mahashir fishes here. The first Mahashir fish farm of India is proposed to build at upper Machchiyal.

Chaturbhuja Temple (25km)

This is a very ancient temple said to be built by Pandavas is situated at an altitude of 4,830 feet held sacred to Goddess Chaturbhuja, a form of Goddess Durga, is situated in Basahi Dhar. It’s an enchanting temple along with 100 feet high TV tower. A big fair is held here in Navaratra Period.

2 km far and in front of the temple the temple of mata Ashapuri is situated.Mata Ashapuri fulfills the prayer of her devotees . Devotees visit this temple and do the thanks when their prayers are fullflled . The temple is situated on the top of hill and this place is open in all dircetions.Three mobile phone tower do the function of hoisting the Mata's flag (jhandi). This temple and its surrounding areas are worth seeing . 1/2 km far from this temple are two open natural grounds which give the look of paradise. A small lake attracts the birds even from siberia.

Siqandar Dhar and Forts (15km by road, 3km by trekking)

Siqandar Dhar is one of the highest peaks of Jogindernagar lying at 6,010 feet from sea level and is a small mountain range of 30 km from North-west to South-east. Certain beautiful villages, temples and fort are lying here. Thick rhododendron forests can be found home to various wildlife species. The gorgeous Jogindernagar is simply described as ‘The City of Powerhouses’.

Attractions

• Pathankot - Jogindernagar rail line.
• Shanan and Bassi Hydel Power Projetcs
• 11 km. long Haulage ride.
• Macchyal lake.
• Bir.
• Billing.
• Jhatingri.
• Barot.
• Baijnath.

External links

• Himachal Tourism Dep. Co.
• Himachal Tourism Department India