Dachhan

Description

CULTURAL HERITAGE :

Dachhan is a remote and traditional village located in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. It holds rich cultural heritage that reflects the local culture and way of life of its indigenous communities. The cultural heritage here is influenced by the geographic isolation, deep attachment to nature, and the traditions of the Gujjar and Pahari communities occupying the region.

Main Elements of the Cultural Heritage of Dachhan

1. Traditional Fairs and Celebrations:

Dachhan conducts a lot of fairs, in accordance with the local customs and religious rituals; the rituals are mostly related to critical agricultural seasons or religious congregation. Some of the major fairs are:

Eid and Bakra Eid, which is celebrated with much exuberance by the Muslim Gujjar community.

Other fairs and religious congregation associated with the transition of seasons and harvest times occupy the most prestigious position in the village's cultural calendar.

The people of Dachhan too observe many traditional Hindu festivals such as Holi and Diwali, particularly the Pahari and Kashmiri Pandit communities. The traditional indoor celebrations of all four festivals are full of music and dance, especially by the womenfolk.

2. Music and Dance:

Folk songs and folk dances form a part of the rich heritage left behind by Dachhan. The village also had its own set of traditional songs to be sung in the festivals, weddings, or any other gathering meant for a community. The most common instruments used are the dhol and the flute. Group dances are typical forms used during celebrations, where people depict the strong bond between them and nature.

3. Folklore and Oral Tradition

Dachhan, like many other rural communities in the Himalayas, has a rich folklore and oral storytelling. Elders in the village pass stories to their children about local heroes, myths, and legends that describe the origin of the village, which nature formed it, and religion. These stories often infuse the supernatural, gods, and spirits assumed to stay behind the mountains and in the forests.

4. Religious and Spiritual Practices:

The villagers represent a class of mixed religious beliefs. Islamic teachings and Hindu traditions coexist in the same village without causing war. Mosques exist for the Muslims and temples for the Hindu settlers. They have a deep respect for nature, as well as some trees, rivers, and mountains, which are held sacred. Rituals, prayers, and sacrifices are also very common, especially when the harvest is bountiful, and a calamity is needed against nature.

And, there is also Sufi influence here because the shrines (dargahs) dedicated to Sufi saints are pilgrimage places for many locals.

5. Traditional Attire:

The clothing of the locals in Dachhan is related to its harsh, mountain climate. Male counterparts wear pherans-a long woolen gown-while paghdis or turbans/caps are worn by them. Women don embroidered pherans and loose trousers called shalwars and colored scarves or head coverings. Woollen shawls and blankets are very commonly used in the winter season.

6. Handicrafts and Artisan Work:

Dachhan's residents do traditional handicrafts mainly wool-based crafts such as weaving shawls, blankets, and carpets. There is a primary use of locally sourced wool with most items being dyed using natural colors. The designs have been inspired from nature, based on patterns drawn from the mountains, rivers, and other elements in and around their locality.

7. Agriculture Traditions:

Agriculture is the primary occupation in Dachhan, and several cultural practices are linked with agricultural seasons. The perennial farming with crops like maize, wheat, and pulses have been followed for years. Animals such as sheep and goats also form part of several activities, as the villagers follow transhumance, shifting their flocks to high altitudes in summer.

8. Cuisine:

Dachhan local food is rather simple because almost all the products consumed are produced in the locality. The most common dishes are roti (flatbread), maize or wheat, and dal (lentils) eaten with vegetables and ghee or buttermilk. The food does not use much spice because this region is extremely rural in lifestyle.

9. Architecture and Village Layout:

The traditional houses in Dachhan are made from local material like wood, stone, and mud. Houses are usually constructed in such a way to resist hostile weather phenomena, especially cold winters. Houses are usually covered with slate or wooden planks with slanted roofs to throw snow in winter. Houses are traditionally close-knit in pattern because houses have often been crowded to provide warmth and defend against the elements.

Gucchi mushrooms are peculiarly important to Dachhan due to their economic, cultural, and culinary values. It is a rare and scarce habitat; the environment in Dachhan is so specialized that it falls among only a few places where such valuable mushrooms grow wild, and thus, this is an important seasonal source of income for the locality and connects them to natural heritage. However, it will need sustainable harvesting to make this sensitive ecological resource safe.

PRINCIPLE ATTRACTIONS:

The key attractions of Dachhan Village are their sheer natural beauty, cultural wealth, and accessibility to important ecological and adventure destinations. Here are the key attractions:

Trekking & Nature Trails: Several trekking trails pass through virgin forests and rugged mountains, making Dachhan a haven for trekkers and nature lovers.

1. Gucchi Mushroom Foraging

Wild Gucchi Mushrooms : Dachhan is known for its wild Gucchi, a very prestigious as well as rare delicacy. The view of these being spotted during the spring season leaves one awestruck. So it somehow connects one to this region's glut.

2. Hiking and Trekking

Dachhan offers a few exciting trek routes that cross its sacred forests, meadows, and snow peaks. Some popular treks here are to the Warwan Valley and a little further inside Zanskar.

Fall and streams: The treks here can observe the various rivers and waterfalls creating great photographs and a great scenic view.

3. Cultural Heritage and local life

Traditional Gujjar and Pahari Culture: The visitors can get an opportunity to understand the life of the villagers, their traditional norms, crafts, and lifestyles, which include local celebrations and folk music.

Handicrafts: Woolen shawls and blankets are abundant items around the village which prove and show the community's traditional skills.

4. Religious Shrines

Sufi Shrines and Temples: Dachhan has various religious places that include dargahs-the shrines of Sufi saints and small temples, which not only matter for the local people but also provide a serene spiritual experience for any guest.

5. Eco-Tourism and Adventure

Camping and Nature Exploration: For anyone looking for an offbeat adventure, Dachhan is the right place for as much eco-tourism activities including camping and bird-watching can be done, with a serene environment that has remained well-clear of mass tourism.

Dachhan's remoteness and natural beauty make it a rather unique destination in which travelers would seek tranquility and adventure in one of the most pristine areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

BEST TIME TO VISIT:

The best time to visit Dachhan is during the spring, summer, and early autumn months, from April to October. During this period, the weather is pleasant, and the natural beauty of the region is at its peak.

Seasonal Breakdown:

Spring (April to May):

This happens to be one of the best times, as there is a start of melting snow, which makes the landscape lush green with flowers blooming everywhere.

Gucchi mushrooms also start to appear in the forests, so it is a good time for mushroom foragers and nature lovers.

Summer: June, July, and August

Weather is warm and pleasant. It's a good time to visit to take up trekking and wildlife safari on Kishtwar National Park specifically to witness the grandeur of valleys and forest around Dachhan.

Summers are relatively cool, thus easier to venture outdoors.

Fall : September and October

The monsoon leaves and carries with it fresh air and clear blue skies. The season dries up once again. It is a fantastic time to trek or click photos. During this time, the golden and amber hues of the surrounding landscape make it a beautiful season to go around the village and its surroundings.

LIFESTYLE IN DACHHAN:

Its nature of simple, independent, and traditionally deep-rooted characterizes the lifestyle in Dachhan. In fact, while living away from metropolitan settings and usual facilities, the villagers remain peaceful and satisfied as if conducted on earthly assignments connected with their culture, their land, and their community. Dachhan's way of life today stands different in a fast world because it combines traditional farming, cultural richness, and strong family bonds.

PLACES TO VISIT:

Along with the Hudh Mata Temple, there are numerous other attractions in the Kishtwar Valley, providing a wonderful mix of natural attractiveness and cultural heritage. Here are some places you simply cannot miss on your yatra:

Shri Gouri Shanker Mandir Sarkoot, Kishtwar: It is one of the highly ancient temples, beautifully built with great devotion, and Lord Shiva has been worshipped here, aside from other locals considering it one of the significant shrines for pilgrimage.

Sounder, PanjDhara, Chicha, Lopara: These villages give a glimpse of how local residents live and are out there to be absorbed into the nature also.

Ram Mandir at Kaikoot: This temple of Lord Rama is as such famous for quiet and peaceful environment and the architecture.

Maa Kali Temple at Dilgoot: Visit this temple and take the blessings of Goddess Kali, fierce and compassionate.

Explore the rich diversity of flora and fauna in Kishtwar High Altitude National Park.

Kiyar Dachhan Natural Hot Spring: Witness the healing properties of the natural hot spring and recreate yourself with its power.

Tri Sandhya Waterfall: Wonder at the beauty of Tri Sandhya Waterfall where the waters fall all over itself amidst a thick blanket of greenery.

Brahm Sarovar: This lovely lake has been considered as the abode of Lord Brahma. It is one of the serenity exuders and the best place for meditation.

Doodh Ganga: Take a step to tranquility by Bhatinda's Doodh Ganga, milky white river known for its milk-like appearance.

Brahma Peaks: See the magnificence of the Brahma Peaks, which form an enclosure for the valley of Kishtwar and experience this sense of awe associated with those towering mountains.

THE HUDH MATA / BHARMA TREK:

The Hudh Mata Yatra and Bharma Trek are two of the major pilgrimage and trekking routes in Kishtwar, Dachhan Valley of Jammu and Kashmir. Both journeys give spiritual and adventurous experiences with the beauty of stark rugged Himalayas and blessings from revered deities.

1. Hudh Mata Yatra

Significance: The Hudh Mata Yatra is a pilgrimage dedicated to Hudh Mata - another name for goddess Durga or Shakti. It is an annual pilgrim journey of local Hindus and considered the most important religious event for them, through whom they seek protection, health, prosperity, and blessings from the goddess.

Route: The yatra involves trek to Hudh Mata temple at an altitude of 3,600 meters in Dachhan valley situated from Soundar or surrounding villages passing through beautiful places like Dilgoot, Gogil Dhar, and Kaikooth.

The trek to the shrine is heavy, especially because of steep and rugged, often snowy, terrains. Most pilgrims require physical endurance and also a few days to complete.

At the shrine, pilgrims conduct rituals, offer prayers, and cleanse themselves by bathing in the nearby healing spring.

Timing: June to July is considered the best time period for the Hudh Mata Yatra, especially when weather is good for trekking in summer.

2. Bharma Trek

Significance: The Bharma Trek connects Kishtwar to Bharma Valley and is famous for its beauty that the trek bears a name of the prominent Bharma Peak.

Route: The trek begins from Dachhan Valley, with very tortuous tops, alpine meadows, and dense forests that offer panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. Generally, it involves traversing passes such as Gogil Dhar and Gulabgarh into Bharma Valley.

Challenges: The Bharma Trek is challenging due to steep ascents and descents at high altitudes, making it physically demanding, especially for inexperienced trekkers.

Timing: The Bharma trek is best from June to September, in summer and early autumn, when the weather is just right for trekking. Winter brings heavy snowfall, making conditions harsh. Features: It is a multi-spectacle hike, including forests, grassland meadows, with beautiful mountain vistas. It is an outstanding safari for different kinds of wildlife, from rare Himalayan black bears to snow leopards and birds.

ABOUT TEHSIL DACHHAN:

Ekhala to Hanzal is called Dachhan, a landlocked area independent of Marwa or Kishtwar though part of Marwa tehsil. In 2005, Marwa nibat was upgraded to tehsil, granting Dachaan niabat status under it. It was formerly a pargana of Kishtwar tehsil. It covers 100.50 sq. kms of the 873 sq. kms in Marwa tehsil, including the villages Chichal Dachhan, Lohrna, Janakpur, Lopara and Sonder. It has nine Panchayat Halqas and four Patwar Halqas. The chief village, Panjdara, lies on the left bank of the Mariev Sudher river, which divides the valley, with the majority of the population on the left side.

It crosses ChanderBhaga at Bhandarkoot. The bridal path from Ekhala to Sonder in Dachaan is 15 km long with dense forests, and the Pinjari village is a kilometer away from Lohlu road. Similarly, another 15 km stretch from Lopara to Hanzal has no habitation between the forest area also. Ekhala joins Dachhan to Kishtwar, whereas Hanzal connects it with Marwa. The trek distance to Panjdhara from the bus stand of Kishtwar is about 50 km. By geographical isolation, Dachhan is cut off both from Kishtwar and Marwa. It is craddled by lofty hills. Snow clad Brahama peaks 6416 and 6110 meter, Sickle Moon 6775 meter, Thunthur or Crooked Finger 5710 meter and Arjuna peak 6200 meter above sea level all enhance the beauty of Dachhan and beckon on the trekkers to lead expendations on these high mountains. Except Sickle Moon none of these mountain cliffs have so far been scaled.

Dachhan has three streams: Nanth Nala, Kibber Nala, and Kiyar Nala, which are all high altitude streams. Kibber Nala near to Sonder village is considered one of the very ancient streams. Revered sites in Nanth Nala are Rahmsar, Kaikut Wooden Temple, Trisandhiya, Hud Mata, and Bathastal cave. Brahmasar is a small icy lake which is surrounded by mountains known as Brahama peaks. Pilgrims visit the place to take bath in its water for purification during the peak summer time. The water from there flows through Sattarchin, a grassy area about 4 Km away. The left bank of the Trisandhiya stream, it flows downhill three times a day and joins the main stream flowing from Brahamsar.

Trisandhiya is a miracle occurring in nature and gift to human beings. Pilgrims come from very far merely for a chance to bathe. Some people find a stream that goes upwards and others go away not finding anything. Brahmasar pilgrims pray at the Ud Mata and Kaikut Bathstal temples. A kilometer from Suid, a long shallow grotto has a narrow entrance with flowing water, and visitors must pass through a torch-lit tunnel.

This has been ignored by successive governments as there had never been any efforts to seek to develop this area's panoramic beauty for tourism in India. Kiyar Nala forms a valley close to Chhicha leading to the village of Kiyar which is 10 kms from Panjdhara Dachhan, with dense forests along the way and hot springs nearby. Climbing a hill near Kiyar village provides quick access to Dehrna village, saving distance compared to the route through Lopara to Hanzal and then to Nowpachi, the Marwa tehsil headquarters.

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