Pouni village Heritage and culture

Description

Introduction to village

Pouni is a small town and tehsil in the Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir, India. It lies near the famous Vaishno Devi shrine and is surrounded by scenic hills, rivers, and forests. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people here, and it serves as a connecting point between several villages in the region.

Cultural heritage

Pouni village is known for its rich cultural and spiritual heritage. The sacred Shiv Khori cave shrine draws thousands of pilgrims, while the Duggardhani haat showcases Dogra cuisine and empowers local women. The village also preserves Dogra folk traditions, festivals, and handicrafts, making it a vibrant hub of culture and community life.

Population

Pouni is a village with a population of 1,259 people as per the 2011 Census of India. Out of this, 647 are males and 612 are females . The village has shown steady growth over the years, and recent projections estimate the population to have risen to about 1,404 in 2024 and around 1,414 in 2025. This reflects a gradual annual growth rate of roughly 0.7% since 2011.

Infrastructure

• Road & Transport: These national highways link Pouni to Reasi, Katra,Poonch, and Jammu

Schools in village: GHS Pouni (Govt. Higher secondary school pouni) .Their is no college in Pouni; nearest degree and vocational institutes are in Reasi and Jammu

Healthcare: Village has a dispensary Larger hospitals, TB clinic, community health centre are located over 10 km away . According to the local residents the dispensary in the area lacks proper facilities—there is no doctor available, no essential medical services, and despite multiple complaints, no action has been taken by the authorities

Agriculture: It include Horticulture and Sericulture . Pouni is a semi-hilly region where agriculture is the primary livelihood for many villagers. Village Saloon in pouni is declare as agriculture land by the government of India.

POSTOFFICE:Post offices like this one serve as multi-functional hubs, offering Postal communication, Banking (IPPB) services for the unbanked population, Money transfers, savings accounts, and insurance, Delivery of government schemes like pensions and subsidies

Attraction

FAMOUS HILLTOP: The Gan hilltop is one of the best natural view-points of the Pouni region. From where we see the whole village pouni.

RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE OF NARSINGHMANDIR: Narsingh Mandirs are dedicated to Lord Narasimha, thefourth incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu in Hinduism. The Pouni temple is believed to be one of the sacred sites where this divine intervention is especially honored—emphasizing

ASHRAM: This spiritual center in Pouni is the site of a significant Hindu ashram run by Saint Balak Yogeshwar Dass Ji. It hosts major religious events — like the “Ati Maha Vishnu Maha Yagya” — attracting hundreds of disciples and pilgrims

BEST TIME TO VISIT:

The best time to visit Pouni village is during the spring i.e March to May and autumn i.e September to November seasons. During these months, the weather is pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold, making it ideal for exploring the scenic beauty, temples, and surrounding hills. Winters (December to February) can be chilly, while summers (June to August) may get warm and humid. Visiting during festivals like Baisakhi, Navratri, or Diwali also offers a chance to experience the village’s vibrant cultural traditions.