Baramulla

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?Baramula Jammu and Kashmir • India
Baramula
Coordinates: 34°11′53″N 74°21′49″E / 34.198, 74.3636
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 1,593 m (5,226 ft)
District(s)	Baramulla
Population	61,941 (2001)

Coordinates: 34°11′53″N 74°21′49″E / 34.198, 74.3636 Baramulla is a town in the Baramulla District in the Kashmir valley, about 60 km from the state capital Srinagar. The name is derived from the early Sanskrit name Varahamula.

1 Overview
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 References

[edit] Overview

The name is derived from two letters Varrah (Sanskrit: Boar) and Mul(Sanskrit: Molar). In Nilmatapurna the earliest epic of Kashmiri is is mentioned that Kashmir was a lake and Vishnu became a Boar and drained it by making a breach with a molar. The town is located on the banks of river Jehlum at the highest point of the river. In fact, the river forms a delta just in the outskirts of the town. The town is strikingly scenic because of open view of valley on the east and tall mountains on the west.

Varrah was an extraordinarily brilliant engineer who lived in Baramulla during ancient times. The story goes that he was first to assess that Baraulla is the highest point for River Jehlum. By his calculations he could make out that if silt is dug out or the river path in vicinity of town it could be a major step towards solution of flood problems in the valley. The task was massive and he realized it could not be done that easily. A brilliant idea, quite norm to his personality, struck him and he threw gold coins into the river in front of a large gathering in the town. This prompted people to dig out silt from river in search of gold coins. It is said that this was a major step towards solving the flood problems in Kashmir. So much so that even in modern times (1970s/80s) the same strategy was applied and a digging machine was implanted on river Jehlum in Baramulla.

[edit] Geography

Baramula is located at 34.2° N 74.34° E.^[1] It has an average elevation of 1593 metres (5226 feet).

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census, ^[2] Baramulla had a population of 61,941. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Baramulla has an average literacy rate of 65%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 63% of the males and 37% of females literate. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The Baramulla District is the largest District in entire valley both with reference to the population and area. The District is spread over an area of 4588 sq km. The Baramulla District is bounded by Kupwara in the North and West, Budgam and Poonch in the South, Kargil District in the East and Neelum District (Azad Kashmir) and Skardu District (Northern Areas) in the Northwest.

The district is divided into 8 Tehsils, 16 CD Blocks. The eight tehsils of Baramulla are Uri, Sopore, Gurez, Tangmarg, Baramulla, Sumbal, Pattan and Bandipora. The Sixteen blocks of the district are Uri, Boniyar, Baramulla, Wagoora, Pattan, Rafiabad, Rohama, Tangmarg, Sopore, Zaingeer, Bandipora, Hajin, Sumbal, Gurez, Kunzer and Singhpora.

In the 15th Century, Baramulla became important to Muslims, as the famous Muslim saint, Syed Janbaz Wali, who visited the valley along with his companions in 1421 AD chose Baramulla as the centre of his mission, and after death was buried here. His shrine attracts pilgrims from all over the Valley.

Shri Guru Hargobind Ji visited Baramulla while accompanying the Mughal Emperor Jahangir during his visit to Kashmir in 1620 AD. The famous historical Gurdwara "Chatti Padshahi" is located in Baramulla and was constructed to commerated the visit of Shri Guru Hargobind Ji. Baramulla is a town where approx 10,000 Sikhs live in perfect peace with their Muslim and Hindu brothers.

In Baramulla there are very old Hindu Temples -such as "Devibal"(Goddess Shelputri) popularly known as "Shalay Hund" which is on the banks of River Jhelum and on the way to the famous Muslim Shrine "Janbaz sabh" Near Khanpora. On the hilltop is a very famous Hindu Mandir popularly known as "Gosaintang" here Lord Rama along with his brothers and Wife Sita Visited this place during his 14 years of exile? Gosaintang can be seen from "Chatti Padshahi" and from "Devibal".

Baramulla has one of the best schools in J&K - St Joseph's HSS. It has produced thousands of professional who are working all around the world. Baramulla has some of the best tourist locations in Kaskmir viz Gulmarg, Wullar lake etc.

Kashmiri is the predominant language spoken in the District. Shina is the dominant language in Gurez Valley in Gurez Tehsil which is situated in the Northwest on the border with Neelum District and Skardu District, Pakistan. Pashto is also spoken in a few villages in the far north located on the Line of Control.