Bani Valley - A Heaven on Earth

Bani Vally is also famous as MINI KASHMIR of Kathua district. It is also base camp of treckers for bhaderwah, chamba etc. Bani is marked by waterfalls, thick forest patches , gushing streams and medows. BANJAL, CHANDEL are another famous tourist spots. Below are main spots & places which fall under BANI VALLEY.

BANJAL:
It is a colouful area with lot of flowers blooming also known as “GARDEN OF NATURAL FLOWERS’.

CHANDEL:
It is 10 kms from Bani. It is a small valley having spring by the name of CHANDEl. There are small orchards of apple, almonds and walnuts.

PANYALAG:
It is a small town on thee top of HILLS. It is marked by beautiful waterfalls, thick forest patches, gushing streams and green medows. It is about 7 Kms from BANI.

DULLANGAL, MADHOTA, BHAKOGA & DHAGGAR:
Situated on Bani - Billawar trek. It is a small beautiful valley, 12 Kms from Bani.

CHHATARGALLA:
It is the highest point on the Basohli-Bani Bhaderwah road. It is nearly 15 Kms from SARTHAL.

SARTHAL:
It is a beautiful meadow situated at a height of 7000 ft which remains covered with snow for six monhs. The virgin and beauty of the area casts a fascinating spell to any visitor. The area is bounded by snow clad mountains. It is connected to Bhaderwah and to Himachal Pardash. It is 20 Kms from Bani (Block HQ).

DUGGAN:
It is situated at 7000 ft. It is charming valley spreading to one Kms in width and 5 kms in length with fresh water streams flowing from both sides. . It is blanked with thick CHIR, DEODHAR and SHRUBS. It experiences temperate type of climate. It receives winter rainfall from wetern disturbances and summer rainfall from mansoons. Cold winter and pleasant summer are the main attractinns of this place.

This place falls on the way from Bani to Dhaggar. In this area is also located one Old Nag Temple from where annual yatra goes to Kailash Kund.


JODIA DI MATA:
Jodia Di Mata is a religious center which is visited by hundreds of pilgrims during Navratras. Voluntary groups help in providing basic facilities to pilgrims. Situated 4 Kms. From Banjal (Bani, District Kathua), its altitude is about 7,000 ft. Jodia Di Mata commands lot of faith of local people. It is also a beautiful place, full of natural beauty.

DHOULA WALI MATA: Dhoula Wali Mata is a religious center. A large number of pilgrims come and offer their prayers, especially during Navratras. According to a popular belief, a Shephered once dreamt that Mata had come to Mandhi Dhar. He went to Mandhi Dhar where Goddess gave Darshan to him as a little girl. The Shepherd started worshipping the goddess regularly. It is said that once it snowed very heavily. The Shepherd who was a regular worshiper ran to Mandhi Dhar to worship her. Realising the difficulty of the shepherd, she said she shall go to where Dhouli Wali Mata is situated now. The shepherd built a temple at Dhouli Wali Mata. This place is located 10 Kms from Jodia Di Mata at a height of 6000 ft. People have to treck to reach this beautiful spot. It can be reached from Katli (Billawarr), Bhoond (Basohli), Banhore (Mahanpur). Regular Bus service is available from Kathua, Jammu, Udhampur, Pathankote to reach Billawar, Bhoond, Basohli, Mahanpur. Sarais are available at the Shrine.

FAMOUS TREKKING ROUTES:
There are numerous thrilling trekking routes mostly in and around BANI area which pass through virgin mountain areas of beauty. Some of these routes are :

BANI – SARTHAL – BHADERWAH TREK:
Bani (ht. 4200 ft) – Lowang (12 Kms) – Sarthal (10 Kms) – Chattargalla (12 Kms, ht 1000 ft.) – Sirtingal (9 kms) – Bhaderwah (DODA District)

BANI – DHAGGAN – MACHHEDI TREK:
Bani – Khajar (3 Kms, ht 5000 ft.) – Duggan (4 kms, ht. 4500 ft.) – Dullangal (6 Kms, ht 5000 ft.) – Dhaggan (6 kms, ht 7000 ft.) – Sarola (3 Kms) Kmlogh Ghalla (4 kms, ht 10000 ft.) – Badnota (6 Kms, ht 6000 ft.) – Machhedi (6 kms, ht 5000 ft.).

BANI – DHAGGAR – KAILASH TREK:
Bani – Dhaggar – Baskund (ht 17000 ft.) or To Mandi Dhar (ht 10000 ft.) – Kailash (10 hours trek from Dhaggar)

BANI – KHAJAR – BANI:
It is three hours trek starting from bani. It is a local trek and also have view point enroute.

BANI-SUNDROON – BANI:
It is soft trek upto Sundroon 12 Kms away.

BANI-CHATTAR GALLA – BASKUND TREK:
This is a comparatively Tuff trek. It is 8 Kms distance from Chatter Galla (ht.1000 ft ) to Baskund (ht.17000 ft.)

SIARA-BANJAL-KHAJAR-BANI TREK:
Siara – Challa (4 Kms, Ht 7000 ft.) – BANJAL (2 Kms) – Jodian MATA (2 Kms)-Dhoula Mata (10 Kms) – Khajar (6 Kms, ht 5000 ft.) – BANI