Billawar Explained

Billawar
Settlement Type:Town
Pushpin Map:India Jammu and Kashmir#India
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India
Coordinates:32.62°N 75.62°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Jammu and Kashmir
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Kathua
Leader Title:MLA
Leader Name:Dr. Nirmal singh
Unit Pref:Metric
Elevation M:844
Population Total:11,916
Population As Of:2011
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:184204
Registration Plate:JK08

Billawar is a town and a notified area committee in Kathua district of the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Billawar was founded by Raja Bhog Pal in the 7th century A.D.,[1] it was a kingdom and its capital was Basohli until the 11th century.[2]

Geography

Billawar is located at 32.62°N 75.62°W.[3] It has an average elevation of 844m (2,769feet). Billawar town is situated in the lap of the Shivalik mountains between the banks of the Naz and Bheeni rivulets, approximately 70 km from Dayala Chak on Delhi-Jammu NH-1A.

Billawar tehsil

The Billawar tehsil (1 of 8 tehsils) of Kathua district has 46 panchayat villages.[4]

History

Raja Bhog Pal, a son of the king of Kullu Valley, founded Basohli and established Billawar as the capital in 765 A.D. after subduing Rana Billo, a feudal chief who once ruled the area. The ruling house was subsequently known as Balouria, deriving from Balor.[5] The old name of Billawar is "Bilawara".

Demographics

As of the 2011 India census,[6] Billawar had a population of 11,916. Billawar has two boroughs - old Billawar town and Phinter area. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Billawar has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy rate of 78% and female literacy rate of 58%. 12% of the population is under six years of age. The major religions in Billawar are Hinduism (88.2%) and Islam (9.7%).

Places of interest

Billawar is known for temple of Goddess Sukrala Devi who is regarded as manifestation of Goddess Sharada Devi of Kashmir. Sukrala Mata Mandir is a major attraction of this region and several devotees throng the shrine during Navaratri.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Paintings and Lifestyles of Jammu Region: From 17th to 19th Century A.D. Raj . Kumar . Kalpaz Publications . 57 . 2006 . New Delhi . 2006 . 9788178355771 . Reprint.
  2. Book: Kumar, Raj, 1960-. Paintings and lifestyles of Jammu Region : from 17th to 19th century A.D.. 2006. Kalpaz Publications. 8178354411. Delhi. 74991379.
  3. http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/12/Bilaur.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Billawar
  4. Web site: Reports of National Panchayat Directory: Village Panchayat Names of Billawar, Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir. Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India. https://archive.today/20130616142147/http://panchayatdirectory.gov.in/adminreps/viewpansumSQL.asp?selstate=77&parenttype=B&ptype=V. dead. 2013-06-16.
  5. Book: Kumar, Raj, 1960-. Paintings and lifestyles of Jammu Region : from 17th to 19th century A.D.. 2006. Kalpaz Publications. 8178354411. Delhi. 74991379.
  6. Web site: Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional). https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. 2004-06-16. 2008-11-01. Census Commission of India.
  7. Web site: Sukrala Mata District Kathua, Government of Jammu & Kashmir India . 2024-08-15 . en-US . The Most famous shrine dedicated to mother goddess is Sukrala Devi Shrine at a distance of 9.60 Kms from Billawar and about 75 Kms from Kathua..