Poonch Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Poonch

Poonch Fort or Poonch Qila is one of the important tourist attractions situated in the city of Poonch. It is an ancient fort whose history dates back to 16th century. Constructed in 1713 by the king of Poonch, Raja Rustam Khan, the architecture of the building is greatly influenced by the architectural style of Mughals. It took several years to complete the construction work of the Poonch Fort.

During the reign on Sikhs, certain changes were done in the main block of the fort in Sikh style of architecture. Raja Moti Singh, who founded the Dogra Raj in Poonch, hired architects from Europe to beautify the structure of the front block of the fort.

Gurdwara Nangali Sahib is situated at a distance of around 7 km from Poonch on a small hill. Located on the banks of Drungali Stream, this gurdwara is one of the oldest religious centres of Sikh community. More than a thousand of devotees visit here annually to offer their prayers. Constructed by Thakur Bhai Mela Singh, the fourth descendant of Sant Bhai Feru Singh in 1803, this gurdwara is thronged by devotees all the time. The first king of Singh dynasty, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, came here during 1814 and in 1823 he connected four villages with this gurdwara.

The complex of the gurdwara currently consist 70 rooms and a langar hall or community kitchen. During 1947, the building of the gurdwara was destroyed and the renovation work was done by Mahant Bachittar Singh. A religious gathering takes place in the premises of the gurdwara every Sunday. A big function is organised here every year on Baisakhi, a popular Sikh festival.

Swami Budha Amarnath Ji Temple is one of the most sacred religious centres for Hindus, which is situated around 25 km from Poonch. The temple is positioned in the middle of the Pir Panjal Mountain at the confluence of Gagri and Pulsta Nadi streams. Prepared out of a big stone, the shrine has four doors facing each direction namely, north, east, south and west. This means that the temple can be visited by all the four castes of Hindus. It includes the Brahmins or the priests, the Kshatriyas or the soldiers, the Vaishyas or the merchants and the Shudras or the service providers.

A white-stone Shivalinga is placed in this temple along with other idols of Hindu gods. People take a bath in the springs present here before going inside the temple as these are considered sacred. A fair known as Mela Swami Budha Amarnath Ji is celebrated every year on the eve of Raksha Bandhan, a popular Hindu festival. A gathering is organised here on Dashnami Akhara Poonch, where havan or homa and a pooja of Chhari Mubarak or Holy Mace are held.

Girgan Dhok, also known as the Valley of Seven Lakes, is situated at a distance of around 70 km from the town of Poonch. Tourists visiting Pooch must make sure to see this beautiful and amazing valley having seven lakes namely, Katorasar, Nandan Sar, Neelsar, Sukhsar, Gumsagar, Kaldachnisar and Bhagsar. The valley is positioned at an elevation of around 12000 ft from sea level in the Buffliaz Belt. The biggest lake here is Nandan Sar, which is around 1.6 km in length and 0.8 km in breadth. Visitors come here in a large number to witness the scenic beauty of the place.

Ramkund Mandir is located around 4 km from the village of Mandhar in Poonch. There are three springs known as Ram Kund, Sita Kund and Lakshman Kund in this temple. Devotees in a large number take a dip in these waterbodies during the Hindu month of Chaitra.

Noori Chamb is a beautiful place popular for its natural surroundings and a waterfall. Located at a distance of around 45 km from Poonch, this place is linked with the famous Mughal emperor, Jahangir. It is said that he used to like this place so much that he named it after his dear wife, Noor Jahan, as Noori Chamb. On the way Kashmir, the Mughal queen used to relax here and take a bath in the waterfall. She also got a mirror fixed near the waterfall whose remains are still there.

Surankote is a small village located at a distance of about 27 km from Poonch. The place lies on the banks of Suran river and is known for Suran Valley. The valley, encircled by tall snow-capped mountain ranges is popularly known as Pahalgam of Poonch. A fort known as Kote was constructed here probably in 1036 and the village got its name as Surankote by combining the name of the river and the fort.

Shri Dashnami Akhara Mandir, located in the town of Poonch, is one of the most popular temples located in the district. During 1760, a well-known religious guru, Swami Jawahar Giri Ji, came here. Rustam Khan, who was the emperor of Poonch that time, visited here to pay his tribute to Swami Ji. In his honour, the king added more land at this spot. Swami Ji lived here until he took samadhi, which is a spiritual state of consciousness in 1787. Devotees can see his samadhi, which is in the premises of the temple. Later on, several other gurus came here, including Swami Shamaya Nand Ji, a great scholar of Sanskrit, who also began a Sanskrit school in the compound of the temple.

Swami Shankarya Nand Giri Ji, Swami Parma Nand Ji and Swami Satya Nand Saraswati are the other spiritual gurus who stayed here. At the moment, the seat of Shri Dashnami Akhara Mandir is occupied by Swami Satya Dev Ji. The festival of Chhari Mubarak or Holy Mace is celebrated every year with great zeal and enthusiasm on the day of Raksha Bandhan, a Hindu festival.

Ziarat Pir Fazal Shah Sahib is the shrine of a Muslim saint known as Saint Pir Fazal Shah. The shrine is located in the village of Gundi in Surankote. Every year in December, Urs is held here in memory of the saint. More than a thousand devotees visit to be a part of this celebration.

Nandishool is a gorgeous waterfall located at a distance of about 12 km from the village of Loran. Pir Panjal is the source of this waterfall, which is around 150 ft high. The Rural Development Department has developed a tourist hut near this waterfall.

Ziarat Chhote Shah Sahib is a shrine dedicated to a Muslim saint known as Saint Sakhi Peer Chhota Shah. It is situated in Sakhi Maidan village, which is 5 km from the town of Mendhar. This shrine is one of the most sacred and respected shrines in the district, where Hindus and Muslims pray together. Every year, Urs is organised here for three days in memory of the saint.

Ziarat Sain Illahi Bakhsh Sahib is a shrine of the famous Sufi saint known as Saint Illahi Bakhsh Sahib. The shrine is situated in the village of Battalkote, which is 37 km away from the town of Poonch. Battalkote is quite a beautiful village located amidst Pir Panjal Mountain Range and confluence of two springs namely, Nain Sukh and Nandishool. This religious site is encircled by thick forests, beautiful mountains, maize fields and waterbodies. In 1948, Ziarat Sain Illahi Bakhsh Sahib came here and lived for the rest of his life and died on 16th May, 1976. Just four days prior to his death he had informed his followers that he will die soon.

Before his death he chose the place for his burial. He also asked them to keep his body uncovered for public view for three days. As a Sufi saint and a preacher, he continuously worked for humankind by spreading the message of brotherhood, peace and love. Each year in May, an Urs is held in memory of Saint Sahib and devotees in a large number participate in the celebration irrespective of caste and religion. The involvement and the contribution of the non-Muslims in Urs has become a sign of combined cultural heritage.

Ziarat Sain Miran Sahib is a religious centre for Muslims, which is situated in Guntrian village in proximity to Line of Control (LOC). It is believed that wishes made here never go unfulfilled, so, people from different religion come here to pay their tribute. Presently, a road has been constructed to this shrine for ease of the devotees.

Mandi is a beautiful small village located 20 km from the town of Poonch, near the confluence of Gagri and Pulsta rivulets. This village is also famous for the religious site known as the Mandir Swami Budha Amarnath Ji. This village is a preferred tourist destination because of its favourable climatic conditions.

Loran, a small hamlet situated at a distance of around 35 km from Poonch, is a famous tourist destination. The beautiful village stands at the foothill of Pir Panjal Mountains and Loran Stream flows through the place making it more attractive. Till 1542, Loran was the capital of Poonch under Hindu rulers and was popularly known as Loran-Kote. Tourists can find the ruins of an old fort called Lohar Kote Fort here. At one point of time, this fort was once popular as the Gateway of Kashmir.