This Rakhi, was no less than a revival of childhood.
Being born and brought up as a Pahari at Billawar is what has built me close to nature, hills, chambs (शँब in dogri) means waterfalls, bowlis/ baan, khadd, takkis etc.
The natural/clean/fresh water termed amidst the hills of Jammu.
as "Bowli" or "बआँ" in Dogri.
As per the custom, the small kingdoms of a particular region used to furnish up these water bodies for pubilc in order to fulfill their daily water requirements.
If i relate them with the "Harappan civilization" of "public bath", it would be similar upto an extent, where people used to bath and later pray.
A spot of women time together while washing their clothes at these bodies.
Men used to visit after the sun rise while women used to visit before it, in the dark.
These well setted water bodies were accompanied with temples exclusively of Lord Shiva and carved idols of Gods and Goddesses over the walls.
As per "Sanatan" and "Dogra tradition" after the bath, people offer water over the "लिंग" / "linga" of Lord Shiva and the Sun while they pray, fulfilled the relevance of temples and carved idols of God.
These "bowlis / बःआँ" still serve the people as a fresh underground water source, for it is said the water in the mountains is never polluted and is clean.
Of course, when i talk about it, as per my emotional sentiments of being a "Pahari", the water tastes better than any mineralised water or the best that technologies can produce.
And today, a less valued and less mantained are left these legacies, which are only sustaining on the mercy of local inhabitants.
The रैंकी in the town of Billawar, Khoon 50kms away from Udhampur are few un noticed and small picnic spots for school children.
My re-visit to one amongst of those thousands bowlis at Ramsar,Ramkot (Billawar) (Kathua,Jammu,J&k) was a little nostalgia and a lot of happiness.
Being born and brought up as a Pahari at Billawar is what has built me close to nature, hills, chambs (शँब in dogri) means waterfalls, bowlis/ baan, khadd, takkis etc.
The natural/clean/fresh water termed amidst the hills of Jammu.
as "Bowli" or "बआँ" in Dogri.
As per the custom, the small kingdoms of a particular region used to furnish up these water bodies for pubilc in order to fulfill their daily water requirements.
If i relate them with the "Harappan civilization" of "public bath", it would be similar upto an extent, where people used to bath and later pray.
A spot of women time together while washing their clothes at these bodies.
Men used to visit after the sun rise while women used to visit before it, in the dark.
These well setted water bodies were accompanied with temples exclusively of Lord Shiva and carved idols of Gods and Goddesses over the walls.
As per "Sanatan" and "Dogra tradition" after the bath, people offer water over the "लिंग" / "linga" of Lord Shiva and the Sun while they pray, fulfilled the relevance of temples and carved idols of God.
These "bowlis / बःआँ" still serve the people as a fresh underground water source, for it is said the water in the mountains is never polluted and is clean.
Of course, when i talk about it, as per my emotional sentiments of being a "Pahari", the water tastes better than any mineralised water or the best that technologies can produce.
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| Leading down via the takki to reach at Ramsar Bowli (Ramkot, Billawar) |
My re-visit to one amongst of those thousands bowlis at Ramsar,Ramkot (Billawar) (Kathua,Jammu,J&k) was a little nostalgia and a lot of happiness.
going through ur article , i visited billwar in my imagination ����
ReplyDeleteThnku so much Dr. Sagarika.
DeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteThankyou arun.
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ReplyDeleteWell put girl
ReplyDeleteThankyou rakshit.
DeleteAwesome content. Would love to see more in future ��
ReplyDeleteSure and thankyou.
DeleteKeep supporting.
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