Surankote (town)

Surankote Swarnkot
Town
Surankote Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India Surankote Surankote (India)
Coordinates:33.64°N 74.25°E/33.64; 74.25
Country	India
Union Territory	Jammu and Kashmir
District	Poonch
Government
•MLA	Vacant
Elevation	1,580 m (5,180 ft)
Languages
• Official	Dogri,English,Hindi,Kashmiri,Urdu
• Spoken	Pahari,Gojri,Kashmiri
Time zone	UTC+5:30(IST)
PIN	185121
Website	poonch.nic.in

Surankote(Urdu pronunciation:[s̪uːɾənˌkoːʈ]) is a town in theSurankote Tehsilof thePoonch districtof theIndianunion territory ofJammu and Kashmir.It occupies the Surankote valley,located between thePir Panjaland ranges within theHimalayas.It receives snowfall in winters. It is famous for the existence of lakes (9 major and few small) on the Pir Panjal range which are not still connected with the outside world.Although some people visit these lakes by foot for recreation and refreshment.

Geography

Surankote township is located at some 27 kilometres to the south-east ofPoonchcity and 221 kilometres from winter capitalJammu.The valley comprises 33 villages. The total projected population of the valley is 124,755 which includesPaharis,Gujjars,Bakerwalsand a visibleKashmiriminority.Twenty-four villages are located on the western slopes of the mainPir Panjal rangewhile 19 villages are found on the slopes of the Rattan Panchal range. The climatic conditions resemble that ofKashmir.Some high peaks of this valley can be seen from Lahore on a very clear day the highest peak isTatakutistanding at 15502 ft. With crystal-clear water, the alpine lakes viz. Sukhsar, Neelsar, Bhagsar, Katorasar, Kaldachnisar and Nandansar, fall in this region. The historical waterfalls,Noori chambfalls in Behramgala of this region. In local dialect the passes, alpine lakes and meadows are called gallies, sars and margs or dhoks respectively. Some of the common dhoks inPoonchare Girjan, Panjtari, Isanwali, Nainsukh, Dharamarg, Pirmarg and Sarimastan etc.

Demographics

Religion in Surnakote (2011)

Islam(86.55%)

Hinduism(11.94%)

Sikhism(0.93%)

Christianity(0.40%)

Jainism(0.01%)

Not Stated (0.16%)

As of the 2011 census Surankot has a population of 8,892. Males constitute 53% of the population while females form 47% share. The average literacy is 73%.

Islam is followed by almost 86% population. Paharis are an agricultural tribe and are estimated to be the largest community living in Surankote.

Tourist attractions

Noori Chamb

Noori Chamb associated with the name of Mughal QueenNur Jahanis known for its waterfall. It is situated near Behram Galla in Surankote Tehsil about 45 kilometres from Poonch town. The fall of the stream gives rise to dense clouds of water vapours which engulfs the area & spread all over. The EmperorJahangirhad developed so much fancy & liking for this fall that he named it Noori Chamb after the name of his beloved queenNur Jahan.Mughal queen used to stay here for relaxation. She had got fixed a mirror beside the fall on the mountain wall where she used to have her make-up after the bath.Many locals callNoori Chamba milky waterfall, due to the white-coloured vapours formed during descending.

Peer Ki Gali

Peer ki Gali is a holy place situated between two villages, Poshana and Heer Pur, along Mughal road. Peer ki Gali is likely to be called the heart of the Mughal road. The namePeer Ki Galihas some auspicious relevance as the word 'peer' means a person devoted to religion, as per the Muslim faith. The history of this place dates back to the time of a holy and religiously elevated person named as Alamdar-e-Kashmir, Sheikh Noor-u-Din Noorani (RA) (1378 to 1441).

Transport

Road

Surankote is well-connected by road to other places in Jammu and Kashmir and India by theNH 144A.

Rail

Surankote is not connected with railways. The nearest railway station isJammu Tawi railway stationlocated at a distance of 208 kilometres.

Air

The nearest airport isJammu Airportlocated at a distance of 210 kilometres.

See also

• Jammu and Kashmir
• Poonch