Billawar
|
Billawar sukrala |
|
|---|---|
| city | |
| Nickname(s): Balore, billawer | |
 Billawar
Billawar
|
|
| Coordinates: 32°37′N 75°37′E / 32.62°N 75.62°ECoordinates: 32°37′N 75°37′E / 32.62°N 75.62°E | |
| Country |
 India
|
| State | Jammu and Kashmir |
| District | Kathua |
| Government | |
| • MLA | |
| Elevation | 844 m (2,769 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 111,916 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Urdu |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 184204 |
| Vehicle registration | JK08 |
Billawar is a town and a notified area committee in Kathua district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Billawar is also a tehsil. It is also known as Balaur. Billawar was founded by Raja Bhog Pal in 7th century A.D and it remained the capital of Basohli Rajas. The descendants of the Royal family are known as "Billawaria, Baloria, Balouria or Billauria" and chandel all being the modern day spelling variants. The town has some ancient monuments. One of these is Mahabilvakeshwar Temple, one of the most revered Shiva temples of the area. It was known as Hari Hara Temple.
Billawar is located at 32°37′N 75°37′E / 32.62°N 75.62°E. It has an average elevation of 844 m (2,769 ft). Billawar town is situated in the lap of Shiwalik mountains between the banks of Naj and Bhini rivulets approximately 70 km from Dayala Chak on Delhi-Jammu NH-1A. Local places of importance include Sukrala Devi Temple and an ancient Shiva temple. This place is of historical importance as it was the headquarters of the Billawaria kings.
According to one belief, Pandavas visited Billawar in the last year of their exile and were attracted by Bael or Bilwa trees abundant in the region. The Temple Mahabilwakeshwar was built where Pandavas had worshipped. In Billawar there is an ancient Hanuman's statue built on a rock in the river Naj . According to Dr Sukhdev Singh Charak, Billawar-Basohli was one of the three parent/ original states of the Duggar Group along with Jammu and Poonch.
As of 2011[update] India census, 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 of 78% and female literacy of 58%. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. The old name of Billawar is 'Vilawara'. The major religions of this area are Hinduism 88.21% and Islam 9.68%. While some Sikh and Christian communities are also present in small numbers.
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Wikipedia