Nawanshahr district General information
Nawanshahr district was carved out of Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar districts of Punjab in November 7, 1995 on the auspicious occasion of birthday of Sh. Guru Nanak Dev Ji as the sixteenth district of Punjab State.
Hon'ble Chief Minister, Punjab S. Parkash Singh Badal on 27/09/2008, while addressing a state level rally at Khatkar Kalan, the native village of Shahid-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh on the occasion of national level function to conclude the Birth Centenary celebrations of the great martyr made the announcement of changing the name of district from Nawanshahr to "Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar". Notification
(No. 19/7/07-LR-IV/7929) to this effect was issued on 29/09/2008.
The district headquarter town Nawanshahr is said to have been built during the reign of Alaudin Khilji (1295-1316) by his Afgan Military Chief Nausher Khan. Previously it was called "Nausar" but with the passage of time, the town came to be known "The Nawanshahr". Nausher Khan had constructed five forts known as Havelis, whose remains still exist.
People of this district are economically sound. Large numbers of families from the district have settled in countries like Canada, UK, and USA etc. Consequently huge remittance is being received by their kith and kin back in India which contribute to the economic development and prosperity of the district.
All the towns and the villages are well connected by roads. Nawanshahr has also rail track connecting it with Jalandhar, Rahon and Jaijon. District enjoys the rare honour of being the native village of Shahid Bhagat Singh whose ancestral village Khatkar Kalan falls in it.
Location
Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar district is situated in 31.8• N and 76.7• E part of Punjab on the right bank of mighty river Sutlej. The Distance of State capital Chandigarh (Known as the most beautiful and planned city of India) from the district is of ~92 Kms. Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar District is surrounded by four districts. The west border of the district touches Jalandhar, east border touches with RoopNagar (Ropar) district, the northern border of the district meets with district Hoshiarpur and in south it touches with Ludhiana (known as the Manchester of India) and Kapurthala District.
Area and Population
The Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar district is one of the smaller districts of Punjab and is having an area of 125833 hectares consisting of population of 586637 as per 2001 census (provisional). The land of District Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar is fertile due to the presence of river Sutlej and irrigated through tubewells and canals except some part of the Balachaur sub-division falling in Kandi Area.
Rainfall
The average annual rainfall in the district is 70 cm. The rainfall in the district in general increases from the south-west towards the north-east. About 70 % of the annual normal rainfall in the district is received during the period July to September, July being the rainiest month. Some rainfall is received mostly as thunder showers in June and in association with passing western disturbances in the cold season. The variation in the rainfall from year to year in the district is appreciable. In the 80 year, 1901 to 1980, the highest annual rainfall amounting to 181 %of the normal occurred in 1917. The lowest annual rainfall which was 55 %of the normal occurred in the year 1905. In the same period, the annual rainfall in the district was less than 80 per cent of the normal in 22 years.
On an average, there are 36 rainy days (i.e. days with rainfall of 2.5 mm or more) in a year in the district. The heaviest rainfall in 24 hours recorded at any station in the district was 30mm.
Temperature
After February, temperature begin to rise rapidly. June is generally the hottest month with the mean daily temperature at about 41•C and the mean daily minimum at about 27•C. Scorching dust laden winds blow on many days in the summer season and the day temperatures on individual days may reach above 45•C. Afternoon thundershowers which occur on some days during the summer bring welcome relief though only temporarily. With the onset of monsoon by about the end of June or early in July, the day temperature drop down appreciably. But the nights continue to be a warm during the summer. Due to increase moisture in the monsoon air, the weather is often sultry and uncomfortable, in between these rains. After about mid-September when the monsoon withdraws temperatures decrease, the drop in the night temperature being rapid. January is generally the coldest month with the mean daily maximum temperature at about 19•Cand the mean daily minimum at about 6•C.
Humidity
During the brief south-west monsoon months and for spells of a day or two in association with the passing western disturbances high humidity prevails in the district. In the rest of the year, the humidity is low. The driest part of the year is the summer season when in the afternoons the relative humidity is 30 %or less.
Cloudiness
The skies are heavily clouded and over cast on a few days during the south-west monsoon and for spells of a day or two in association with passing western disturbances during the cold season. During the rest of the year, the skies are mostly clear or lightly clouded.
Winds
Winds are generally light in the district. In the south-west monsoon season, winds from direction, between north-east and south-east, are common but on many days in the afternoons westerly to north-westerly winds predominate, except in the latter half of summer, when easterlies and south easterlies blow on some days.
Places of interest
Gurudwara NanakSar, Hakimpur
This Gurudwara is situated at village Hakimpur of tehsil Banga district Nawanshahr which is at 5 Km south from Bahiram railway Station and two yards towards east from village Hakimpur. Guru Hari Rai Sahib ji rested here for few days while he was going from Kartarpur to Kiratpur Sahib. Peepal and Neem trees where Guru ji’s horses were knotted, exists presently. "Mahan Kosh", written by Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha at page 692 states "Beautiful Gurudwara has been built. This Gurudwara was build by Maharaja Ranjit Singh also know as the "Lion of Punjab". A Sikh is a priest. There is a beautiful pond at the eastern part of Gurudwara." Which has now been disposed off and new pond has been build at the western part of Gurudwara. Gurudwara has neither any property nor any wealth to his name. This has also been said that Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji came at this place.
The book "Yatra Asthan, Parampara Te Yaad Chinh" written by Famous laureate Dr. Fauja Singh ji states that Shri. Guru Nanak Dev Ji rested here for three days.Guru. Hari Rai Ji, Guru Teg Bahadur Ji often came at this place from village Chak Guru. The last doings of wife of Baba Banda Bahadur has been done at this noble place. There has been a mausoleum for her remembrance. But because of the construction of the new building of the Gurudwara, that mausoleum has been disposed off. Birth of the elder son of Guru Hari Rai ji has taken place at this Gurudwara Sahib.
Gurudwara Charan Kanwal (Jeendowali)
Gurudwara Charan Kanwal was made by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the memory of sixth Guru Hargobind Singh Ji. After his last battle in which Guru Ji killed Pende Khan, Guru Ji came here and gave the blessing of milk to a zamindaar, Jeeva. The village was named after him as Jeendowal. There is a big pool in front of the Gurudwara which was built by the daughter of Sardar Dhanna Singh and the building of langar was made by Bhai Seva Singh. The management of the Gurudwara is in the hands of SGPC.
Gurudwara Gurpalah (Sotran)
According to the Mahan Kosh’s Page No. 418, 6th Sikh Guru stayed here for some days. A fair is held here in the month of July every year. After his last battle Guru Ji came here when he was going towards Kiratpur Sahib. The well from where Guru Ji drank water is still here.
Gurudwara Gurpartap
One kilometer towards the west there is a village of Thana Behram named Chak Guru and Gurudwara Gurpartap is situated here. Guru Teg Bhadur is said to have visited this place and seeing the shortage of drinking water he got a well dug here. Maharaja Ranjit Singh gave the land of the village to this Gurudwara.
Gurudwara Har Rai Danda Sahib Sandhwaan Farala
It is said that Guru Har Rai Stayed here for few days when he was going towards Kiratpur Sahib in 1713.
Gurudwara Shahidaan Urapar
In 1711 a battle was fought by Banda Bahadur at Rahon and the sikh soldiers who got martyrdom were cremated here.
Gurudwara Shahidganj Talwandi Jattan
At this place in 1767 a battle was fought by Godria Singh, Lodria Singh and Roop Kaur against subedar Shamas Khan. He had abducted a girl from BEhram. The sikh soldiers who got martyrdom were cremated here.
Gurudwara Tahli Sahib Nawanshahr
This Gurudwara is situated at a distance of furlong from Gharhshankar road in Nawanshahr. This Gurudwara is made in the memory of Baba Shri Chand, the elder son of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji. It is said that Baba Shri Chand stayed here for 40 days and meditated here. Every year the birthday of Baba Shri Chand is celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Gurudwara Manji Sahib Nawanshahr
Guru Teg Bhadur Ji stayed here while going towards Kiratpur Sahib. Mata Gujri, Balaki Rai, Bhai Mati Das were also with him.
Gurudwara Bhai Sikh Hiyala
In village Hiyala situated in the lap of Nawanshahr there is beautiful Gurudwara named "Baba Bhai Sikh". At this place a big fair is held very year on and a day after Dussehra. According to a myth Baba Bhai Sikh was a native of village Jhingran. Then he started living here. He used to graze cattle. Along with his work he used to meditate and give spiritual discourse to the people. According to him "To serve humanity is the greatest worship of God". The place where Gurudwara is built used to be the residence of Baba Bhai Sikh.
Proposed Model
Gurudwara Singh Sabha Nawanshahr
Gurudwara Singh Sabha was built in 1928. In 1914 railway station came into existence, foodgrain market was established. Bhucher family made an inn here. But there was no arrangement of the food for the passengers there. There was no Gurudwara in the city.
A committee was made to purchase the land for the Gurudwara. It had 25 members. This committee bought the land and the construction of Gurudwara started . After Jaswant Singh, Jagjit Singh Bajwa, Fauja Singh, Major Singh and Thakur Singh became the chairman of this committee.
Some 23 years ago when people were satisfied with the working of the old committee. A five member board was created. Its member include Joginder Singh, Mohinder Singh Bajaj, Saroop Singh Urapar and Harcharan Singh Mahajan. This committee has done a lot of work which is quite appreciable. More land was purchased a school was built, Langar Khana, residential rooms, office and a hall of 3600 feet was built by the new board.
Suraj Kund Rahon
In Rahon there is a old Sarovar (Pool) and a temple Suraj Kund. It is situated in the south direction. According to a myth in all over India there are only two and a half kunds, from which one is in Rahon, half in Haridwar and one in Nasik. All these Kunds are related with Shri Ram Chander Ji.
Roza Sharif Mandali
At Mandali there is a Roza of Abdulla Shah Kadri, one of the eight sons of a muslim Saint Gospaal. This roza was built by Baba Abdulla Shah Kadri when he was alive. According to a myth the train did not use to stop in Kultham. With the miracle of Baba Abdulla Shah Kadri the train started stopping here. That is why railway station is named after him as "Baba Abdulla Shah Kadri Railway Station Kultham". After Baba Abdulla Shah the roza was looked after by Fateh Shah, Baba Gulami Shah, Data Ali Ahmed Sambha, Shah Kadri, Baba Nur Shah. Now a days it is looked after by Sai Bhajan Shah Kadri. A fair is held every year in the month of June – July. All the famous Quawwals and Ghazal artist think it must to come here on this fair.
Baba Balraj Temple Balachaur
In 16th century Baba Raj Dev, who was related with the king of Jaipur's family came here and started meditating here. After his death his son got made a temple here in his memory in 1596. In 1534 when Himayun and Sher Shah Suri were going to fight Sher Shah Suri came here to seek Baba Raj Dev's blessing.
Kirpal Sagar
In village Dariapur near rahon , Kirpal Sagar is built as a sign of human unity. At this place the worship place of four religions ( HINDU, MUSLIM, SIKH, CHRISTIAN) are made at the four corners of an egg shaped pool. In between a pyramid, a common symbol of four religions is under construction.
Shivala Banna Mall
This SHIVALA is as old as the history of Nawanshahr. It is situated next to the office of Municipal Corporation Nawanshahr. This SHIVALA was made by the Chief Minister of Maharaja Kapurthala, Banna Mall. He also made here a temple and a hospital.
At that time there were no trains and motor cars, people used to travel on foot or on a bullock cart. Deewan Banna Mall used to come to Nawanshahr on an elephant that is why the main gate of the hospital is so big. Free food was given to the people coming to this hospital. Now a days this SHIVALA is looked after by a committee. All the relatives of Banna Mall have gone from here.
Nabh Kanwal
Gurudwara of Shri Raja Sahib Nabh Kanwal is at (Nau-Abad) Majara Raja Sahib . Religious places associated with it are also at village Jhingran and Rehpa. There are beautiful building of Gurudwara in these villages.
Sanehi Temple Nawanshahr
The foundation of Sanehi Mandir was laid on 18 December 1869 by Pandit Nihal Chand Gautam, Pandit Mool Raj Gautam, Pandit Shri Kant Gautam, Engineer and Pandit Indu Dutt Gautam. This temple was made in six years. 18665 Rs. Were spent to built this temple. This temple was inaugurated on 15 December 1865 under the observation of Pandit Vishwanath, Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar and eleven pandits were invited from Banaras for the religious ceremonies.
The idol of Mata Chintpoorni was brought from Jaipur. After seeing the delaying condition of this 120 years old temple the committee named "Sanehi Sankirtan Mandal" was created by some responsible people of the city and some social workers also included in it. With the efforts of this committee the condition of the temple is improved. Now marriages of poor girls are performed every year in this temple and dowry is also given to them by the organizers of the committee.