Noori Chamb: The Milky Waterfall built by Pandavas’
Jammu, July 06: Noori Chamb, the milky waterfall, believed to be built by Pandavas, is one of the popular tourist places of Jammu division visited by hundreds of tourists to enjoy the sheer beauty of nature in its pristine glory and immerse themselves into the royal history of Emperor Jehangir and his beloved wife Noor Jahan.
The historic waterfall about 45 kms from Poonch city on Surankote road (Mughal Road), quite adjacent to Behramgala village in the Panjsaran valley in the foot hills of Pir Panjal range at an elevation of 3480m is considered as Aharbal of Jammu division.
According to the legend the waterfall in the village Panjsaran was built by Pandavas during their exile period when they were living in this area. The legend says that the Pandavas diverted the water of Lucksar and Kolsar lakes towards this point to make a windmill and also cut the stone for the same purpose. However they could not use the watermill as they left the village soon after.
The second historic visit to this place recorded is that of Mughal Emperoro Jehangir who used to halt his carvan at this place and his beloved Queen Noor Jehan enjoyed bathing in the drizzling water. A frame was carved out in the stone to fix a mirror for the royal romantic couple.
The waterfall is believed to be about 100 feet high in those days but in the course of time the water has cut the stones and reduced the height to around 75 feet.
It is said that Mughal Emperor named the place after his beloved queen Noor Jehan as Noori Abshar which later became as Noori Chamb as reports indicate that Chamb in the local dialect means waterfall.
The waterfall has become a major attraction for tourists from the state and across India to get respite from the summer heat and enjoy the nature in its purest form as some of the peaks around this waterfall remain covered with snow throughout the year. Its southern side is surrounded by the beautiful forests of fir and deodars.
According to Prof. R.D. Gupta, the main sources of “Noorichamb” water are Lucksar and Kolsar lakes. The lakes are located at an altitude of 3900 m near Panjtari marg in Pir Panjal mountain range. The water of these lakes flows down in the form of a stream, which passes through the forest range of Hassanthamb. This stream after falling from a height of about 27 m, takes the form of waterfall near Behramgala village. The water of whole of this stream converts into the milky water vapours, gives lot of pleasures to the tourists/villagers. It, as a consequence, allures them to visit the “Noorichamb” waterfall. This is the reason, why now a number of tourists come to visit this place not only from Rajouri and Poonch districts but also from other districts of the State. Visitors from outside the State also come to have a view of this waterfall and its beautiful natural surroundings.
Prof Gupta further writes that after the visit of Pandavas, this waterfall remained without any name for centuries. The place again came in limelight during the reign of Emperor Jahangir, who used to stay here, while he was travelling to Kashmir and stayed thirteen times at this spot. When he visited this place for the first time, he was so much impressed with the beauty of this natural waterfall that he named it as “Noorchamb” in the name of his queen, Noor Jahan. With the passage of time, its name changed from “Noorchamb” to “Noorichamb”. It is worthwhile to mention that some elders of nearby villages still call this waterfall as Noor Jahan or Noorchamb.
In Tuzike-e-Jahangir, Emperor Jahangir has described that there used to be a lot of joy and happiness among the local people when the royal caravan used to reach here. They raised slogans with beating drums and singing of shainai.
The demise of Emperor Jahangir closed the chapter of the glory of Noorichamb waterfall. However, with the opening and running of the Mughal road, the hustle and bustle of this waterfall has started once again.
The Mughal Road circuit is in itself a famous tourist circuit which is slowly getting revived after the opening of Mughal road but the bad condition of the road and not being an all weather road is hampering the tourist influx that could otherwise change the scene in Rajouri and Poonch areas.
Apart from Noori Chamb there are many other tourist spots which are already famous but need propagation afresh to revive the defunct tourism industry of Jammu division. (Compiled with inputs from various websites)