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About Charar-I-Sharief

Charar-I-Sharief


Charar-I-Sharief is a small town located in the in the southern part of Charar-I-Sharief district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.  It is situated at a distance of 24.3 Km from district headquarters Charar-I-Sharief and 28.7 Km from the state capital Srinagar. The town is also a major Muslim pilgrimage centre and that is why one finds stream of visitors descending at this small town throughout the year.

Why Visit Charar-I-Sharief

Just as in anywhere else in Kashmir, Charar-I-Sharief also possesses a unique beauty. However, visitors mainly come here to visit the 600 years old tomb of Sheikh Noor-u-din Noorani, who was a great Sufi saint of that era. To his disciples he was known as Alamdar-e-Kashmir, or the Flag Bearer of Kashmir. Just like any other Sufi saint, he preached Islam through verses and was adored by both Muslims and Hndus.

The Tomb of Sheikh Noor-u-din Noorani

The Dargah of Sheikh Noor-u-din Noorani

As we have already said, the tomb of Sheikh Noor-u-din Noorani is a major Muslim pilgrimage centre and a general tourist attraction in Chara-I-Sharief. The land, on which the tomb stands, originally belonged to Sangram Dar, a disciple of the great saint.  He constructed a mosque on this land and it was here that the Sufi saint said his Friday prayers. Later it was turned into his Dargah. There is an interesting story about this.

It is said that after the death of the saint, his coffin flew a certain distance and descended on this particular site.  The saint was laid to rest there and since then it has been a sacred site for every Kashmiri, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.  

The structure is inclusive of a khanqah. Incidentally, a khanqah is a building designed exclusively for a gathering of Sufi brotherhood. This particular khanqah used to hold 600 years old Persian and Kashmiri carpets and some antique copies of the holy Quran.  The cut glass chandlers in this building were also extremely precious. However, all these were reduced to ashes during a fierce encounter between the Indian security forces and the terrorists on 11th April, 1995. The shrine has been rebuilt after that. However, the khanqah is still to be construction.

History of Charar-I- Sharief

Charar-I-Sharief Today

The town of Charar-I-Shariefhas has a rich history. Initially, the area was known as Tsrarvan. While Tsrar is a Kasmiri word meaning chosen, Van means dense forest. Indeed, the area was exactly that when Sheikh Noor-u-din Noorani chose this secluded spot as his center. However, he did not want to beg for the land, which actually belonged to one Durupta Sher. Fortunately, the forest and a part of the pasture land belonged to the saint’s disciple, Sangram Dar.  Here he built a mosque and a few huts for the saint and his other disciples.

Soon a spiritual settlement came up in Tsrarvan. As it enlarged people began to call it just Tsrar; the suffix Van, meaning forest was soon dropped. However, the foreign rulers found it difficult to pronounce Tsrar and gradually it became Charar. By and by a township began to come up around this shrine. What began as a spiritual centre of a Sufi saint in 1439 AD eventually turned into a modern town. 

Charar-I-Shrief in 1995

1995 has been a tragic year for Charar-I-Sharief. In that year, a fierce battle took place between Indian troops and the terrorists in Charar-I-Sharief and the entire town was almost destroyed in that. Official figures quote that an approximately 31 houses and shops were burned down in that encounter.  However, the authorities were quick to grant the town a relief package of Rupees 31 crores.  The Union Government of India sanctioned Rupees 16 crores, while the State Government provided Rupees 15 crores. Soon enough the town was rebuilt with that. There is also a plan to develop it into a Model Town.  However, it is yet to be turned into reality.

Geography of Charar-I- Sharief

The Terrain in Charar-I-Sharief

Charar-I-Sharief is located at 33.8700° N Latitude and 74.7700° E Longitude at an average elevation of 1933 meters above the sea level.  The region has a hilly terrain; but the land here is fertile. There is no major river located in the vicinity. However, this has been amply compensated by wells, tanks, canals and springs located in different parts of the district. Many of these have however, been established by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. 

Climatic condition of Charar-I-Sharief

Charar-I- Sharief has a cold winter and a mild summer.  The minimum temperatures during the months of December and January can dip to minus 5 to minus 7 degree Celsius.  However, the summers are indeed pleasant and that is why people tend to visit the place during that period.  

Business and Economy in Charar-I- Sharief

Economy of the town depends mainly upon three important sectors; i.e., tourism, agriculture and handicraft. Let us next look into them one by one.

Tourism Industry in Charar-I-Sharief

Since the town is a major centre of pilgrimage, it receives a steady stream of tourists round the year. Consequently, tourism has now become one of the main sources of income in this town. It now has a well developed hospitality industry to cater to those travelers who drop in to pay homage at the Dargah of Sheikh Noor-u-din Noorani.

Agriculture and its Allied Sector

In an Apple Orchard

In addition, the town is surrounded by a rural belt; agriculture and horticulture is the mainstay of economy there. Farmers around the town grow different types of crops such as maize, wheat, pulses, oil seed and vegetables such as potato, tomato, brinjal, kale, knol-khal, chilies, bottle gourd, carrot, radish, turnip, cucumber, spinach, coriander, methi etc.

Of late, farmers in the Charar-I-Sahrief tehsil have also started growing saffron in their fields. The area is also well developed in horticulture. Apricot, apple, almonds, pea nut, peach, plum are the main fruits grown here.

Art and Handicraft in Charar-I-Sharief

Many people in and around Charar-I- Sharief also earn their living through handicraft. Pottery making, kangri making, namdah making, carpet weaving and embroidery work are some of the principal handicrafts, which contribute significantly to the economy of the town. Kangris made in Charar-I-Sharief is famous all over Kashmir for their durability and craftsmanship. Suzni and Crewal work done in this region is also adored by many.

Administration in Charar-I-Sharief

Charar-I-Sharief is a tehsil headquarters under Charar-I-Sharief District. In January 2014 the town has also been given block status.  While the Deputy Commissioner is the senior most official in the district, the town and its adjoining villages are directly administered by the Tehsildar. In case of emergency you can talk to the DC at the following numbers:
Office No:  01951-255-203, 01951-255-204
Residential Phone No: 01951-255-668, 01951-255-374

Municipal Committee in Charar-I-Sharief 

Charar-I-Sharief also has a municipal council for providing civic amenities to the residents. For better administration, the town has been divided into ten wards.  Each ward has its own elected municipal councilor.

The function of the municipal committee in Charar- I- Sharief is quite similar to any other municipal committee in the country. It is entrusted with the responsibility of providing basic amenities such as clean drinking water and sewage to the township. Repair of roads, registration of birth and death, collection of taxes etc are also their responsibility.

About the Citizens of Charar-I-Sharief

Cricket Team of Charar-I-Sharief

According to the 2011 census, Charar-I-Sharief has 53% male population while female population stands at 47%. The general literacy rate of the town is 59%. It is slightly lower than the national average of 59.5%. The male literacy rate stands at an acceptable 62% while the female literacy rate stands at 38%.

Localities in Charar-I- Sharief

The township may be small; but there are many colorful localities in the region. Some of the prominent mohallas in Charar-I-Sharief are Talab-e-kalan, Bada Talab, Alamdar Colony, Gulshan Abad, Nowhar. The Court Road is also another important road in the town. 

Emergency Services in Charar-I- Sharief

In any kind of emergency the police force is first to come forward. In Charar-I-Sharief, the force works under the guidance of Sub Divisional Police Officer posted locally. He in turn is accountable to the Senior Superintendent of Police posted at district headquarters Charar-I-Sharief.  Following are some important phone numbers one should take note of. 

Important Police Phone Number

Sub Divisional Police Officer/SDPO at Charar-I-Sharief: 01951-243-407
Station House Office/SHO at Charar-I-Sharief: 01951-243-223 (O), 01951-243-244®
Senior Superintendent of Police posted at Charar-I-Sharief: 01951-255-240 (O); 01951-255-241
 

Fire Station in Charar-I-Sharief

Fire Station is located at Alamadar Colony. It has a modern fire appliance and two pumps. In case of emergency one may contact them at 01951-253-534.  

Bank in Charar-I-Sharief

Jammu and Kashmir Bank

Jammu and Kashmir Bank
is the main bank in Charar-I-Sharief. Following are some details about the bank:
IFSC Code: JAKA0ALNOOR
Contact No: 01951-243226
Toll Free Number:  1800220600
Email: alnoor@jkbmail.com
It is a non-MICR bank.

How to Reach Charar-I-Sharief

Charar-I-Sharief is located on the road that leads to Yusmarg from Srinagar. Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation runs regular bus service on this route. Besides, you can also avail private buses as well as taxis to reach Charar-I-Sharief from Srinagar. If you are using your own transport you may take Nagam Charar-i-Sharief Alt Road that runs from Srinagar to Charar-I-Sharief; it goes via Charar-I-Sharief and so you may also stop there to visit its ancient temples.

Facts about Charar-I-Sharief

District: Budgam
State: Jammu and Kashmir
Assembly Constituency:  Charar-i-Sahrief
Lok Sabha Constituency: Srinagar
Pin Code: 191112
STD Code: 01951

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