Other About Joginder Nagar

Facts At A Glance

Built In    In 1925, the enterprising Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi created an elaborate hydel power scheme near the village of Sukrahatti-with was then renamed Joginder nagar (1220 m) after him.
STD Code    +91-1908

Description
The town came into prominence in 1932 when the first hydroelectric project was constructed here. It was the only hydroelectric project in northern India which fed undivided Punjab and Delhi .

The economy of the town got a fillip in 1970 when the Bassi power house was built utilizing the tail water of the Shanan power house. The generation cost at this project is the cheapest in the country.

Soon after the completion of the project the business received a setback with the migration of thousands of workers engaged in the construction.

Jogindernagar is one of the few towns of Himachal Pradesh connected by rail. Jogindernagar is well connected with road and railway line. Once it was the biggest potato market of northern India . At that time the potato growing valleys were not linked by roads. Over 2,000 mules from the Lahaul and Spiti valleys transported potatoes from far-flung areas to Jogindernagar which was the only railhead in this part of the state. Potatoes from Mandi, Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts were brought here for further transportation to West Bengal .

Location
Joginder Nagar Railway Station is the terminus of narrow gauge railway line from Pathankot. This station is managed by the Kangra Valley Railways. It is located about 55 km from Mandi. Traveling through the Palampur-Joginder Nagar rail route is an unforgettable experience. Going north-west, Kangra Railway Station is the main station next to Joginder Nagar (65 km.)
Gaggal Airport is the nearest airport.

Best time to visit
The ideal time for visiting the place is during the months of May to October.

How To Get There By Air

The nearest airports are at GaggI (Kangra) and from the one at Bhuntar near Kullu the distance is 11km.

By Road

Taxis and buses to Jogindernagar are available at all major stations.

By Rail

Jogindernagar is the terminus of the narrow gauge rail track from Pathankot. It is 65 km by road from Kangra and 55 km from Mandi.

Attractions
Baijnath

23 km from Jogindernagar is this exquisite temple where Lord Shiva is worshipeed as Vaidyanath. "The Lord of Physicians". The original temple was built in 804 A.D Here king Ravana is said to have supplicated Lord Shiva for the boon of immortality.

Jhatingri

12 km from Jogindernagar is this enchanting spot atop a hill. Surrounded by a thick deodar forest, the ruins of the summer palace of the Mandi rulers is located here. And the vistas it unfolds are breath taking.

Macchiyal Lake

6 km from the Hotel Uhl is this small but enchanting lake held sacred to Machendru Devta.

Barot

40 km by road from Jogindernagar, and 12 km by the haulage trolley, Barot packs an enormous range of out door activity. The reservoir of the power project is located here, and there is a trout breeding centre-making it a wonderful place for angling. Across the river Uhl is the Nargu wild life sanctuary home to the ghoral, HImalayan black bear and a variety of pheasants.

Bassi Power House

6 km from the hotel, this forms the second phase of the Jogindernagar power generation scheme. It is an attractive picnic spot.

Bir

6 km from the hotel, this forms the second phase of the Jogindernagar power generation scheme. It is an attractive picnic spot.

History
In 1925, the enterprising Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi created an elaborate hydel power scheme near the village of Sukrahatti which was then renamed Joginder Nagar (1220m) after him. After tunneling and piping the water over several kilometers from the river Uhl to Joginder Nagar, the Shanan power house was built by a team of engineers headed by Col. Batty. Later, the HP State Electricity Board added another set of turbines at nearby Bassi.

Joginder Nagar has everything for a quite and relaxing holiday and leaves options open for trekking, fishing, sightseeing, picnics and enjoyable drives in the area.

Railway Track(0 km)

Joginder Nagar is well connected with a narrow gauge railway line, Rail Head of one of the world's still playing narrow gauge train. This railway track was built during 1926-1929 and was opened for transporting raw material for construction of Shanan Power House on April 1st, 1929. This railway line has been nominated for inclusion in UNESCO's cultural heritage list.
Proposals for extending this railway track up to Leh have been made. The proposed 460 km long railway line will pass from Joginder Nagar, Manali, Keylong, Pang and will go up to Leh. There was a steam engine which has been replaced by diesel engine. Jogindernagar-Pathankot is the longest railway line track of Himachal Pradesh.

Geography

Jogindarnagar is located at 31°59′N 76°46′E / 31.98°N 76.77°E / 31.98; 76.77. It has an average elevation of 1,010 metres (3,314 feet).


Climate

In winter the temperature can hover just above freezing point when heavy woolens are required. During summer, the climate is mild and light woolens / cottons are recommended.

Details of Temperature:-
Coldest Month- January or February (Min. Temperature upto -2˚ C)
(Mercury dips down upto -10˚C at nearby mountains)
Hottest Month- May or June (Max. Temperature upto 34˚ C)
Rainiest Month- July or August (more than 60% average rainfall in these months)
Average snowfall at nearby peaks- 200 cm
Annual Average Temperature- 20˚C

Jogindernagar is one of the rainiest places of the state. Tons of rain in monsoon season and reasonable rainfall throughout the year.


Season Details:-
Season Timings Average Temperature Range
Spring - Mid February to late March 12˚ C to 20˚C
Summer - Mid April to late June 16˚ C to 28˚C
Rainy - Late June to late September 18˚ C to 26˚C
Autumn - October to late November 16˚ C to 24˚C
Winter - Late November to mid March 08˚ C to 14˚C 


Topography, Flora & Fauna

Jogindernagar lies in between lower Himalaya and Mid Himalaya. The altitude of Jogindernagar ranges between 900 m to 2800 m. The altitude of the city is 1220 m. The weather and climate remains cool in Winter and mild and warm in summer season. JOGINDER NAGAR lies between two small Himalayan Ranges. In the North-East of city beyond Winch Camp Range lies Nargu Wild Life Sanctuary home to the ghoral, Himalayan black bear, leopard, Monal, kite, eagle, snakes, monkey, kasturi deer, wild cat, nilgai, kakkar and a variety of pheasants covering a total area of 278 sq. kilometers. The sanctuary is the home to various varieties of wild animals, pheasants, lizards and birds. Most of the area of Joginder Nagar is covered with forests, trees and locally grown crops. The nature of water is hard because of coming from high altitude peaks.

Joginder Nagar

he large hydro-electric project in Jogindernagar is a living tribute to man  he has harnessed and tamed the wild and roaring river for his betterment.Here an electric trolley takes the visitor up the steep,rocky face of 2,500 metres-high(8,202 ft) mountain and drops sharply on the other side to Barot,where the reservoir is located.

The railway line  goes up to the power station,the water rushing down from the reservoir at Barot in the Uhl river through penstock pipes going down nearly a thousand metres(3,280 ft). For tourists who go up to Barot by the trolley there is a comfortable rest house of the Electricity department. Barot is a beautiful place, 40 km from Jogindernagar via Ghatasani. A trout breeding centre, makes it a wonderful place for angling. Barot has all the ingredients of a retreat. Jhatingri, 5 km from Ghatasani on Barot road is another beautiful visitable place.

Bassi power station is five kilometres from Jogindernagar and next to it, is Machindar where fishing is not permitted as it is considered a sacred spot, but it is a popular as a feeding spot for fish.

Freedom Struggle 1914 to 1947

The people of the hill also participated in the freedom struggle. The highlights of the freedom movement in this tract are listed below:
Praja Mandal launched agitations against the British yoke in areas under direct British Rule.
In other princely states agitations were launched for social and political reforms. However these were directed more against the princes than against the British and as such were mere extensions of freedom movement.
The Mandi conspiracy was carried out in 1914-15 under the influence of the Gadhr party. Meetings were held in Mandi and Suket states in December 1914 and January 1915 and it was decided to murder the Superintendent and Wazir of Mandi and Suket, to loot the treasury, blow to up the bridge over Beas river. However conspirators were caught and sentenced to long terms in prison.
The Pajhota agitation in which the people of a part of Sirmour state revolted is regarded as an extension of the Quit India Movement of 1942.
Important freedom fighters of this state during this period included Dr. Y.S. Parmar, Padam Dev, Shivanand Ramaul, Purnanand, Satya Dev, Sada Ram Chandel, Daulat Ram, Thakur Hazara Singh and Pahari Gandhi Baba Kanshi Ram.
The Congress party was also active in the freedom movement in the hill state particularly in Kangra.

History of Himachal Pradesh

About 2 million years ago man lived in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh, viz in the Bangana valley of Kangra, Sirsa valley of Nalagarh and Markanda valley of Sirmour. The foothills of the state were inhabited by people from Indus valley civilization which flourished between 2250 and 1750 B.C. People of Indus valley civilization pushed the original inhabitants of Ganga plains who were known as Kolorian people towards north. They moved to the hills of Himachal Pradesh where they could live peacefully and preserve their way of life.

In the Vedas they have been referred to as Dasas, Dasyus and Nishadas while in later works they have been called Kinnars, Nagas and Yakshas. The Kols or Mundas are believed to be the original migrants to the hills of present day Himachal.

The second phase of migrants came in the form of Mongoloid people known as Bhotas and Kiratas. Later on came the third and most important wave of migrants in the form of the Aryans who left their Central Asian home. These laid the base of history and culture of Himachal Pradesh