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All India Bhaderwah Wooden Bridges of Bhaderwah
AO Edited

Wooden Bridges of Bhaderwah

These bridges were designed to guide the soul on its spiritual journey to heaven.

Bhaderwah, India

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Pallavi Sareen
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Wooden Bridge at Monda just 5km from Bhaderwah town.   Courtesy Mansoor Qadir
Butla foot bridge   Courtesy Mansoor Qadir
View of Bhaderwah town.   Courtesy Mansoor Qadir
Wooden bridge in the memory of Late Ram Rattan Katoch at lower Dranga.   Courtesy Mansoor Qadir
Wood foot bridge in the memory of Late Dewan Raj at village Hanga about 12km from Bhaderwah.   Courtesy Mansoor Qadir
Bridge in the memory of Late Ram Rattan Katoch at lower Dranga in Bhaderwah.   Courtesy Mansoor Qadir
Panoramic view of wooden bridge over a running stream in Bhaderwah.   Courtesy Mansoor Qadir
Make-shift bridge constructed in 2015 in Bhaderwah, India.   Courtesy Mansoor Qadir
Monda Foot bridge in dire need of maintenance.   Courtesy Mansoor Qadir
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Walking on a wooden Bridge in Bhaderwah, with bewitching views of the majestic Himalayas, is an otherworldly experience. The rustic charm of these bridges is rooted in the religious belief that they are actually pathways for a soul’s journey to heaven. 

Bhaderwah, a remote Indian tourist destination also known as “mini-Kashmir” for its landscape vistas is surrounded by unparalleled snowclad mountains, singing rivulets, along with plum, apple, and peach orchards. Amid this glorious spectacle lie hundreds of old and new bridges constructed as part of funeral rites to facilitate travel to remote areas on earthly planes and “otherworldly travels of the deceased.”  

Krishan Dev, a priest belonging to the Sanatana Dharma (religious sect) living in Bhaderwah says, it has been a tradition since the time of his grandfather’s era and perhaps even older to build a wooden bridge over a stream or a nallah by the kin of the deceased. Earlier construction of bridges consisted of a simple wooden plank covering a stream-slashed corner. Today, artistically designed bridges embellish the valley and have become a vantage point for capturing panoramic views. 

The newly constructed bridges are sturdy and sometimes contain a stone with the person's name for who the bridge was designed. There are countless nameless bridges around the region that have existed for decades, despite being in dire need of maintenance, look timeless in the pristine setting of dawn and dusk. 

These bridges according to Singh are less commemorative and more obligatory. Singh calls it, “a way to ensure the soul of the deceased can cross tough terrains to reach heaven.”

The youngsters of the valley have a different viewpoint, as they view the bridges as a positive use of natural resources rather than solely as an object of divinity. These wooden bridges fulfill the religious obligations towards the deceased, while connecting remote areas. They also allow Bhaderwah to retain its distinctive character of unparalleled natural beauty. 

Cradled in the midst of magnificent Himalayas, overlooking vast expanses of alpine vegetation, this valley with deodar and kail forests is home to hundreds of bridges marking the presence of those who have begun their spiritual journey. 

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Bridges Religion History & Culture Sacred Spaces

Know Before You Go

The bridges are located throughout the town. The GPS coordinates for this entry will take you to the heart of Bhaderwa. 

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pallavisareen

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jonathancarey

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Published

June 17, 2021

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Wooden Bridges of Bhaderwah
Bhaderwah, 182222
India
32.981127, 75.711405

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