Beauty of Sunderbani

There is an ancient temple known as Channi Parat Temple existing near the old deserted township, Channi Parat. It is a two storey temple, unique in its construction in the area and resembling the architecture of those temples which were constructed during Maharaja Partap Singh's time in Jammu and Kashmir.

In 1980, Sunderbani emerged as a new tehsil. Sunderbani comprises 42 villages and it is the smallest tehsil of district Rajouri in the area. Presently, the area of tehsil is 82401 acres and population is about 42000. Sunderbani is a beautiful town surrounded by the mountains and forests of pine trees.

During 1947-48 AD when the Indian army started operation for liberation of Rajouri they constructed a motorable road from Jammu towards Rajouri firstly via Seri and then via Thanda Pani. This high way was not touching the Channi Parat township but was passing through the village Bhajwal (present Sunderbani). In these circumstances, this township vanished and the original habitants left the idea of settling again in this township.

With the opening of new road from Jammu to Rajouri and Poonch during 1947-48 there was a need of a station between Rajouri and Jammu where the passengers could relax and (Bhajwal) present Sunderbani was the right choice for the purpose.

After 1947, Sunderbani remained the headquarter of tehsil Nowshera for some time, later on, the headquarter was shifted to Nowshera and Sunderbani became the Niabat Headquarter. Before 1947, this area was a part of Bhimber tehsil.

Before 1947, there was no place under the name of Sunderbani. Present Sunderbani area was known as 'Bhajwal Jagir'. The area of present township was un-inhabited and there was nothing except bushes. Only one haveli of Rai Ghulam Hussain, the Jagirdar of the area was existing on a mound which was known as Phulwari located on the upper side of present Sunderbani.

Rai Ghulam Hussain the Jagirdar of Bhajwal belonged to the royal family of Jaral Raja of Rajouri. Rai Ghulam Hussain was a very respectable person, even Maharaja Hari Singh was giving him full honour. Maharaja had invited him to Srinagar a number of times and kept him as a state guest. He was also given a seat in the Kashmir darbar by Maharaja Hari Singh. In response to the Maharaja's kind behaviour, Rai Ghulam Hussain was every time presenting a horse to his highness whenever he was visiting Srinagar. Maharja Hari Singh had also designated him as the Magistrate of Bhajwal jagir and he was empowered to fine upto Rs. 50/- apart from settling other normal cases. He was conducting courts/kachahries also in a open ground near present forest office Sunderbani.

After 1947 a number of migrants from Pak occupied Kashmir especially from southern Poonch area came here and constructed their huts at this very place which was vacant at that time and belonged to no body because Rai Ghulam Hussain had already left for Pakistan. On the other hand, when the Jammu-Poonch road was opened, this place became the central place between Rajouri and Jammu and a need arose for tea-stalls and shops for the passengers where fast food could be available. To meet this requirement, a local habitant Pt. Sita Ram constructed a small hut near present Bus Stand and started tea-stall as well as a grocery shop. Initially, this shop remained catering to the needs of passengers and the migrants who had settled in this hamlet. By this way, the other people also got encouraged and started their shops, dhabas, tea-stalls, dawakhanas etc and so a small township emerged. Then the buses started stopping at this very place for the refreshment of the passengers. At that time, there was a spring located near the township know as 'Sunderbani'. Therefore, Pt. Sita Ram and other habitants decided to call this place as Sunderbani were the present t township is existing and so this name started getting popular day by day. Later on, this name was adopted in the official records also and now no body knows about the original name of the area.

Before 1947, there was another township near Sunderbani under the name of Channi Parat which was 15kms from this township on the northern side. But now there are only ruins at site and the township has disappeared. It is said that this township was known as 'Prat'. This was a small township consisting of 75 houses and 45 shops mostly of Gold Smiths, Grocery, Shoe Makers etc and there was a Sarafa Bazar also. It was a Niabat Headquarter. A primary school, a Gurudwara, a mosque and a historic temple Channi Prat was existing in the township. This township was linked to Reasi with a Kachha road. Basically, the meaning of Parat is the mound of stone or a place which is having more stones than the clay.

The township was located on a mound and on elevated place from where during the night time, the moon was appearing in a very attractive appearance. Therefore, the people annexed the word 'Channi' with the name of 'Parat' and the township was known as 'Channi Parat'.

There was a great hustle bustle in this township before 1947 because this was the only township in between Jammu, Rajouri and Reasi where the traders and other passengers were halting for a night while going to Jammu, Reasi or Rajouri. By this way, this place was the camping station for the travelers also. But during the happening of 1947, the original habitants i.e. the business community of this township was threatened and attacked by the infiltrators, therefore, the habitants of the township were compelled to leave their native place and they migrated to the safer zones because this township was surrounded by the forests from all the sides and there was a security threat to the people during 1947-48.

There is an ancient temple known as Channi Parat Temple existing near the old deserted township Channi Parat. It is a two storey temple, unique in its construction in the area and resembling the architecture of those temples which were constructed during Maharaja Partap Singh's time in Jammu and Kashmir. It is said that a Sadhu had brought the design of this temple from Varanasi and with the help of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, he constructed this temple near Channi Parat township. Presently, the temple is intact. The idols of Ram, Sita and Lakshman are in the temple. The walls of the temple are full of beautiful paintings of Krishna with Gopis apart from the Darbars of the Rajas. One painting of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is also available on the walls of the temple. The temple is about 15 kms from Sunderbani. Two melas are organized at this temple on 7th February and 7th July every year. People organize Havan, for the prosperity of the mankind. Presently, the temple is located on Solki road. It is existing in a solitary place because the old Channi Parat township has been deserted and there are only ruins at site at present.