Nangal

Nangakl
—  city  —
Nangakl Location of Nangakl in Punjab and India
Coordinates	31°22′N 76°23′E / 31.37°N 76.38°E / 31.37; 76.38Coordinates: 31°22′N 76°23′E / 31.37°N 76.38°E / 31.37; 76.38
Country	India
State	Punjab
District(s)	Rupnagar
Population	40,644 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 326 metres (1,070 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 140124 • Vehicle • PB 74

Nangal is a town 60 km from Rupnagar in the state of Punjab in northwest India. It sits at the foot of the Shiwalik Hills and is surrounded by beautiful hills, the Satluj River and canals. It is an important center for tourists.^[1]

Description

The town was named Nangal when it acquired the land of the villages of Nangal Nikku, Hambewal and Dubbeta. It gained in importance with the starting of construction of the Bhakra Dam on the Satluj River in November 1955. It is a flourishing township at the foot of the Shiwalik Hills, a chain of the Himalayas. Every year, the mighty multi-purpose Bhakra Project which includes, apart from the Bhakra Dam, the Nangal Dam, the Nangal Hydel Channel, and the Ganguwal and Kotla Power Houses surrounded with the natural beauty attracts the vast number of tourists from all parts of India and abroad as well. There are different markets in it,being Jawahar Market, Main Market, Adda Market, GTB Market & Pahari Market. More interesting is that the residential areas of the city are well organized into a block system. The blocks, e.g. G-block have a fixed number of apartments known as Quarters. The second form of residential area, which is a private residential area, is the proprietary owned by the public.The well organized government colonies give a harmonized view to the newcomers visiting the city.

Nangal is home to the late Captain Amol Kalia .He laid down his life fighting Pakistani intruders in Kargil in 1999. He was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra. The local school where he studied is named after him (Captain Amol Kalia Fertilizer Model School). A garden in Nangal Township is also named after Capt Amol Kalia, in honor of his gallantry. Nangal has a number of schools namely Sri Sidh Baba Balak Nath High School, BBMB DAV Public School, NFL Senior Secondary School, Capt. Amol Kalia school, Govt. Model School, Govt. Girls School,Shivalik Model Sr. Sec. School and some private schools as well. There is a 9U block in Nangal.

The town is divided into two parts: Nangal Township and Naya Nangal Township. Nangal Township is blessed with great scenic beauty which is further enhanced by the fact that it is surrounded by water on three sides and foothills of shivaliks on the fourth side. Naya Nangal serves mainly as a fertilizer complex of National Fertilizers Limited (NFL), a public sector undertaking of the Government of India, and from point of view of amenities, natural beauty and cleanliness. It is perhaps the best town in whole India. The Nangal Fertilizer and Heavy Water Factory located here started production in 1961 and was the single largest consumer of electricity from the Bhakra Power House till some years ago. The Heavy Water Plant was shut down later primarily due to national security considerations. Besides this there is a chemical factory named as Punjab Alkalies and Chemicals Limited, Naya Nangal. These two factories has given rise to some more small factories in their vicinity. Due to presence of NFL & PACL Nangal is proud to have biggest Truck and Tanker Unions in India. A new modern avenue i.e. residential colony has been set up by Punjab Small Scale & Export Corp. at Focal Point, Naya Nangal, with all the modern amenities.

The free train service by BBMB Nangal Township goes till Bhakhra dam gives a beautiful views when crawls through the forests and hills. Primarily it is meant for the workers to go to dam but it is open for public use free of cost. Typically it has the pilgrims of 'Baba Balak Nath' shrine who chant the hymns and there is a separate ladies compartment.

Attractions

There is SRI SIDH BABA BALAK NATH DURGA MANDIR loacated near main market. This temple is made by MASTER BIHARI LAL SHARMA JI.This temple is wonderful and peaceful place. The people visit here from different parts of whole country. Towering above Nangal on a hill is located Julfa Mata Temple.

Overlooking Nangal is the Gurudwara Bhabour Sahib, a Sikh place of worship. This Gurudwara, located 5 km from Nangal, presents a majestic view. Guru Gobind Singh is said to have mediated at this spot. Prachin Temple and 1008 Swami Sevanand Giri Maharaj Ashram and are also here. There is Gurdwara Dhan Dhan Baba Buddha (Budha) Sahib Ji at Village Barari, Jawahar Market, Nangal Town Ship. Here Simran & Nitnem is done daily early in the morning i.e. 2 am to 4 am.

Located 4 km from Nangal Township is a temple of Shiva, known as 'Shiv Ashram' situated on the outskirts of the village Mojowal on the Nangal-Bhallan road. This Ashram was founded by Swami Giangiri who is said to have first lived in a small hut near the bank of the Satluj River. There is a free Ayurvedic dispensary as well as a dental clinic in the Ashram. Fairs are held on Maha Shivratri, Nirjale Ekadashi Vyas Puja every year.

There is a Dharamshala known as Shri Balbahadur Mal Kuthiala Dharamshala situated on the bank of the Satluj River which freely allows visitors. Inside the Dharamshala there is a temple of Lakshmi Narain which is run by the Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Nangal Township. A vivid example of secularism is the existence of Lakshmi- Narain Temple and Gurudwara Ghat Sahib with a common wall. The Gurudwara also houses a school on its campus.

A few kilometres away from Gurudwara Shri Bhabour Sahib is Gurudwara Shri Nanaksar. On the 7th of each month there is a well attended function in the Gurudwara Sahib.

Nangal is a city and a municipal council in Rupnagar district in the Indian state of PUNJAB (An individual from nangal belongs to himachal pradesh )

On the bank of Satluj is situated a small but beautiful township Naya Nangal where employees of the National Fertilizer Limited (NFL) live. This township was built in 1950's by a British architect.^{[citation needed]} Near to Nangal Dam there is a historic temple of SRI BABA UDHO JI MAHARAJ (Village Kathera), where on every Sunday LANGAR is organised by the individual people for poor people.

Geography

Nangal is nestled among Shivalik hills and spread over both sides of river Sutlej which here forms a beautiful lake,formed due to construction of Nangal dam.

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census^[2], Nangal had a population of 40,644. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Nangal has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 74%. In Nangal, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Accommodations

Suitable facilities have been provided in various rest houses for the boarding and lodging of visitors.

References

1. ^ http://www.surfindia.com/travel/himachal-pradesh/bhakra-nangal-dam.html
2. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.