Geography

Lies 32° 57' 50.50" N 75° 58' 48.88" E. There are most famous mountain peaks/Dhars in
Bhalessa like Mehlwar Pass, which rise to a height of 7705 ft.above sea level. The area is
endowed with vast wealth of natural beauty and resources. Full with natural
endownments, scenic splendour, places of tourist interest, Worship, round the year snow
claded mountain peaks and challenging tracks allure the adventurers and trekkers.The
area has good potential for tourism including pilgrim and adventure tourism, The Kalgoni
Temple, Durga Maa shrine at Tipri khaljugasar deserve special mention here. owing to its
captivating scenic splendour, pilgrim centres and lofty mountain peaks. Unfortunately,
there area is in shambles due to unexploration. The area need to be explored.
In these areas there is lot of snow fall during the winter season and the summer is
as pleasant as Kashmir. These places are worth visiting in the winters for enjoying the
Snowfall specially.
Due to its varying physical features, Bhalessa does not have a uniform climate.
The climate is temperate Average rainfall in area and other parts of Doda has been
recorded as 35.08 inches per year which is lowest as compared to other areas of Jammu
Division. Due to low average annual precipitation, the area has been declared as Drought
prone.

Culture:
The District is having mixed culture and the people are speaking several
dialects, viz Mixed Kashmir, Gojri, and hindu’s speak Pahri. Overtime, there is
an evidence of migration of some pandits from Kashmir valley. The area is full of
Rajputs, Manhas, Bhagat, Batt, Maliks, Mir’s, Rathers, Shiekhs, wani’s and many
more.
“KOUD” is a popular cultural festival celebrated in Bhalessa.

Unexplored Beauty
Unfortunately, absolutely nothing has been done by Govt. so far since independence to
develop tourism in

How to reach Doda

District Headquarter Doda is located about 175 Kms. from Jammu and about 200 Kms. from
Srinagar. The District is having mountaneous terrains. There are two National Highways
connecting the District. These National Highways are NH-1A and NH-1 B. The general
approach to the whole of the District is through road transport i.e. Taxi, Delux Buses etc.
Visitors coming from other parts of the country can also utilize the Flight or Train services upto
Jammu / Srinagar. From Jammu / Srinagar, road transport services are easily available to
reach District Head Quarter Doda and to other Tourist Spots of District Doda. One can have
the view of River Chenab while approaching to Doda, Bhadarwah, Kishtwar etc.

Population
 Gandoh -do- 2001 Census 58245

Name of the Block Bhalessa(Gandoh)

Head Quarter Gandoh
Number of Villages 66
Number of Panchayats 19
Tehsil Gandoh
Assembly Segment Bhadarwah/Inderwal
Forest Area (Hect.) 270
Irrigated Area (Hect.) 56
Un-Irrigated Area (Hect.) 3381
Total Area (Hect.) 3437
Cultivable Waste 2249
Area not available for Cultivation (Hect.) 4311
Grand Total (Hect.) 10267
SC Population 4224
ST Population 10332
Others Population 31519
Total Population 46075
Percentage of Poverty 71
Percentage of Migrant Labour 65
Topography Hilly
Status of Communication Inaccessible

Mailwar Pass: (13097 Feet) at an elevation of 7705 feet ,

Bhalessa Sub Division

The cabinet accorded senction of Gandoh as Sub Division.