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{{Infobox settlement
| name = Banihal
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = Banihal Pass.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Banihal Pass
| pushpin_map = India Jammu and Kashmir#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India
| coordinates = {{coord|33.42|N|75.2|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Administering Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|Union Territory]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of Jammu and Kashmir|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Ramban district|Ramban]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 1647
| population_total = 3900
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| literacy =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], [[Urdu]], [[Hindi]], [[Dogri language|Dogri]], [[English language|English]]<ref name="OfficialLang">{{cite web |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2020/222037.pdf |title=The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020 |publisher=The Gazette of India|date=27 September 2020 |access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020 | work=Rising Kashmir | date=23 September 2020| url=http://risingkashmir.com/news/parliament-passes-jk-official-languages-bill-2020 | access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>
| demographics1_title2 = Spoken
| demographics1_info2 = [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]frr
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|Pincode]]
| postal_code = 182146
| registration_plate = JK19
| website = {{URL|ramban.gov.in}}
| footnotes =
| official_name =
}}

'''Banihal''' is a town and a [[notified area committee]] in [[Ramban district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and union territories of India|union territory]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. It is a rural and hilly area with Kamirwah being one of the most prominent hills. It is located about {{convert|35|km|abbr=on}} away from [[Qazigund]] of [[Anantnag district]] on [[National Highway 44 (India)|NH 44]] (former name [[National Highway 1A (India, old numbering)|NH 1A]] before [[List of National Highways in India by highway number|renumbering]] of all national highways). However, the distance between Banihal and Qazigund is only 18 km by train on the new railway line which is much shorter than the road. The most common language spoken in the region is [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]]; [[Urdu]], Gujjari, Pahari and English being other familiar languages. Banihal forms the main gateway to the valley of Kashmir.

==Etymology==
"Banihal" means blizzard in the Kashmiri language. 
Another view regarding the origin of the name of the place is that the word 'Banihal' has actually been derived from two Kashmiri words viz 'bah' meaning twelve and 'nallhe' meaning a rivulet.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} Twelve rivulets signifying the various brooks flowing through the area and eventually joining the small local river called Nalla Bischlari. 
There is yet another school of thought amongst the locals and some scholars in which the word Banihal is thought of as having a [[Persian language|Persian]] origin.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} "Nihal" in Persian means greenery and hence "Banihal" would imply 'Eternally green' 
In some older texts, it has also been referred to as 'Devgol', meaning the abode of the gods.

==Banihal Pass==
[[File:Top view of highway Banihal by Mutahir Showkat.jpg|thumb|Banihal Pass Top View]]
[[Banihal pass|Banihal Pass]] At {{convert|2832|m|abbr=on}} elevation, the [[Pir Panjal]] mountains connect Banihal with Qazigund on the other side of the mountains. The Pir Panjal mountain range separates the Kashmir valley in the Indian state Jammu and Kashmir from the outer Himalaya and plains to the south. After the closure of the [[Murree]]-[[Muzaffarabad]]-[[Srinagar]] road on the partition of India in 1947, Banihal pass was the only passage from Jammu to Srinagar after independence until 1956 when [[Jawahar Tunnel]] was bored through the [[Pir Panjal range]]. The pass is accessible only in summer and in winters also if there is no heavy snowfall. If there is heavy snowfall during winters the roads are closed for few days until the snow is cleared from the highway.

==Demographics==
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Banihal Town (2011)<ref name="Banihal Town Population">{{cite web|url=https://www.censusindia2011.com/jammu-kashmir/ramban/banihal/banihal-mc-population.html|title=Banihal Town Population|work=Census India|accessdate=11 July 2021}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Islam]]
|value1 = 71.51
|color1 = Green
|label2 = [[Hinduism]]
|value2 = 27.49
|color2 = Orange
|label3 = [[Sikhism]]
|value3 = 0.67
|color3 = Yellow
|label4 = [[Christianity]]
|value4 = 0.23
|color4 = Blue
|label5 = Not Stated
|value5 = 0.1
|color5 = Black
}}

{{As of|2011}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Banihal had a population of 3,900 of which 2,453 (57%) are males while 1,447 (43%) are females. Banihal has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher than the Indian national average of 59.5%; with 66% of the males and 34% of females literate. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. The population of children ages 0-6 is 388 which is 9.95% of the total population. In Banihal Municipal Committee, the Female Sex Ratio is 590 against the state average of 889. Moreover, the Child Sex Ratio in Banihal is around 902 compared to the Jammu and Kashmir state average of 862. The literacy rate of Banihal city is 83.77% higher than the state average of 67.16%. In Banihal, Male literacy is around 91.33% while the female literacy rate is 70.31%.

==Administrative Divisions==

Banihal Tehsil consists of three Naibats: Naibat Tethar (Area 45 square kilometres), Naibat Banihal (Area 85 Square kilometres), Naibat Chambalwas (Area 25 square kilometres)

The total agricultural land in Tethar Naibat is 10.68 square kilometres in which the total irrigated (Aabi Awal Land) is 3.14 square kilometres and the total maize or walnut orchids land is 7.54 square kilometres.

In Banihal Naibat The total agricultural land is 11.48 square kilometres in which the total irrigated (Aabi Awal land) is 3.97 square kilometres and the total maize or walnut orchids land is 7.44 square kilometres.

in Chambalwas Naibat The total agricultural land is 3.87 square kilometres in which the total irrigated (Aabi Awal land) is 0.37 square kilometres and the total maize or walnut orchids land is 3.50 square kilometres.

Linguistic breakdown of Naibats:

Naibat Tethar :
Kashmiri:95% of total population.
and the rest 5% are Gojri speaking.

Naibat Banihal:
Kashmiri: 85%
Gojri:11%
Kakh/Pogli dialect:4%

Naibat Chambalwas:
Kashmiri:15%
Kakh/Pogli dialect:68%
Gojri:17%

Reference:Wadia Chenab Tehzeeb o Saqafat (وادی چناب تہذیب و ثقافت) by Shabir Hussain Shabir
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}

Banihal town has 645 houses and is divided into seven electoral [[ward (electoral subdivision)|wards]].

==Banihal Road Tunnels==
[[File:Chanjloo Banihal by Mutahir Showkat.jpg|thumb|Chanjloo, Banihal.]]

===Existing road tunnel===
A {{convert|2.5|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} tunnel at elevation of {{convert|2194|m|abbr=on}} through Pir Panjal mountain under the Banihal pass connects Banihal with Qazigund on the other side of the mountain. The tunnel named [[Jawahar tunnel]] after the first Prime Minister of India was constructed in early 1950s and commissioned in December 1956 to ensure snow-free passage throughout the year. However, it remains closed for a few weeks in winter due to snow avalanches. It was designed for 150 vehicles per day in either direction but now used by more than 7,000 vehicles per day in both directions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mod.nic.in/Samachar/mar5/html/army.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901201546/http://mod.nic.in/samachar/mar5/html/army.htm |archive-date=2012-09-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Therefore, a new wider and longer tunnel has been planned at a lower elevation.

Jawahar tunnel is maintained by [[Border Roads Organisation|Border Road Organisation]] (BRO) of the Indian army and guarded 24x7 by the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), which also monitors it by CCTVs as the tunnel is vital for the Kashmir valley. The tunnel used to be closed to civilian traffic from midnight to 08:00 until 2009. Now it is open 24 hours a day.

===Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel===
Construction of a new {{convert|8.45|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} [[Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel]] started in 2011 to widen [[National Highway 44 (India)|NH 44]] (former name [[National Highway 1A (India, old numbering)|NH 1A]] before [[List of National Highways in India by highway number|renumbering]] of all national highways) to four lanes. It is a double tube tunnel consisting of two parallel tunnels – one for each direction of travel. Each tunnel is 7 metres wide and has two lanes of the road. The two tunnels are interconnected by a passage every 500 metres for maintenance and emergency evacuation. The tunnel has forced ventilation for extracting smoke and stale air and infusing fresh air. It has state of the art monitoring and control systems for security.

The new tunnel's average elevation at 1,790 m is 400 m lower than the existing [[Jawahar tunnel]]'s elevation and has reduced the road distance between Banihal and Qazigund by 30 km. The new tunnel is also less prone to snow avalanches as it is at a lower elevation. The vehicles have to pay toll tax to use the tunnel. The Southern portal (end) of the tunnel is at {{coord|33.4895|75.1729|scale:500|display=inline}} and the Northern portal (end) of the tunnel is at {{coord|33.5646|75.1867|scale:500|display=inline}}.

The boring of the entire 8.5 km tunnel was completed on 20 May 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kashmirtimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=79343|title=Banihal-Qazigund road tunnel opening likely next year: NHAI - Kashmir Times}}</ref> The tunnel was inaugurated on 24th April, 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theprint.in/india/pm-inaugurates-lays-foundation-stone-of-projects-worth-rs-20k-cr-in-j-k/928865/ | title=PM inaugurates, lays foundation stone of projects worth Rs 20k cr in J-K | date=24 April 2022 }}</ref>

==Banihal Rail Tunnel==
A new 11.215 km (7 miles) long Banihal-Qazigund tunnel (also known as [[Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel|Pir Panjal railway tunnel]]) for the [[Jammu–Baramulla line]] connecting Bichleri Valley of Banihal with Qazigund area of [[Kashmir Valley]] has been constructed. The tunnel is 8.40 m wide with a height of 7.39 m. There is a {{convert|3|m|ft|adj=mid|-wide|spell=in}} road along the length of the tunnel for the maintenance of railway tracks and emergency relief. The boring was completed in October 2011, its lining and laying of rail tracks were completed in the next year and a trial run commenced at the end of 2012. Commercial runs started from 27 June 2013 reducing the distance between [[Quazigund]] and Banihal by 17 km (from 35 km by road to 17.5 km by train).<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-railways-pir-panjal-tunnel-kashmir-valley-asia-second-longest-tunnel/1/239901.html |title = Indian Railways makes history, runs train through Asia's second-longest tunnel}}</ref>

The tunnel's average elevation at {{convert|1760|m|abbr=on}} is {{convert|440|m|abbr=on}} below the existing road tunnel.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://usbrl.org/aboutus.php |title = Welcome to Northern Railway Construction Organization (USBRL Project), INDIA}}</ref> The rail tunnel facilitates transportation during winters when inclement weather forces closure of the road tunnel and Srinagar-Jammu highway. [[Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel]] is India's longest and [[Asia]]'s third longest railway tunnel (28 km long [[Taihang Tunnel]] in China is the longest and 21 km long [[Wushaoling Tunnel]] in Gansu, China is the second longest).

The north portal of the Banihal railway tunnel is at {{coord|33.5617942|75.1988626|scale:500000|display=inline}} and the south portal is at {{coord|33.463203|75.193992|scale:500000|display=inline}}.

==Banihal railway station==
[[File:Kashmir railway line near Banihal railway station.jpg|thumb|Banihal railway station (2014)]]
[[Banihal railway station]] is situated at {{convert|1702|m|abbr=on}} above mean sea level. It was commissioned on 26 June 2013 and passenger trains run from Banihal to Budgam. The railway network in Kashmir from Banihal to [[Baramulla]] is now 137 km.
Five trains run daily from Banihal to Baramulla.
Until the 148 km [[Katra, Jammu and Kashmir|Katra]]-Banihal section of Jammu–Baramulla line gets constructed, expected to be completed by 2018, people can travel from [[Jammu Tawi]] or [[Udhampur]] to Banihal by road and take the train from Banihal to Srinagar. The train service from Banihal To [[Budgam]] was stopped on 5 August 2019 after the [[Abrogation of Article 35A]], and it hasn’t been resumed for the normal commuters since then it was only resumed once with 4 coaches for a special documentary shoot.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-09|title=Frozen Kashmir Rail: Once In Last 10 Months, 4 Coaches Had A Special Run For Shooting A Documentary|url=https://kashmirlife.net/frozen-kashmir-rail-once-in-last-10-months-4-coaches-had-a-special-run-for-shooting-a-documentary-257441/|access-date=2021-01-17|website=Kashmir Life|language=en-GB}}</ref> Indian Railways resumed train operations in Kashmir valley on Banihal-Baramulla section from 22 February 2021, with two services operating initially.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/train-services-resume-in-kashmir-after-11-months-1100-travel-on-first-day-3462869.html|title=Train Services Resume in Kashmir After 11 Months; 1,100 Travel on First Day|date=22 February 2021 }}</ref>

==Historical references==
According to the [[Rajatarangini]] (C-1000-1011 AD) – a chronicle that recorded the history of Kashmir and its Kingdoms and Kings, Banihal was known as ‘Vishalta’ in the 11th Century and was a very narrow mountain valley which was used as an escape route by revolting Princes, rebel Chieftains, and even conspirators from Kashmir. 

Banihal is the metamorphosed form of ancient Banashala, an appellation that was in vogue even in the time of Kalhan Pandit (1128 to 1149 CE) who was the first historian to have written the most authentic historical account of Kashmir in his celebrated "Raj Tarangini". He mentions that this '''mountain pass''' in Pir Panchal range connecting Shahabad pargana in north to '''the town''' in its south(now called Banihal) bore the same name. In 1130 AD, when Jayasimha was the ruler of Kashmir, Bikshachar nick named Bhikshu, took refuge in the castle of Banashala which was held by the then Khasa Chief. The castle itself had been besieged by the Royal troops who flung stones from catapults and showered arrows on the castle. In retaliation Bikshachar and his men rolled down stones/boulders from the castle on the Royal troops. Ultimately he was betrayed by the Khasa lords and killed by Jayasimha's men.<ref>book VIII, verse 1665-66, RAJTARNGINI of Kalhana translated and quoted by Sir Aurel Stein at page - 131 Vol II of Kalhana's Rajtarangini A Chronicle of Kings of Kashmir and Note-41, page 392 Vol II of the same book</ref> 

In the 11th Century, a small fort called ‘Bansalla’ also existed below the old Banihal Pass. The Bansalla Fort belonged to the 11th Century ruler of Vishalta the Khasa Lord Bhagika who was the son-in-law of the Lord of Buddha Tikka. 

Pandit Sahib Ram, who in his book "Tirthas" copies [[Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak]]'s notes, metamorphosizes the Sanskrit name of village Banihal from Bhanusita or Bhanusata, i.e., rocks of the Sun or land of the Sun. 

[[Aurel Stein]] on his commentary on [[Kalhana]]'s Rajatarangini describes the place differently. According to him, Visalata or Banihal must be identified with the valley drained by rivulet Bischlari.

==Climate==
{{Weather box
| location = Banihal (1981–2010, extremes 1962–2012)
| metric first = Y
| single line = Y
| Jan record high C = 22.6
| Feb record high C = 25.3
| Mar record high C = 29.0
| Apr record high C = 31.8
| May record high C = 35.2
| Jun record high C = 36.3
| Jul record high C = 34.6
| Aug record high C = 32.2
| Sep record high C = 32.3
| Oct record high C = 32.0
| Nov record high C = 27.9
| Dec record high C = 23.8
| year record high C = 36.3
| Jan high C = 10.6
| Feb high C = 11.9
| Mar high C = 16.7
| Apr high C = 22.4
| May high C = 25.9
| Jun high C = 28.7
| Jul high C = 28.6
| Aug high C = 28.3
| Sep high C = 27.4
| Oct high C = 24.2
| Nov high C = 19.3
| Dec high C = 14.1
| year high C = 21.5
| Jan low C = 0.0
| Feb low C = 1.3
| Mar low C = 4.6
| Apr low C = 8.4
| May low C = 11.3
| Jun low C = 14.5
| Jul low C = 17.4
| Aug low C = 17.1
| Sep low C = 12.9
| Oct low C = 6.9
| Nov low C = 3.5
| Dec low C = 1.5
| year low C = 8.3
| Jan record low C = -12.0
| Feb record low C = -10.0
| Mar record low C = -6.4
| Apr record low C = -0.7
| May record low C = 3.0
| Jun record low C = 6.3
| Jul record low C = 10.3
| Aug record low C = 8.7
| Sep record low C = 5.1
| Oct record low C = 0.8
| Nov record low C = -2.1
| Dec record low C = -13.6
| year record low C = -13.6
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 175.1
| Feb rain mm = 226.8
| Mar rain mm = 243.3
| Apr rain mm = 123.7
| May rain mm = 94.9
| Jun rain mm = 45.7
| Jul rain mm = 93.4
| Aug rain mm = 92.7
| Sep rain mm = 66.3
| Oct rain mm = 40.9
| Nov rain mm = 50.5
| Dec rain mm = 96.9
| year rain mm = 1350.1
| Jan rain days = 7.0
| Feb rain days = 8.6
| Mar rain days = 9.8
| Apr rain days = 7.4
| May rain days = 7.2
| Jun rain days = 4.3
| Jul rain days = 6.6
| Aug rain days = 6.1
| Sep rain days = 3.8
| Oct rain days = 2.4
| Nov rain days = 2.6
| Dec rain days = 4.7
| year rain days = 70.5
|time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 54
| Feb humidity = 55
| Mar humidity = 50
| Apr humidity = 46
| May humidity = 48
| Jun humidity = 48
| Jul humidity = 61
| Aug humidity = 65
| Sep humidity = 58
| Oct humidity = 48
| Nov humidity = 44
| Dec humidity = 47
|year humidity = 52
|source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]]<ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| title = Station: Banihal Climatological Table 1981–2010
| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = January 2015
| pages = 85–86
| access-date = 15 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M74
| access-date = 15 March 2020}}</ref>
}}

==Gallery==
[[File:Tanjmaidan.jpg|thumb|Tanjmaidan, Khairkoot]][[File:Banihal hill.jpg|thumb|Hill named Kamirwah in Banihal town (photograph taken from Banihal railway station)]]
[[File:Banihal2.jpg|thumb]]
[[File:A view of a local river.jpg|thumb|The local Rivulet Bischlari]]

==Transport==
===Road===
Banihal is very well-connected by road to other places in Jammu and Kashmir and India by the [[National Highway 44 (India)|NH 44]]. The [[Jawahar Tunnel]] between Banihal and Qazigund connects the Jammu division with Kashmir division through Banihal. The new [[Banihal Qazigund Road Tunnel]] will be opened in 2021 which will shorten the distance between Banihal and Qazigund by 16 kilometres.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brighterkashmir.com/banihal-qazigund-tunnel-trial-run-for-hmvs-conducted-successfully|title=Banihal-Qazigund Tunnel: Trial run for HMVs conducted successfully|work=Brighter Kashmir|accessdate=11 July 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Banihal Railway station.jpg|thumb|Banihal Railway station in winter.]]

===Rail===
[[Banihal railway station]] is located 2 kilometres from the main town. It is part of the [[Jammu–Baramulla line]]. The Katra-Banihal section of the [[Jammu–Baramulla line]] will be completed by December 2022 which will allow trains from [[Jammu Tawi railway station|Jammu Tawi]] to directly reach Banihal and further into Kashmir Valley.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/indian-railways-most-challenging-project-to-connect-kashmir-with-rest-of-india-to-be-completed-by-dec-2022/2151040/|title=Indian Railways' most challenging project to connect Kashmir with the rest of India to be completed by Dec 2022|work=Financial Express|accessdate=11 July 2021}}</ref>

===Air===
The nearest airport is [[Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport|Srinagar International Airport]] located at a distance of 110 kilometres.

==See also==
*[[Srinagar Jammu National Highway]]
*[[National Highway 44 (India)|NH 44]]
*[[Banihal Pass]]
*[[Verinag]]
*[[Anantnag]]
*[[Doda, Jammu and Kashmir|Doda]]
*[[Nowgam, Anantnag|Nowgam]]
*[[Sangaldan]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Jammu and Kashmir topics}}
{{Municipalities of Jammu and Kashmir}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Ramban district]]

Banihal - Revision history

UpdateBot at 09:59, 13 June 2022