ALSphere Foundation
Destiny brought me to Jagadhri (Yugandhri, capital city of a medieval Janpad), a small town seeped in ancient history. Situated in Shiwalik foothills Jagadhri-Yamunanagar are twin cities with a vague demarcation. This end is Jagadhri (Ambala side), and that is Yamunanagar (Delhi side). Located on the western banks of river Yamuna, Jagadhri/Yamunanagar link Haryana to Uttar Pradesh and Himachal. There are two inter-state bus stands, Jagadhri and Yamunanagar, and one railway station beside the first post-independence C&W railway workshop.
Known as ‘Brass Town’ worldwide, the twin town has transitioned into an industrial hub with several metal, steel, timber, paper, sugar industries and thermal power plants. Eminent, acclaimed educational institutions and super speciality hospitals also subsist.
Jagadhri is an untouched gem located in the heart of Haryana. It is a house to many ancient temples such as the Lath Mar Mandir, Khera Mandir, Gauri Shankar Mandir, Devi Bhawan Mandir, Guga Madi Mandir, Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, and many more.
A lot of interesting places around pique the interest of the visitors–The Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary; Hathnikund and Tajewla Barrage; Shri Pateleshwar Mahadev Mandir, Gurudwara Sahib and Rang Mahal, Buria; Rinmochan, Kapalmochan, Surya Kund and Gurudwara Sahib in Bilaspur; Shri Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir Chhachhrauli; Shiv Mandir, Bhatouli; Shri Saraswati Udgam Tirth, Adi Badri, and many more. ASI excavations have unearthed ancient coins in the vicinity and the ancient Buddhist Stupa at Chaneti. The Ashoka pillar having Pali inscriptions was originally installed here at Topra Kalan, which was uprooted by Mughal invader Ferozeshah Tughlaq and reinstalled in Delhi.
Life is simple, unpretentious, and relaxed; the vices of modernity have not yet tainted the town. The people have a traditional, rather conservative bent of mind. Ancient customs and rituals are followed with reverence and fervor. Jostling in the meandering lanes of the old part of the city is a unique experience. Fresh fruits and vegetables vendors make this town a food heaven.
Traveling to my college every day from my home familiarized me to the entire route. Timber-laden trolleys, sugarcane bundles precariously overloaded or gigantic sand trollers dripping water are a regular feature on the road. As I travel every day, I have absorbed the scenario, each passing village, the contours of the road, and the changing seasonal crops, indicating the ever-moving cycle of time.
I was welcomed with open arms and engulfed in warmth. I owe gratitude to a number of humble souls who helped me achieve major milestones in life. Having spent a major chunk of my life here, I have an emotional bond with the town.
Dr Suruchi Kalra Choudhary
